John Armstrong (1674-1742)
John Armstrong (1674-1742)
Armstrong joined the Williamite Army of Ireland in 1691.[1] In 1697 he joined the Duke of Ormonde's Horse Guards.[1]
In August 1711, during the War of the Spanish Succession, he constructed overnight a large battery of artillery with which the enemy was bombarded furiously and successfully in the morning at the Siege of Bouchain.[1]
He was appointed Quartermaster-General to the Forces in 1712 in recognition of his performance at Bouchain.[1] After the Treaty of Utrecht, in Spring 1713, he was appointed one of the Commissioners responsible for overseeing the dismantling of the harbour at Dunkirk.[1]
In 1714, following the accession of George I, he was appointed Chief Engineer.[1] He recommended the split in 1716 of the Ordnance Service into the Royal Engineers and the Royal Artillery.[1]
1722 February 9th. 'His Majesty has been pleased to appoint Colonel John Armstrong, Quarter-Master-General of His Majesty's Forces, and Chief Engineer of Great Britain, to be Master-Surveyor of the Ordnance, within the Tower of London, the Kingdoms of Great-Britain and Ireland, and all other His Majesty's Dominions' in the Room of Brigadier Michael Richards, deceased.'[1]
1723 Made a Fellow of the Royal Society.
From 1735 to 1742 he was Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Ireland and promoted Major-General in 1739.
He married Anna Priscilla Burroughs and together they went on to have five daughters
1742 Died. 'At London, April 15. Maj-Gen. John Armstrong, Quartermaster-General of the forces, Chief Engineer, Surveyor of the Ordnance, and Colonel of a regiment of Foot.'[2]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Gazette Issue 6032 published on the 6 February 1722. Page 1 of 2
- ↑ The Scots Magazine - Friday 02 April 1742