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Eville Cumming Armstrong was born on 12th May 1925 in Sydney NSW, the only child of Geoffrey and Eulalie Armstrong.  Her education took place as a boarder at the Presbyterian Ladies College in Armidale NSW.  After completing her education she worked as a secretary.

At age 18 Eville enlisted for WW2 with the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) at Paddington NSW on 14th September 1943.  She’s described as being 5ft 4ins with a fair complexion, blue eyes and fair hair.  Her service number was NF464687, her rank Private and she was assigned to the 2nd AWAS Training Battalion based at Headquarters at Victoria Barracks in Paddington, Sydney NSW. 

AWAS worked as Drivers in Car Companies and regimental establishments.  They graphicdrove cars, 3 ton trucks, Jeeps, Bren Gun Carriers, amphibious vehicles, ambulances and attended to the maintenance of vehicles.  They worked in watercraft workshops and in AEME repair shops: all duties connected with Signals, in the Broadcasting Unit, in Entertainment Unit, photo unit, in Field Trail Companies. They manned A/A guns and Searchlights and they worked as hairdressers (women only), as mess and kitchen staff including several butchers and as interpreters.  Over 3,600 served with the Royal Australian Artillery and they manned the Fixed Defences of Australia and 3,600 served in the Australian Corps of Signals.

In mid-November 1943 Eville proceeded for duty to the 15 Heavy Anti-Aircraft (HAA) Battery at Iron Cove, Sydney, which was part of the defences of Sydney.  Her duties would have included manning the AA guns and the searchlights. 

In late January 1944 she was detached to attend No. 19 Wheeled Wing Course at the Mechanical Transport Training Depot at Ingleburn Camp NSW.  It was here that she trained in driving 3 ton trucks and making mechanical repairs.  Upon completion of this course she briefly re-joined the 15 HAA Battery then in mid-March 1944 was appointed to Special Group II as a Motor Transport Driver.  She took 3 weeks leave in November 1944 then on 11th January 1945 she transferred to 1st Australian Signals Training Battalion at Bonegilla Camp VIC.  This was later absorbed into 2nd Australian Signals Training Battalion. 

In mid-July 1945 she proceeded to the Physical and Recreation Training (P & RT) School at Darley Camp VIC which was a 6 weeks course equivalent of a 3 year university course.  This was a new school for training AWAS and AAMWS Officer Cadets as physical training leaders and those who completed the course, in addition to the duties they normally perform at their units, were responsible on their return for physical and recreational training.  The course not only included exercises and games but a key feature of this physical training was relaxation, not only of muscles but of mind.  Upon completing this course Eville re-joined her unit.  She took 4 weeks leave without pay from mid-November to mid-December 1945 then re-joined her unit. 

On 16th April 1946 Eville married James Morton Foster at St Paul’s Church of England at Rose Bay, NSW.  James was from Melbourne and was serving in Eville’s unit, the 1st Australian Signals Training Battalion, at Bonegilla Camp.  Ten days after their wedding Eville proceeded to Balcombe Camp VIC and was discharged on 10th May 1946, 2 days before her 21st birthday.  James was at discharged on 14th June 1946. 

Eville and James lived in Walcha NSW not far from “Glengarry”, the property where she grew up at Walcha Road.  They welcomed their first 2 children…Eville Faye…known as Faye, and Geoffrey (Geoff).  The family then moved to Brisbane in 1952 where 5 more children welcomed…Jeanette (deceased), Lorraine, John Christopher…known as Chris, Alison and James…known as Jamie.

Eville worked for many years with the Meals on Wheels in the Chelmer, Yeronga and Redland Bay areas.  While living at Point Talburpin, Redland Bay, she was an active member and Treasurer on the Point Talburpin Residents Association as well as a member of Neighbourhood Watch and a Bonsai Club.  She was also very active with All Saints Anglican Church and she started the All Saints Playgroup in 1998 and continued that until she retired from Community work in 2004.  The Playgroup remained active until 2007.

Eville passed away on 12th November 2013 aged 88.  A Memorial Plaque for her and James is found at the Redland Bay Cemetery, Brisbane QLD.  She was survived by 6 children, 9 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.  On the 4th April 2015 Eville’s ashes were scattered on the property “Glengarry” where she grew up at Walcha Road NSW along with the remaining ashes of her husband James.

Eville Cumming Armstrong was awarded for service in WW2 the War Medal 1939-1945 and the Australia Service Medal.   

Respectfully submitted by Sue Smith 20th November 2023.

Sources

https://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/IMP0149b.htm

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/rendition/nla.news-article11360037.txt