1920-1924c:  David John Armstrong (later John David Armstrong) would inevitably have been conspicuous amongst the residents of East Melbourne.  He was a man of short stature growing eventually to a height of 3 feet 6 inches (106.6 cm).  He became a popular sideshow and vaudeville performer known as ‘The Australian Tom Thumb’. (There were a number of performers who were given this title.)  He was born in Carlton in 1857 but later moved with his family to Fitzroy. He made his debut performance in 1870 at the Prahran Town Hall, where he sang a number of songs in a ‘very small’ voice.  He was 14 years old and 34 ins (86.36 cm) tall.  His voice grew along with his height and he performed in a wide variety of venues, including George Coppin’s Theatre Royal. He made an international tour in 1879-80 visiting several countries including, of course, England.

The Mercury (Tasmania) of 10 July 1880 quoted a journalist writing in the English press, ‘I must award to Mr. Armstrong the palm for being the most manly Liliputian, with the most perfect figure and strongest voice I have ever met - in fine, a giant seen through the wrong end of a lorgnette.’

It was in England where David was involved in a memorable incident. He recalled it in an interview with The Herald on his 79th birthday: 

"I was starring in Windsor (England) at the time”, he said today. "For my act I used to dress up as a coach driver and drive four little goats, harnessed to a tiny carriage. One day, to advertise the show, I was driving along a street in Windsor when I saw the Royal Coach coming from the opposite direction. The Queen's horses took fright, and although I pulled my cart into the side of the road, they would not come past me. The Queen looked out the window, smiled at me, and then spoke to one of her attendants. He walked across to my coach and said: 'Her Majesty wishes the little gentleman to pass on’”