Peter Stevenson's interest in the RACD began when he discoverdd his great uncle's role in the operation. Below is a brief history of his relative John Armstrong.

John was born on 25th January 1886 to father, William Armstrong (a linen merchant trading as Wm. Armstrong & Son, Upper Queen Street, Belfast) and mother Elizabeth. One of nine children - seven sisters and one brother - at Ballysallagh House, Clandeboye, Bangor, Co Down.

John worked with his father in the family linen business as a salesman before travelling to Australia in 1910 where he worked on McConnells Cattle Station in Queensland.

John returned home to Bangor in 1912 and joined the Royal Naval Air Service in March 1915 serving with No. 15 Squadron in Belgium and France.

It wasn't until 1st Decemeber 1915 that John Armstrong joined up with Locker Lampson's unit (no.3 Squadron) as a Petty Officer Mechanic, bound for Russia :

Aug/Sept 1916 Caucasian front (facing the Turks)

Nov/Dec 1916 Romanian front (facing the Bulgarians)

Dec 1916 Awarded Russian Medal of St George for gallantry during action in Topalul (Dobruja region of Romania). The medal was presented by General Sirelius in Hirsova (Romania) 8/12/1916.

Dec 1916/Jan 1917 Continuing service on Romanian front.

Feb/April 1917 Served on Russia/Romania border.

March 1917 outbreak of Russian Revolution.

June 1917 Served in Galicia (NE province of Austria-Hungary) in support of the Brusilov offensive (last major Russian action of WW1).

July 1917 Withdrawn to base in Proskurov (Russia)

Sept 1917 Returned to England

Feb 1918 returned to civilian life.

Many of the men from Locker lampson's unit transferred across to the Motor Machine Gun Corp on their return to UK and were then sent out to Baku under General Dunsterville to defend the oilfields there. This unit was known as the "Dunsterforce".

John however was not ordered to do this as his only brother, Billy (seven years younger than John) had just been killed on 27 December 1917 (age 24) while serving with the 14th Bn Black Watch in Jerusalem.

This was Billy's first engagement since his commission as a second lieutenant to the regiment which he had joined on 17 December 1917. He was killed leading a night attack just north of Jerusalem to clear Turkish artillery which had been shelling the city. His death left John as the only surviving son.

After his discharge John continued with the family business and was a linen/textile salesman all his working life. He was well known in the Bangor area especially through his church connection (Hamilton Road Presbyterian) where he was the Sunday School Superintendent for many years and an elder.

He married a local woman named Jenny Sherriff ( a well known Bangor family). They had no children and lived in Bangor for the rest of their lives.

YOUR RESPONSES:

Tony Edwards - Nov '06
I would be most grateful if you could shed any light on the activities of the Armoured Car Division (Russia) in the Ukraine in 1916.
My great uncle Victor Lawrence Edwards along with two of his brothers joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1914 .
Unlike his two brothers who served both in Gallipoli and the Somme very little is known of Victors war other than that he he died on the 21 August 1917 and is the only serviceman buried in the Proskurov Catholic Cemetery having died from "exposure during the retreat" according to the gravestone subsequently erected by his fellow officers.
I can find no record to any fighting by British troops in Russia at this time although ironically Victors older brother and the only soldier in the family to return from the front finished his war fighting with the RNVR alongside the white Russians in Archangel with the US and Polish troops assigned to that front.

The fate of Victor is shrouded in mystery and his nephew father Patrick Edwardsa retired jesuit priest ( my fathers cousin) is unable to find out any further details.
I would be delighted to hear from you if you can cast any light on this part of my familys past.
There may be a link with your research since I do note that there is reference to Proskurov in the text.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Ellen Elder - Nov 05
Just in case you are not aware, both John and Willie Armstrong are listed in the North Down Spectator's Roll of Honour for December 1915.

Katrina
I am carrying out research on the men from Bangor that were killed in WW1, including Willie Armstrong, do you have any further information on his background or could you point me in the right direction? Your help would be greatly appreciated.