Military Medal GVIR (T/218663 L.CPL. R.W. ARMSTRONG. R.A.S.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star clasp North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed as awarded.
Richard Wragge Armstrong was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 17 June 1914 and served during the Second World War as a Driver with the Royal Army Service Corps, attached 184 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. According to the 1939 Register he was living at Coldharbour Lane, Briton, Lambeth, London and was an Ambulance Driver.
He was awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette 8 March 1945 ‘For gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’
The original Recommendation states: ‘This man was driver of a Jeep detached to the Regimental Aid Post 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment during the recent attack of 138 Infantry Brigade on the Gemmano feature. His orders were to evacuate casualties from that Regimental Aid Post to an Ambulance Car Post established at 886810. On the night of the attack his Jeep was wrecked by a shell burst at Gemmano village itself. He quickly volunteered to drive another Jeep and continued to evacuate casualties, night and day during the whole period 10th to 15th September 1944 from the Gemmano - Borgo - Villa area to the Ambulance Car Port. During a temporary Jeep shortage, I [Lieutenant-Colonel J. J. O'Connell, R.A.M.C., Officer Commanding 184 Field Ambulance] asked this driver to do a “Milk round” of Regimental Aid Posts in the area at a time when heavy shelling and mortaring were causing considerable casualties and deaths not only in the area but on the actual roads themselves. He was at all times adequate during a most difficult and dangerous period and was always game for more work, no matter what the strain. His devotion to duty and courage was of vital help to keep the Regimental Aid Posts clear of casualties during a rush period of great strain.’
He died in Attleborough, Norfolk, on 30 April 1992.
Sold with named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the M.M.; an original typed reference letter from his Officer Commanding, dated 11 December 1945; and copied research. Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
