John Armstrong (1888 - 1919)

Born 3 Feb 1888 in Castle Eden, Durham, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Ellen (Hedley) Bossad — married 16 Oct 1912 in Easington, Durham, England, United Kingdom

Died 30 May 1919 at age 31 in Castle Eden, Durham, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

This profile is part of the Armstrong Name Study.

John was born in 1888. ^[1]

In 1912 he married Ellen Hedley.^[2]. They went on to have 5 children; Florence, John, Robert Leslie, Doris and Hilda.

Like so many men during World War I, John wanted to enlist. He was able to do so because of a new rule from the War Office in 1915;

On 13th January (1915) the WO sanctioned the Durham Parliamentary Recruiting Committee to raise another Btn. for the County Regiment. The height and chest measurements for recruits into the army had been reduced to allow the formation of "Bantam" Btn's. In these units the minimum height being 5 feet and the maximum height being 5 feet three inches tall with a chest measurement of 34 inches. At a meeting of the DCRC a resolution was passed that the WO should be approached with a view to forming a Bantam Btn. of the DLI. Generations of many Durham families had been employed underground in the Collieries found throughout the county. This work led to whole families being small in height but muscular in the upper body and it cannot be denied that they like many others were keen to do their bit.^[3]

From this we can assume that John was small in stature but as brave as the next man. In fact his discharge papers say he was 5 ft ¼" and was honest and hardworking. He was discharged due to being no longer fit enough for war.

He died aged just 31 on 30 May 1919. He was buried at Hutton Henry Cemetery.^{[4] [5]}

Sources

1. ↑ "Birth Record" Births Mar 1888 Name: ARMSTRONG, John District: Easington Volume: 10a Page: 404 https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=QjvqrTSVQJzN10pIldy3Pw&scan=1 viewed 13 June 2021
2. ↑ "Marriage Record" Marriages Dec 1912 Name: ARMSTRONG, John Hedley District: Easington Volume: 10a Page: 942 https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=1CIgqNxMibaYlS0r1y8oZA&scan=1 viewed 14 June 2021
3. ↑ https://m.facebook.com/GreatWarSeaham/photos/a.277671885771021/1546652872206243/?type=3&source=57&__tn__=EH-R viewed 14 June 2021
4. ↑ Deaths Jun 1919 Name: Armstrong, John Age: 31 District: Easington Volume: 10a Page: 468 https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=PUZws41w%2BwRE4JS0UaISGA&scan=1 viewed 14 June 2021
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/159501529/john-armstrong : accessed 14 June 2021), memorial page for Lance Corporal John Armstrong (unknown–30 May 1919), Find a Grave Memorial ID 159501529, citing Hutton Henry Cemetery, Hutton Henry, Durham Unitary Authority, County Durham, England ; Maintained by DIMITRIOS CORCODILOS (contributor 48461240)