John Armstrong (1674-1742)
John Armstrong (1674-1742)
Armstrong joined the Williamite Army of Ireland in 1691.
In 1697 he joined the Duke of Ormonde's Horse Guards.
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.
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.
In 1714, following the accession of George I, he was appointed Chief Engineer. He recommended the split in 1716 of the Ordnance Service into the Royal Engineers and the Royal Artillery.
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