On 8 June 1935, the local paper in Kroonstad, South Africa reported the Mr & Mrs John Armstrong were celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary, having married at Jagersfontein 50 years earlier. The report says that John Armstrong was born in Victoria, Australia about 1860 and went to South Africa with his parents around 1864.
The report includes fascinating details of his involvement in the Zulu wars and the South African diamond mines. His knowledge of diamonds was even called upon in a Scotland Yard investigation, and helped "in laying the thief by the heels." That's an expression you don't hear every day.
The newspaper report is reproduced for members in issue 81 of the Armstrong news, and if anyone knows the story of John Armstrong's Australian roots then we'd like to hear from you.
The report includes fascinating details of his involvement in the Zulu wars and the South African diamond mines. His knowledge of diamonds was even called upon in a Scotland Yard investigation, and helped "in laying the thief by the heels." That's an expression you don't hear every day.
The newspaper report is reproduced for members in issue 81 of the Armstrong news, and if anyone knows the story of John Armstrong's Australian roots then we'd like to hear from you.