John Heaton-Armstrong

Sir John Dunamace Heaton-Armstrong, MVO (1888 – 1967) was a long-serving English officer of arms at the College of Arms in London.

During the First World War he was commissioned into the Cavalry Branch of the Reserve of Officers of the British Indian Army as a second lieutenant, and was later promoted to lieutenant. His first heraldic appointment at the College came on 6 April 1922, when he was made Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary. On 14 October 1926, Heaton-Armstrong was promoted to the position of Chester Herald of Arms in Ordinary. This office was made vacant by the promotion of Arthur Cochrane to the office of Norroy King of Arms. He was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (fourth class) (MVO) in 1937. While holding this post, Heaton-Armstrong took a leave from the College of Arms to fight in World War II. During this conflict, he rose to the rank of squadron leader in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the Royal Air Force. He relinquished his commission in 1944, and returned to the College of Arms, and was knighted in the Coronation Honours of 1953. In 1956, with the death of Archibald George Blomefield Russel, Heaton-Armstrong was promoted to the office of Clarenceux King of Arms. As such, he was responsible for the granting of arms in his jurisdiction south of the River Trent. No doubt because of his war service and perhaps by virtue of his being a King of Arms, Heaton-Armstrong held for some period the honorary post of Inspector of Royal Air Force Badges. Heaton-Armstrong continued to serve as Clarenceux until his own death in late 1967.

Heaton-Armstrong's own coat of arms was blazoned Quarterly (1 and 4) Gules three dexter Arms embowed in armour Argent the Hands closed proper (2 and 3) Vert a Lion rampant Argent.