ARMITAGE Percival George

Percival George was born in 1896, the eldest of four sons of Percy Allen Armitage and Ruth Caroline (nee Fitzpatrick). The family was originally from Dublin in Ireland. They were early pioneers of the timber industry in the Cooran, Pomona and Cooroy areas.

Percival George Armitage served in World War I as a private, Service Number 2381, in the 47th. Battalion AIF. He enlisted in Brisbane in March 1916 and sailed from Pinkenba on HMS Schrang. He arrived in England on 16 December 1916 and was sent to France in February 1917. He was wounded at Messines on 6 June 1917. He returned to Australia, arriving home on 19 November 1917 and was honourably discharged on 5 February 1918.

GYMPIE TIMES 8 Dec 1917
Skyring Creek
Welcome home Pte Impey and P Armitage two district boys invalided home from the Front.

Percy kept a photo of beautiful English nurse of whom he said, “That’s the love of my life”. Because of the shrapnel wounds in his leg, it was to be amputated at the knee. The nurse said, ‘No, no we’re going to fix that leg’. “He always thought this woman was absolutely beautiful. He had one leg skinnier than the other but it couldn’t stop him doing whatever he wished,” said his daughter, Irene Stollznow.

“His family was so pleased to have him back and everyone looked after him because he had been to the War. Grandpa [Percy Allen Armitage] thought he was wonderful, his soldier son.” Irene believes that he later served with the Militia or Defence Corps, to defend the coast in the event of an invasion.

After returning from the war, Percy worked for the Noosa Shire Council. He later worked as a shop assistant at the time when they wore big white aprons and groceries were delivered to the householders. Percival George Armitage married Katrina May (nee Jensen) on 24 July, 1923. They lived in Sandy Street, Pomona. He passed away in Brisbane in 1975 aged 79.
Thanks to the late Irene Stollznow
Extracted from ‘Teamsters’ Pioneer Families of Cooroy & District (Ed. Betty Sutton)

Pomona State School Roll of Honor, Pomona State School, Station Street, Pomona

Shire of Noosa Roll of Honor, Shire Council Chambers, Pelican Street, Tewantin