Photo: Brian Chandler
E. Armstrong,
Royal Air Force
29th July 1945 age 30
The Morpeth Herald 03/08/1945 page 1 reports:
“Drowning Fatality
Cresswell Rescue Attempt
The gallant action of two Ashington men, who jeopardised their own lives to save the life of a bather at Cresswell, was highly commended by Coroner H. J. Percy at an inquest at Ashington on Tuesday. The inquest was on Ernest Armstrong (39), married, of South View, Ashington, who arrived home on Sunday morning on leave from the Royal Air Force, and who was drowned at Cresswell in the evening. His brother Henry Armstrong and William Bell of High Market, Ashington, were the two men who attempted to rescue him.
The Coroner returned a verdict of “drowning while bathing in the sea – accidental death.”
Inspector W. Taylor said that in his opinion it was a very dangerous place to bathe.
Coroner: Will you ask the police at Morpeth to convey to the clerk of the Morpeth Rural Council that this place is dangerous for bathers?
Inspector Taylor replied in the affirmative.
The Coroner expressed his deep sympathy with the relatives of the deceased in their sad bereavement."
Acknowledgements: Simon Glancey
Ernest Armstrong is remembered at Ashington on A17.09 and A17.43
