Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War C.M.G., C.B.E. group of six awarded to Colonel J. A. Armstrong, Director of Dental Services, Canadian Expeditionary Force

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with full neck cravat; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, with length of neck ribbon in Garrard & Co. Ltd case of issue, suspension ring adapted to lie flat; 1914-15 Star (Col: J. A. Armstrong. Can: A.D.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Col. J. A. Armstrong.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Capt. J. A. Armstrong 43rd Regt. Infy.) the last four mounted court-style for display, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400

C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1918:
‘In recognition of valuable services in connection with the War.’

C.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 3 June 1919:
‘For valuable services rendered in connection with the War:- Armstrong, Col. John Alexander, C.M.G., C.A.D.C.’

John Alexander Armstrong was born at South March, Ontario, on 26 November 1862. He graduated with a degree in dentistry from the University of Toronto in 1890 and returned to Ottawa where he set up a dental practice. He commenced his military career in 1889 when he enrolled as an officer in the 43rd Regiment (Ottawa and Carlton Rifles). He also served in the Governor General’s Foot Guards prior to the Great War and received the Colonial Auxiliary Forces L.S. & G.C. medal in 1909. Although the Canadian Army Dental Corps was formally organised on 13 May 1915, Armstrong was appointed Chief Dental Surgeon and officer administering the Corps one month prior, on 2nd April. Taken on strength with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, he proceeded to England on 4 August 1915, where, after training, he was attached to the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance, stationed at Bailleul on 8 August 1915. Armstrong was attached to the 2nd Canadian Division until the end of December 1915, when he returned to Shorncliffe to assume the duties of Director of Dental Services, responsible for the dental welfare of all Canadian Forces in training and at Canadian hospitals in England. He was one of only two C.A.D.C. officers to be appointed to the Order of St Michael and St George, and the only officer of the C.A.D.C. to be appointed C.B.E., thus making his group of awards unique to the Corps.

Sold with copied research including detailed service history and two photographic images.