The Rev. David Youngson has submitted the following:

Ernest William ARMSTRONG
M/12905 Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class
Royal Navy HM Submarine “J6”

He was the son of William Armstrong of Gateshead on Tyne. A Fitter and Turner, he was Initiated into 48 Industry Lodge in the Masonic Hall at Gateshead. on the 29th May 1917 but there is no record of any further Advancement. The Year of Warrant of the Lodge was 1735 but has now been surrendered.

He was the husband of Ellen Armstrong of 24 Henderson Road Sunderland. He died on the 15th October 1918 aged 24 and is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial 29.

Editor’s Note

The submarine “J6” was sunk by the British “Q” ship Cymric. The Cymric was a merchant ship taken over by the Admiralty, converted into a camouflaged gun boat and armed. She acted as a decoy ship under a neutral flag to lure German U boats into range. H.M.S/M J6 was lying on the surface outside Blyth, Northumberland and the Q ship Cymric was also in the area having previously encountered two British submarines on that day. At 16.00 hours, a third submarine was spotted. The Cymric went into action believing it to be a German U Boat. Despite a recognition signal being hoisted by J6 the attack continued. J6 went into a fog bank but was again attacked as she began to submerge. It was only after survivors were picked up that the mistake was discovered.

He is remembered on our List of Ships’ crews

Submarine J6
The CWGC entry for Engine Room Artificer Armstrong