Former British army major stripped of Military Cross

                              
A Military Cross awarded to a former British army major has been cancelled – the first time an honour for bravery has been annulled.

Major Robert Armstrong received the award for his leadership while under fire in Afghanistan in March 2009, saving the lives of injured troops.



However, an investigation was later opened after claims were made about the circumstances of the situation.
The cancellation of the medal was confirmed in the London Gazette, which publishes official notices.

The one-sentence statement read: “The Queen has directed that the award of the Military Cross dated 6 March 2009 to Robert Michael Armstrong, formerly Major, Royal Regiment of Artillery, 543241, shall be cancelled and annulled.”

Armstrong was dismissed from the army two years ago after hundreds of rounds of ammunition and secret documents were found at his home.

The judge at Colchester military court in 2012 said the former major had demonstrated a “cavalier attitude” to handling the ammunition, while the documents could have resulted in loss of life if they had been published.
Armstrong was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, for the offences.

Military police also investigated all gallantry medals awarded to Armstrong’s regiment, the Royal Artillery, in Afghanistan after claims that honours may have been made on false battle reports.

The Ministry of Defence has given no further details about the case. A spokesman said: “The MoD can confirm that an investigation has concluded into the circumstances surrounding the award of a gallantry medal relating to an incident in Afghanistan.”