Biography
Lieutenant Sheila Armstrong NFX16459 Australian Army Medical Women’s Services (AAMWS)
Sheila attended Presbyterian Ladies’ College at Pymble as a day girl and was a Prefect and Hockey Captain in her final year, 1930. She was also a participant in the Service Corps and regularly reported on their activities in the School Magazine.
Sheila’s cards and letters to Miss Knox during the war tell of her service in New Guinea. She also advised Miss Knox that another PLC student, Blanche Downs, was based with her at the 2/7 Australian General Hospital.
Sheila never married and passed away on 20 August 1990, aged 79.
Letters and Photos
NFX 146459
Lieut Sheila Armstrong
2/7 Aust. Gen.Hospital
A.I.F. Australia
10-1-44
Dear Miss Knox
Once again I was extremely glad to receive Christmas Greetings from you and the girls of P.L.C.
It certainly gives one a grand feeling to be remembered.
You may be interested to know that I am in New Guinea and have been here for about four and a half months.
There are many spots of interest which we have visited. I really think that Salamaua and the Markham Valley have the most appeal for me. The Markham Valley is really very beautiful in a rugged kind of way and it is very easy to visualise the parachute landing which took place there.
Salamaua of course is full of interest, and when one is lucky enough to visit these places with the lads, who were here in the early days and the scenes are painted vividly, the place holds a great deal of appeal.
Blanche Downes is also at this unit with me. We have been lucky since we both joined the Army, as we have been together in two units now. Quite often we talk of the days when we were at school.
I would be very pleased if you would convey my thanks to the girls and I would like to wish you all greetings for 1945
Yours sincerely
Sheila Armstrong
