14 Facts About Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd served in the Second Boer War and in the First World War, and later was the driving force behind the formation of a permanent "Mobile Division", the fore-runner of the 1st Armoured Division.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd was posted to a field battery in India in 1892 and became a lieutenant on 4 November 1894.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd served with the RFA during the Second Boer War and took part in the Battle of Magersfontein and the Battle of Paardeberg.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel as a result of his GSO2 appointment.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd remained in this position until August 1915, during which time he received the temporary rank of colonel on 4 November 1914, brevet lieutenant colonel on 18 February 1915, and substantive lieutenant colonel on 16 May 1915.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd was promoted , now to temporary major general, on 5 February 1916 became major general, general staff of the newly created Fourth Army of the BEF in February 1916, with Rawlinson, now a full general, in command.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd was effectively deputy commander of the Fourth Army in the final months of the war and played an important role in the success of the Battle of Amiens in August 1918.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George for his services in connection with military operations in France and Flanders on 1 January 1919 and was awarded the American Distinguished Service Medal by the President of the United States on 12 July 1919.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd was then deputy chief of the general staff in India on 27 March 1920, before becoming GOC of the 53rd Division, a Territorial Army formation stationed in the UK, on 3 March 1922.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd became GOC 1st Division, in succession to Major General Sir Guy Bainbridge, at Aldershot on 4 June 1923 and, having been advanced to Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 1925 New Year Honours, he was promoted to lieutenant general on 16 March 1926.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd was colonel commandant of the Royal Regiment of Artillery from 19 November 1927, Colonel Commandant of the Royal Tank Corps from 7 December 1934, Colonel Commandant of the 20th Burma Rifles from 5 April 1935, Honorary Colonel of the 46th Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers, from 17 March 1937 and Colonel Commandant of the Royal Malta Artillery from 11 May 1937.

In retirement Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd became deputy lieutenant and then vice-lieutenant of the County of Lincoln.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd personally appealed to King George VI and the Air Ministry relented, redrawing the plans that resulted in the resiting of the new RAF Spilsby two miles further south.

Archibald Montgomery-Massingberd died at the age of 75 at his home, Gunby Hall, on 13 October 1947 and was buried at St Peter's Church in Gunby.