7/1184 Gunner Lincoln Frederick Armstrong, (2/12/1894-3/9/1918). "a fine hockey player"

 

ROLL OF HONOUR.

ARMSTRONG — On September 3, died of wounds received August 29, Gunner Lincoln Frederick Armstrong, youngest son of George Armstrong, Akaroa, in his 25th year. 

For King and Country.  -Akaroa Mail, 10/9/1918.

Gunner Lincoln F. Armstrong, died of wounds, was the youngest son of Mr G. Armstrong, Mayor of Akaroa. Gunner Armstrong was 24 years of age, and before leaving with the 6th Reinforcement was engaged in farming on his father's property at Stoney Bay. He was a keen sport and a fine hockey player, being captain of the Akaroa Club in 1914, in which year his team won the open seven-a-side tournament in Christchurch. Mr Armstrong's second son, Vernon, died of sickness on Gallipoli in 1015.  -Sun, 11/9/1918.

Much sympathy is expressed all over the Akaroa district with Mr and Mrs G. Armstrong in the loss of their youngest son, who died from wounds on August 26. Gunner Armstrong, with another brother, Vernon, left with the Sixth Reinforcement and saw service at Gallipoli,. Egypt and France. Beyond a period of sickness, he had so far escaped and was looking forward to his return. He was educated at the Akaroa District High School, and worked on his father’s farm. He was an active member of the Akaroa Boating Club and rowed in regatta and club races. The other brother died at Malta from sickness early in the campaign.   -Lyttelton Times, 13/9/1918.

Lincoln Armstrong enlisted in the Canterbury Mounted Rifles and was transferred to the New Zealand Field Artillery to serve as a driver.  He was fatally wounded on an active day against the retreating German Army in the closing months of the war - the Germans were retreating but made a stand at the French town of Bapaume.  The action was described by the Official History of the NZFA:

The country was swept by a heavy thunderstorm at 9 p.m., and rain continued to fall all night. After a conference with the infantry brigade commander, it was decided to push the 2nd Brigade batteries forward towards Favreuil, on the western side of the Bapaume-Sapignies Road. Two of the batteries, the 2nd and 6th, were to be in action by 6 a.m. on the 26th to support an attack on the railway line running north-east from Bapaume.

The continuance of the unfavourable weather conditions on the 26th did not contribute to freedom of movement, but batteries limbered up again and advanced a little nearer to Bapaume. Before dawn the enemy commenced to shell forward and rear areas with all calibre guns and howitzers, and between 4 and 5 a.m. he put down a heavy concentration on battery positions and the valley between Biefvillers and Favreuil. During the morning New Zealand infantry reached the road running from Bapaume to Beugnatre, but as the division on the left was unable to get through or round this latter village, the advance was temporarily held up. It was then decided to bombard Beugnatre, and so from 1.15 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. the village was intensely shelled, after which the place was taken, and a line established on its eastern outskirts. The 3rd Brigade batteries moved forward to positions east of Biefvillers, and at 6 p.m. all guns fired in a creeping barrage to enable the New Zealand infantry to go forward to the line of the railway running north of Fremicourt. This was successfully accomplished, except at one spot, which was very strongly held with machine guns.

While supporting this attack some batteries of the 3rd Brigade came under heavy and accurate fire from enemy 5.9in. batteries. The 4th Battery had four guns put out of action, several men killed, and eleven wounded, including the battery commander. The 13th Battery also suffered some casualties. Both batteries kept their guns in action, despite this sustained and destructive shelling, the gallantry displayed by officers and men of the 4th Battery under trying circumstances being of a high order.

Lincoln Armstrong died of head wounds in a French hospital.

Lincoln Armstrong commemorated at Akaroa Cemetery.

Lincoln Armstrong's grave at St Sever Cemetery, Rouen.  Both photos from "Find a Grave."