Photo: © Jean Atkinson

Photo : © Jean Atkinson

Mother Ann Armstrong

William Armstrong was born in Ryton, Durham, the son of John and Ann Armstrong. The family resided at 20 Emmaville, Ryton in 1901 and at 1 Townley Cottages, Barmoor, Ryton in 1911. Documentation later gives their address as 6 Thorpe Cottages, Barmoor, Ryton.

John and Ann had 7 surviving children, Ann, Rachael, James, John Thomas, William, Arthur Gordon and Robert Stanley. James was also killed in action, 21st September 1914 whilst serving with the Durham Light Infantry.

William was a signaller with the 1/9th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and was killed on the 2nd March 1916, age 20. He was killed by Shellfire on the night of the 2/3rd March by a retaliatory German artillery bombardment, the battalion lost 10 killed, 24 wounded and 10 missing.

James Armstrong (mentioned above) was in the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry Service Number 11578. He was a miner working at the Emma Colliery. He had been previously in the Territorial forces serving with the 1/4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers Service Number 595. He later attested for the DLI on the 3rd April 1913. He was killed on the 21st September 1914.

According to the book Steel of the DLI. 2nd Batt DLI at War, by John Sheen he was killed on the 20th September and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial to the missing.

Research: Jean Atkinson

Additional Research: James Pasby

Source: Steel of the DLI. 2nd Batt DLI at War, by John Sheen, ISBN 9781848841437 Pen and Sword Ltd.

William Armstrong is remembered at Ryton on R33.01, R33.02, R33.05, R33.08, R33.14 and at Crawcrook on C97.05

The Ryton and District War Memorial Project
The CWGC entry for Private J. Armstrong
The CWGC entry for Private W. Armstrong