Sergeant G. E. Armstrong, MM; Bunnythorpe; born Palmerston North, 29 Jun 1920; tractor driver. (Source: Cody, J.F. NZ Engineers, Middle East. p.640.)

'The vital question of getting tanks and support arms across the Uso was dealt with by putting down an Ark at a suitable point on 25 Battalion's front. As soon as the material was at the site a company of infantry formed a protective screen and the artillery laid on harassing fire, both to cover the noise of the working dozer and to protect the infantry screen.

On 26 Battalion's front a suitable ford had been located, and after the banks had been dozed to get the tanks over, Somerfield track was laid for wheeled traffic. The company war diary mentions that there were no casualties but some lucky escapes. Sapper Armstrong could fairly be included among the latter. He was the dozer driver who broke down the riverbanks preparatory to the track being laid. There was no covering party for this job and not sufficient artillery fire to drown the noises of the dozer, which attracted considerable mortar fire. An enemy party got close enough to use their pistols, whereupon Armstrong retired to the cover of some trees until the patrol's departure, when the work was resumed. He received an MM for his tenacity and devotion to duty.' (Source: Cody, J.F. NZ Engineers, Middle East. p. 640.) AWMM