Historical information

An article from the Melbourne Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee Brian Armstrong, a long serving Legatee and past president (1937). He was one of the founding group of Legatees, being enrolled in 1924, and served for 54 years. The Bulletin often published articles on Legatees when they passed away.
John Henry Brian Armstrong was born 23 June 1894 and completed a law degree at Melbourne University. He served with the militia when at University and tried to enlist in December 1915. He was accepted into the Army Medical Corps in April 1916. He served in France and Belgium as a Lieutenant with 22 Infantry Battalion and was wounded near Dernacourt on 24th April 1918. He was wounded again and taken prisoner at Herleville, France on 18 August 1918 when leading a night patrol in an action in which the majority of the party were killed.
For a number of years Brian was a Trustee of the Frances Ormond Estate, which was the genesis of The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT). Along with Legatee Jim Gillespie (and Jim's grandfather) the trustees were identified with all the notable developments of RMIT.
He remained a bachelor his whole life. He was one of the initial archivists of Melbourne Legacy. One of his speeches in 1961 gives an insight into why he became a Legatee. (see 02502)

Significance

A record of the life and service of Legatee Brian Armstrong.

Physical description

Copy of 2 pages from the Legacy Bulletin on the death of Legatee Brian Armstrong in 1978.

Inscriptions & markings

Bulletin No. VAW 2429. 19.9.1978. Pages 1 to 2.