Search results Next record Previous record English Māori George Kent Armstrong Born 4 February 1915 - Died 30 November 1982 PDF Key details Service number34131 AWMM Also known as Armed force / branchArmy AWMM Last rankLieutenant Colonel/Military AWMM New Zealand Engineers, 27 Mechanical Equipment Company AWMM WarWorld War II, 1939-1945 AWMM Enquire Lay a poppy Portrait from Weekly News; 26 April 1944 - This image may be subject to copyright Hide sources Show empty fields Identity About Contribute › Title ForenamesGeorge Kent AWMM SurnameArmstrong AWMM Ingoa Also known as Service number34131 AWMM GenderMale AWMM Iwi Hapū Waka Rohe Religion Images and documents Images Contribute › Documents Contribute › Civilian life About birth Contribute › Birth4 February 1915 AWMM Dunedin, Otago AWMM Date of birth Place of birth Birth notes Address before enlistmentWW2 Pre 1940-1941 AWMM 553 Highgate, Dunedin AWMM WW2 Pre 1944 AWMM 553 Highgate, Dunedin AWMM Post war occupation Next of kin on embarkationWW2 Mrs. A.S. Armstrong, 553 Highgate, Dunedin (mother) AWMM WW2 Mrs. S.E. Armstrong, H.Q. Orderly Room, R.N.Z.A.F., Wigram (w) AWMM Relationship status Service Wars and conflicts Contribute › WarWorld War II, 1939-1945 AWMM CampaignItaly AWMM Armed force / branchArmy AWMM Service number34131 AWMM Military serviceTerritorial Forces, 1955-57 AWMM New Zealand Engineers, 8 Field Company AWMM Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers Military decorations Contribute › Medals and AwardsCompanion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM DSO: NZ Gazette, 30 April 1946. Citation: "The work of Major Armstrong as OC 27 Mechanical Equipment Company has always been of a very high order. He rendered particularly gallant and valuable service in the recent advance from the Senio to Trieste. In the assault on the Senio there were bulldozers from 27 Mechanical Equipment Company at all six bridge sites spread over a frontage of some three thousand yards. Frequently under heavy shelling and mortaring Major Armstrong moved backwards and forwards across the front setting out and directing the work of his machines. When a dozer was put out of action by shellfire from the right flank Major Armstrong was present and personally assisted in temporary repairs to get the machine in operation again. When later in the night another dozer was more seriously damaged he quickly collected and guided in a reserve machine. The mortar fire was still concentrated on the area, but Major Armstrong remained for almost an hour encouraging the operator and guiding the dozer blade with an electric torch. During the day of 10 April 1945 there were again a number of machines pushing forward on the two axis for the Division. Major Armstrong made early reconnaissances and personally co-ordinated and directed the work of eight bulldozers. On one occasion when moving up to examine the Lugu Canal he came under aimed small arms fire from close range but this did not deter him. Taking advantage of what small cover the ground provided he crawled forward and made an accurate reconnaissance of the site. Since an ordinary bulldozer could not have worked under the machine gun fire, he made contact with the Assault Squadron and led a Sherman dozer in, which soon completed a temporary crossing for the passage of tanks. Our assault bridging depended as much upon bulldozing operations as upon actual bridge construction itself. Therefore in the crossing of the Senio, Santerno, Sillaro and the Gaiana many bulldozers were deployed on the divisional front. Frequently under heavy shelling Major Armstrong moved from site to site, offering advice here and a helping hand there, to ensure that his machines were operated at maximum efficiency. Right through the Piave and beyond Major Armstrong kept his bulldozers up with the forward elements, preparing the way for the advance. He never spared himself and worked long hours night and day, and by his inspiring leadership kept his officers and men cheerfully giving of their best long after they might have been expected to be too tired and exhausted to continue. The work of Major Armstrong was characterised by efficiency, dash and gallantry and the rapid crossing of the many obstacles between the Senio and Piave was in considerable measure due to his outstanding efforts." AWMM Military Cross (MC) AWMM 4 April 1944 AWMM The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Armstrong, George Kent. (Ref. WO 373/5/425). Military Cross. AWMM 1939-1945 Star AWMM Africa Star (8th Army clasp) AWMM Italy Star AWMM War Medal 1939-1945 with oak leaf AWMM New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM Training and Enlistment Contribute › Military training Branch Trade Proficiency EnlistmentWW2 Civil Engineer/Civilian AWMM Occupation before enlistment Age on enlistment Embarkations Contribute › Embarkation detailsWW2 New Zealand Engineers AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM Prisoner of war Contribute › Capture details Days interned Liberation date Liberation Repatriation POW liberation details POW serial number Medical history Contribute › Medical notes Last known rank Contribute › Last rankLieutenant Colonel/Military AWMM New Zealand Engineers, 27 Mechanical Equipment Company AWMM Biographical information Biographical information Contribute › Officer Commanding (OC) of 27 Mechanical Equipment Co., NZE, January - June 1945.Served as Commander Royal Engineers (CRE) in Territorial Forces, 1955-57.Maj G. K. Armstrong, DSO, MC, m.i.d.; Dunedin; born NZ 4 Feb 1915; civil engineer; OC 27 Mech Equip Coy Jan-Jun 1945. (Source: Cody, J.F. New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. p.485.)'While the infantry were fighting in the streets of Orsogna, Captain Armstrong was waiting with two dozers behind the rear troop of support armour. The D6 was hit dead centre on the motor and had to be pushed out of the way. Upon the receipt of Hermans' message the D8, operated by Sapper Griffiths, was edged past the stationary tanks, accompanied by Captain Armstrong on foot, and began to bulldoze a track into the demolition and out the far side.Technically the job was not a difficult one, but it required more than the average amount of nerve on the part of the operator as he was working an unprotected machine in the middle of a fierce conflict—and was perched about six feet above ground while everybody else, excluding his commander, was lying as flat as a pancake behind whatever cover could be found. Griffiths' subsequent MM was well merited, as was Captain Armstrong's MC for ‘gallantry and inspiring leadership’.' (Source: Cody, J.F. New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. p. 518.) AWMM Read more Death About death Contribute › Death30 November 1982 AWMM Age 67 AWMM Queenstown, Otago AWMM Date of death Age at death Place of death Cause of death Death notes Cemetery Cemetery name Grave reference Obituary Memorial name Memorial reference Memorials Memorial Contribute › Memorial name Roll of Honour Remember George Kent Armstrong by laying a poppy. George Francis Armstrong George Julius Armstrong George Kent Armstrong George William Armstrong George Wilson Armstrong Lay a poppy for 2021 Leave a note Leave a tribute or memory of George Kent Armstrong Leave a note Contribute › Processing Sources Sources Contribute › External links'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 4 April 1944, p.1588.). Military Cross. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36456/supplements/1588 Further Reference The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Armstrong, George Kent. (Ref. WO 373/5/425). Military Cross. http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C8869806 Further Reference DocumentsSecond New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1942). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 5 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1941 to 30 September, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM Cody, J.F. (1961). New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM pp.482, 485, 487, 502, 507n, 518, 538, 592, 662, 666, 682, 700. AWMM Kay, R. (1967). Italy. Volume 2. From Cassino to Trieste. Dept. of Internal Affairs, Historical Publications Branch, Wellington, N.Z. AWMM p.352. 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