Photo: Brian Pirrie
The headstone reads:-
In Loving Memory
of
Pte. Joseph Armstrong
Dearly beloved son of
Robert & Sarah Armstrong
Who died at Armstrong College Newcastle
March 13th 1917 in his 19th year.
Also the above Robert Armstrong
Who died June 17th 1928 aged 71 years
William Kirby has submitted the following:-
Joseph Armstrong was born in 1899 at the son of Robert and Sarah Armstrong.
In 1901 the family were living at 16 John Street West Pelton. The children included Sarah (19), Robert (16), Richard (14), Isabella (12), Mary (10) Ellen (8), Dora (5) and Joseph (2).
In 1911 the family were living at St Paul's Terrace West Pelton. Robert born Gateshead was a Coal miner Stone Screener below ground. The family consisted of Sarah (51), Richard (24) a Timekeeper above ground, Isabel (22), Ellen (17), Dora (15), Joseph (12) at school and Henry (9).
The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 23/03/1917 reports:-
West Pelton Warrior "Called"
Another name hs been added to the West pelton Roll of Honour. Pte. Joseph Armstrong, con of Mr and Mrs Robert Armstrong, St Paul's Terrace, West Pelton, died from pneumonia in Armstrong College, Newcastle on March 13th.
The deceased who had just passed his eighteenth birthday was prior to his enlistment, employed as a cartman at Messrs, Joicey's Alma Colliery.
The internment took place on Saturday at St Paul's, West Pelton, in the presence of a large company of friends and sympathisers. The choir was in attendance and the hymns "Peace perfect Peace" and "Lead Kindly Light" were sung.
As Joseph never entered a theatre of war he was not awarded any medals.
Joseph Armstrong is remembered at West Pelton on W112.01
