Corporal Johnston Armstrong, MM
Johnston Armstrong was born on 15 August 1887 at Kesh, County Fermanagh, the third of eight children of agricultural labourer Henry Armstrong and his wife Jane (nee Johnston).
By 1911 Armstrong was working as a gardener and groom to the Reverend Walter Auchinleck Stack at his home at Tubrid, Kesh, County Fermanagh. Stack was chaplain to the North Irish Horse.
Armstrong enlisted in the North Irish Horse in February 1913 (No.804 – later Corps of Hussars No.71111). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action in the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
Armstrong remained with the squadron throughout the war. By 1918 it was part of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, and that March was converted to a corps cyclist regiment.
In September 1918 Armstrong and two others were awarded Military Medals for their gallant conduct in the Advance to Victory offensive from 21 August.
On 11 February 1919 Johnston was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
His name is included on the roll of honour in the Drumkeeran Church, Tubrid, Kesh, County Fermanagh.