WELCOME TO TROOPER ARMSTRONG.
The gathering in the Oddfellows' Hall on Tuesday night to welcome Trooper Fred. Armstrong on his return from the Transvaal was very well attended indeed, a great many Indies and children being On the platform was His Worship the Mayor, the Revs Smyth and Jamieson, the iown Clerk, and Mr J. D. Bruce.
Proceedings commenced with as overture very nicely played by Miss J. Lelievre.
His Worship the Mayor then said — "Ladies and Gentlemen, — We are assembled here to-night to welcome Trooper Armstrong on his return from South Africa to his native town. People may think we are rather late in our welcome, but it was possible to hold it earlier, and it is very gratifying to see such a large gathering. Most of those present had known Trooper Armstrong longer than he had — no doubt some of them had been at school with him — but he, though only a recent acquaintance, had been much struck with his quiet unassuming manner. As most of them knew Trooper Armstrong went out with the Second Contingent. He went away quietly without any fuss and he had come back in the same way. Had there been an opportunity no doubt he would have had a royal send off like the others. When he went matters in South Africa looked very black indeed. The British had sustained severe reverses, and there was no doubt that hard fighting had to be done, and no chance of its being over on his arrival. There was therefore all credit to him for going at such a crisis (applause). He went into the midst of the fighting on his arrival and suffered many and severe privations, and eventually his career was cut short by an attack of that enteric fever which had caused the death of so many of his comrades. He was invalided home and was, after a short rest, going back again to the front (applause). He (the speaker) had learnt more from conversation with Trooper Armstrong in half an hour than he had from all the newspaper articles and books on the war that he had read and he advised those present to have a talk with him if they possibly could. He had given him vivid impressions regarding the guns and the hospitals, the effect of lyddite shells and the 4.7 guns that had saved Ladysmith. He had also given him the opinion of the troops regarding the Imperial generals and the officers of the New Zealand contingents. He was glad to hear Trooper Armstrong's emphatic denial of the rumours that had been spread that Colonel Robin was a bib of a cocktail. He declared on the contrary there was no braver officer with the New Zealand forces (applause). They had not come there, however, to listen to him, but to welcome their returned fellow so he would not waste their time and begged to move — "That this meeting accoid a hearty welcome to Trooper Armstrong on his return from South Africa, where he has been nobly assisting to uphold the honour of the Empire."
The Rev. T. J. Smyth had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. He was glad indeed to welcome the wanderer back from the dangers of bullets sniping and enteric fever to the bosom of his family and friends. He also had learnt more from a conversation with Trooper Armstrong about the war than he had from other sources. Their returned friend was one of many who had shown deep devotion to the honour of his King and country, and as long as England had such soldiers she would never be afraid to face her enemies. (Applause.) He was a fine specimen of the men they had sent from Akaroa in twos to meet the enemies of Britain; the Armstrong's, Perhams, Knights and others — all these had fought nobly, and some had died for England. All there were jubilant at Trooper Armstrong's return, and when he returned he would carry back the best wishes and prayers of all. He wished him long life to fight for his country, and a safe return covered with victory. (Applause.) The resolution was then put, and carried with much enthusiasm.
Mr McCullough, accompanied by Miss Lelievre, sang "The Brave Old British Flag," and was encored.
Trooper Armstrong, who was received with immense applause, said that, as most of them were aware, he was no orator, and they hid all read the papers, and must know a great deal more of the war than he did, for soldiers at the front had little chance of knowing what was going on elsewhere. Besides the game was not finished, so it was unfair to ask him to tell the story now, but perhaps if he returned safe and sound at the end of the war he would try to tell them all about it. (Applause.) He thanked them most heartily for their great kindness in giving him Buch a cordial reception, and would only say in conclusion that he could assure them that the Boer ladies were not half so charming as those of Akaroa. (Loud applause.)
Those present, led by the Mayer, then, sang, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."
The Rev. D. Jamieson said that be had another resolution to propose, which was — "That this meeting congratulates the parents and relatives of Trooper Armstrong on his safe return."
There were some special reasons why the toast was entrusted to him» notably that he was the near neighbour and good friend of the parents of Trooper Armstrong. No doubt that spirit which had caused him to be distinguished in the battlefield was heriditary, for his father before him had done many a brave deed during the Maori War. Captain Armstrong had been anchored in the Wanganui River, when he noticed a white man pursued by two Maoris. The white man, closely pursued, leapt over the precipitous bank of the river and held on to the rocks, and other Maoris with guns were running fast to make an end of him. Seeing the state of affairs, Captain Armstrong did not hesitate, but launching a boat went to the rescue, and by sheer bravery and strength of arm brought the man back safely under a hail of ballets. It was such a deed as to make them all proud that its chief actor was a member of their own community. He did not get the Victoria Cross though he had so nobly deserved it, but, on the contrary, some breach of red tape had been made, and his only reward was being placed in durance, from which, after great trouble, he was eventually released. In telling him the story Mr Armstrong, senr., had said, "But if I have not the Victoria Cross on my breast I have it in my heart." It was men like this who infused their spirt into their sons and bred typical soldiers. He had seen the armies of most of the countries of Europe, amongst them Bismarck's famous cuirassiers, but he had never seen finer soldiers than those New Zealand had sent to the aid of the Empire. (Applause) He was glad to welcome back their guest safe and sound, and was sure that on his return to the front he would do his duty in such a manner as to make all he left behind him proud of his valour. (Applause.)
