Captain W A (Pat) Armstrong MC

William Maurice Armstrong was born in Sligo on 20 Aug 1889. He was the eldest child and only son of Captain Marcus Beresford Armstrong of Chaffpool House, Co. Sligo & Moyaliffe Castle, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, the latter becoming the family home. His mother was Rosalie Cornelia Maude. He was educated at Eton where he became known as Pat. After Sandhurst he was commissioned into the 10th Hussars, on 23 Feb 1910. He served in India and South Africa and was sent to England to attend a course in equitation at the Cavalry School at Netheravon. He was promoted to lieutenant on 1 Jan 1914 and went to France as a permanent orderly officer with 2nd Cavalry Brigade, in action at Marne and the Aisne. He was appointed ADC to General de Lisle, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 10th Hussars, however, were in the 3rd Division. There was heavy fighting on Messines Ridge and de Lisle’s HQ had to be evacuated. But at Ypres in October 1914 Pat Armstrong was almost killed when the building he was living in was flattened by shellfire. His letters home became increasingly despondent with the horrors of trench warfare and constant shelling. So he must have been relieved when he was told that he was going to the Dardanelles with de Lisle who had been given command of the 29th Division.
Armstrong was responsible for the transportation of horses to Gallipoli and arrived there on 24 June 1915. The excitement of being in a new theatre of war did not last long as the heat and flies made life difficult. He also suffered from severe diarrhoea at least twice and the stench of death was horrendous. He survived that experience but had to return to France where he won the Military Cross, but was killed on 23 May 1917 at Pas de Calais. He is buried at Fauberg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras. The photo shows him in staff service dress but with a regimental cap badge.

Regimental Details | Soldiers