| Surname: | Armstrong |
| Initials: | R N |
| Rank: | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Army Number: | 345002 |
| Notes: | CMP. MM. Formerly Cavalry of the Line (Dragoons). Discharged to Commission. London Gazette 37041, page 2089, 20/4/45. General List. The undermentioned to be 2/Lt's: 17/1/45/ 406689 WOII Robert Nixon Armstrong.(345002) from CMP. See No. 406689 WO II R N Nixon for more details. Provost Officer. General List. London Gazette 40183, 3126, 28/5/1954. Corps of Royal Military Police. The undermentioned from Gen List to be Lt, 29/5/1954, retaining his present seniority, R N Armstrong, MM (345002). London Gazette 40247, 4554, 6/8/1954. Corps of Royal Military Police. Short Serv commns. Lt R N Armstrong, MM. (345002) to be Capt, 6/8/1954. London Gazette 40879, 5289, 18/9/1956. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army Reserve of Officers. Short Serv Commns. Capt R H Armstrong, MM. (345002) from Active List to be Capt, 1/9/1956. retaining his present seniority. London Gazette 43271, 2378, 17/3/1964. Corps of Royal Military Police. Regular Army Reserve of Officers. Capt R N Armstrong (345002) having attained the age limit, relinquishes his commn, 15/3/1964, and is re granted the hon rank of Capt. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | General Service Medal 1918 (London Gazette: Medal Roll WO 100/501 Page: 260 Jan. 24, 1940) |
| Citation: | Clasp: Palestine 1936 - 1939. |
| Decoration: | Military Medal (London Gazette: LG 34599 Page: 1372 March 26, 1942) |
| Citation: | Middle East. Escape & Evasion.204 Pro Coy. CMP. 406689 WS/Sgt. Robert Armstrong.Citation: Sgt. Armstrong escaped from the P/W cage at BERLA BARRACKS near BENGASI on the 4th December at 1900 hours, with L/Cpl, CAIRD, 2/ Camerons and Dvr. MURRAY. Escape was prepared by cutting the wire on the 3rd - all except the last two strands - making a final getaway during the changing of the guard on the 4th. The three had mad several individual attempts to escape previously, Sgt. ARMSTRONG getting as far as MECHILIi on one occasion. They had also prepared an escape jointly by digging a hole through the wall. They were betrayed though and the German military police came in, found the hole and, after a search, all their stores of food. They has saved up 5 tins of sardines, some tongue, a small quantity of rice and macaroni, one Italian loaf, 2 tins of cheese and 5 water bottles. When they escaped eventually, they walked right through the barracks, waited for the moon to come up and started off S.W of BENINA, walking past REGIMA towards TECNIS. On the 12/12/1941 they met and Arab between MARUA and SLONTA, who was a great help to them and guided them on their journey. At this point they want South of MECHILI and were finally picked up by troops of the 7th Armd. Division south of BOMBA at 1400 hours on the 16/12/1941. Half-way on their journey they had a most tremendous stroke of luck in finding a miniature ration store containing bully beef and other foot stuffs, obviously left behind by us in our retirement. During the whole of the journey they themselves saw no signs of movement and no new tracks, but the Arabs informed them that guns and armoured cars were going westwards towards BENGHASI. While in BENGHASIi the men worked in food stores, docks, etc. They were detailed every day for different jobs. On the 27th November, Armstrong worked in the docks at unloading a sinking ship. When they left conditions were chaotic. They had been shut up for 5 days, no work had been done and Germans and Italians obviously did not know what do with the prisoners. It was cue to the great courage and unflagging determination of this NCO. was able successfully to escape with this two companions in the face of many hardships and handicaps. They were also observant on their journey and brought back useful information.Recommended by Brigadier J Shearer, DMI. |
Provost Officer Appointments: | |
| No appointments recorded | |