Published on Friday, 22 October 2021 at 10:47:26 AM
A memorial plaque along the Avenue of Honour containing incorrect details about the passing of former Navy recruit Donald Armstrong will be corrected in a commemorative ceremony next month.
Born on 1 December 1915, Albany stoker Donald ‘Dinkie’ George Armstrong was known locally as an exceptionally strong swimmer and ‘ardent enthusiast of surfing’.
On his 24th birthday, Donald enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy alongside his brother Alexander where they joined their family’s requisitioned vessel the HMAS Bonthorpe in Fremantle.
After two years of sweeping the Australian coast for naval mines, Donald was granted two days leave.
It was during this time that Donald’s body was tragically found in Fremantle Harbour on 11 May 1942.
The memorial plaque created in 1964 incorrectly states that the stoker had drowned in France rather than Fremantle.
On 12 November 2021 at 11am the Armstrong family will unveil a correctly cast plaque in Donald Armstrong’s memory.
Princess Royal Fortress Curator David Theodore said the original memorial plaque was well overdue for an update.
“It’s important that we correct the information on the memorial plaque, not only for historical accuracy but as a sign of respect for the time that Armstrong served in the Australian Royal Navy,” he said.
“We are honoured to unveil this plaque alongside the commemorations of Remembrance Day, it makes it a truly special time to remember those who served.”
In attendance at the ceremony will be crew off HMAS Perth III, HMAS Perth National Association WA President Peter Jarvis, as well as representatives of the Armstrong family.
The Armstrong family welcome any other relatives to attend the ceremony.
The public are also invited to the RSL Albany Sub-Branch’s Remembrance Day Service, held on Thursday 11 November at 10.30am in York Street.
For more information, head to www.nationalanzaccentre.com.au/anzac-albany
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