Mr Sims said he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. He often thought that parents who parted with their beloved sons in order that they might fight the battles of the Empire were entitled to their warmest thanks. It was a hard task indeed to part with those dearest to us — not to defend our own shores — but to go thousands of miles away and encounter a hundred hardships and dangers. With little or no shelter in a bad climate — in rags for weeks with scanty clothing they had suffered uncomplainingly. When they read of the entry into Pretoria on the 5th of June — in rags and tatters — they could estimate the suffering of their soldiers and the pangs felt by those parents who had sent their sons — perhaps their only son — to the Transvaal War (applause).
Mrs A. Lelievre, accompanied by Mrs G. Armstrong, sang "Oh, had I the Wings of a Dove."
Mr G. Armstrong, jun., replied on behalf of Trooper Armstrong's relatives; He said he was glad to see his brother safely back from the war. The men this Colony had sent had indeed done New Zealand credit, and he was glad that they had fought so gallantly under the old flag, which they all loved. His two younger brothers had gone to South Africa to fight in the cause of freedom against the Boers, and he hoped to see both do credit to the Colony and return safely to their New Zealand home when the war had ended (applause).
Mr Jacobson moved — "That this meeting congralulates the New Zealand troops now in South Africa on the splendid work they have been doing at the front, and that Trooper Armstrong be asked to convey such congratulations to his comrades when he rejoins his company." In proposing the resolution, the speaker dwelt on the gallant behaviour of the New Zealand contingents under great privations at the seat of war, assured Trooper Armstrong of the deep interest with which the doings of his comrades and himself were watched in the Colony, and asked him to bear to his comrades at the front the love, admiration, and goodwill of the people of Akaroa.
Mr Bruce, in seconding, spoke of the benefit the sending our men to the war had been to the Volunteers of the Colony. As an old Volunteer he felt very proud of the manner in which those who had gone to Africa from the Volunteer corps of the Colony had proved themselves quite as capable as any of the soldiers of the Empire. They had proved of what good stuff they were made, and in doing so had made it a certainty that the Volunteers of New Zealand would be more warmly appreciated in the future. The Imperial generals had frequently testified to the bravery and intelligence of the Colonial contingents, who, in spite of little training had proved themselves equal to the regular troops on the field of battle, on account especially of being able to think for themselves. They were all proud of the gallant men they had sent from New Zealand to fight the battles of the Empire (applause).
The singing of "God Save the King " terminated the proceedings. -Akaroa Mail, 8/2/1901.
Death. — News was received yesterday that Mr Fred Armstrong, son of Mr George Armstrong of Mount Vernon, Akaroa, fell dead in Kaikoura yesterday morning. Mr George Armstrong, jun., set out to try and reach Kaikoura to-day, to be there for the inquest, but we hear that, unfortunately, he was not able to get to Kaikoura in time. The original intention was to bring the body to Akaroa, but it is not unlikely that the deceased will be buried in Kaikoura. -Akaroa Mail, 15/4/1904.
KAIKOURA, April 14. A man named Armstrong, a member of one of the South African Contingents, committed suicide, by taking poison, in the Adelphi Hotel, this morning. He left a letter stating that life lately had been unbearable, and that he intended doing away with himself. -Lyttelton Times, 15/4/1904.
F. G. Armstrong, who was found on Thursday morning in a dying state in his room at the Adelphi Hotel, Kaikoura, served with the Second New Zealand Contingent in South Africa, being shot in the abdomen in one engagement. He underwent an operation for appendicitis recently, and had not long been convalescent. At the inquest touching his death (reports the Kaikoura Star) the evidence disclosed pecuniary difficulties of the deceased, a letter stating that he intended to end his life. The jury found that he died from the effects of phenol and chlorodyne self-administered when of unsound mind. -Marlborough Express, 19/4/1904.
As well as his monetary problems, Frederick Armstrong was likely feeling the ongoing effects of malaria, which he contracted in South Africa. He was also dealing with an abdominal hernia which the Army regarded as a pre-existing condition. It is possible that his condition limited his opportunities for work and the Army was not paying him compensation. In April, 1902, notes in his record refer to "the state of the man and the length of time he has been ill."
This followed his appendicitis operation, which itself followed his re-enlistment for the war, as part of the 9th Contingent. Also in his record is a letter written by Armstrong to Colonel Alfred Robin, describing his condition and referring to the "good deal of expense" to which he had been put in re-enlisting. He ends his letter with: "Hoping you will see your way to do something for me, I remain..."
Nothing beyond 1902 is found in the Army record. It can be assumed that his overall condition did not improve.
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