Sergeant David Armstrong
David Armstrong was born on 21 June 1889 at Ballyleck, Scotstown, Monaghan, the eighth child (at least) of farm labourer David Armstrong and his wife Margaret Jane (née Scott). At the time of the 1911 he was living with his father and two siblings at Killatten, Scotstown.
Armstrong enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 23 February and 30 April 1912 (No.695 – later Corps of Hussars No. 71075). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
A Squadron served as escort and bodyguard to the BEF's commander-in-chief at St Omer from October 1914 until January 1916, when it was posted as divisional cavalry to the 55th Division. In May 1916 it joined with D and E Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps.
In February and March 1918 the 1st NIH Regiment was dismounted and converted to a cyclist regiment. This meant a 25 per cent reduction in the regiment's numbers, and it is likely that this was the time that Armstrong was transferred to the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars, and subsequently to the 19th (Queen Alexandra's Own Royal) Hussars.
He was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve, on 17 March 1919.
His name is included on the memorial tablet for Mullahara LOL 777 (below), and in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland's Roll of Honour (the latter of which states that he was wounded).
Image courtesy of Nigel Henderson, researcher at History Hub Ulster who received it from Ian Jordon via Tony Watson.