Person Record

Metadata

Name

Armstrong, Fred

Othernames

Captain Armstrong
Frederick Finlay Armstrong

Places of residence

Owen Sound, Ontario
England (overseas duty)
RR#1 Sauble Beach, Ontario

Titles & honors

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Canadian Forces Decoration

Nationality

Canadian

Notes

CAPTAIN FRED ARMSTRONG DFC CD
Fred Armstrong, originally of Owen Sound, was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War. Like many of the R.C.A.F., he was seconded to Britain's R.A.F., and he flew with the 76th Squadron, No. 4 Bombing Group, flying Mark III Halifaxes. He completed 40 operations and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross.

He later was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration when he was with the 13 Medical Company. Circa 1952, he was an officer of the 19 Field Ambulance, which was under the command of Lt.-Colonel [Dr.] A. S. Middlebro' of Owen Sound, Ontario. Eventually the medical company was phased out.
In Sept. 1956, the Grey & Simcoe Foresters took part in a large training operation at the Meaford Tank Range (Sept. 28-30). The 13 Medical Company also participated in this operation.

Captain Armstrong has also belonged to the Grey Regiment, and its successor, the Grey & Simcoe Foresters Regiment, which was a separate unit from the 19 Field Ambulance. Captain Armstrong wore his medical corps uniform at the Owen Sound armouries in the past. The uniform is now at Grey Roots Museum.

In 1988, he and 2 other veterans were pictured in the OWEN SOUND SUN-TIMES WEEKENDER edition, Sat. Nov. 5, 1988: "Armstrong is a recipient of the esteemed Distinguished Flying Cross, for valor. He was an RAF pilot during the Second World War, when he completed 39 bombing missions over France and Germany in a Halifax Mark III. He said of his work simply that, "we were told to do it and we did." "There's a certain etiquette to wearing decorations, said Armstrong. for example, their use is restricted to military occasions, like parades on Remembrance Day. Miniatures of the originals can be worn at dress occasions."

Frederick Finlay Armstrong was in his 80th year when he passed away on November 4, 1997, at Owen Sound, but had been previously residing at Sauble Beach. He was interred at Greenwood Cemetery.

1993.044.001 Captain Armstrong's RCAMC [Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps] uniform from the 1952-1960 period, when he was with 19 Field Ambulance
1993.044.002 Fred Armstrong's RCAF uniform from the Second World War