Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a musician by trade, Joseph William Armstrong was 25 years and single when enlisted on the 22nd of July 1915 in the 29th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 1795. The Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 'Demosthenes' on the 29th of October 1915. Admitted to No. 4 Australian General Hospital, Tel-el-Kebir on the 4th of March 1916 and admitted to 1st Dermatological Hospital on the 9th of March 1916. Discharged ex 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital on the 24th of March 1916. Wounded in action in France on the 9th of August 1916; wounded on the 5th of September 1916 in London. Embarked return for Australia per H.T. 'Corinthic' ex England on the 10th of January 1918 suffering from Neurosis. Disembarked on the 3rd of March1918. Discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 11th of April 1918. Tree No.1756