Morpeth Herald 19/01/1917 carries an obituary:
DEATH OF CAPTAIN J.N. ARMSTRONG, MORPETH
It is with much regret that we have to report the death of Captain John Norman Armstrong, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who died from wounds in France.
The deceased officer was the eldest son of Councillor Isaac Armstrong, of Alexandra Road, Morpeth, and the first intimation received by the bereaved parents was a wire from the War Office on Monday stating: “Regret to inform you that Captain J.N. Armstrong, Northumberland Fusiliers, was wounded on January 10th”.
A wire from the War Office on Wednesday conveyed the sad news as follows: “Deeply regret to inform you that Captain J.N. Armstrong died of wounds on January 16th. The Army Council express their sympathy”.
The late officer was well known in the borough, and was very popular with all his fellows.
He commenced his school days at the Council School under the late Ald. R.J. Carr. He proved himself a diligent scholar.
In September, 1909, he entered the Morpeth Grammar School with a County Council scholarship. His career at the Grammar School was a very successful one. In connection with the Oxford Senior Local examinations he took a pass in 1912, and in the following year he was awarded second class honours.
He went through the preliminary examination for the teacher’s certificate with distinction in science in 1913.
In the school Cadet Unit and in athletics he played a prominent part. He was made corporal of the Cadets in 1911, and two years later he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and then to colour-sergeant in 1914.
A young man of fine physique, it was only natural that he should have taken a large share in the school’s athletics. He was a member of the football XI in 1911-12, 1912-13, and 1913-14, and of the cricket XI in 1912, 1913, and 1914, in which year he was captain.
In 1913 he tied with E. Wood for the Creighton Challenge Cup, a much coveted trophy in connection with the school’s annual sports, and in 1914 he had the honour of winning it.
[The] deceased was a good swimmer, and a loyal member of the Morpeth Company of the Boys’ Brigade. He joined as a private and passed through the various ranks to that of lieutenant.
After leaving the Grammar School the late captain proceeded to Armstrong College in September, 1914. He at once joined the Officers’ Training Corps, and later applied for a commission, and was gazetted to the Northumberland Fusiliers as a second lieutenant in December, 1914.
In September, 1915, he went to Gallipoli and took part in the campaign there, and in the evacuation at Suvla Bay and proceeded to Egypt.
In July last year he went to France with his regiment. He was gazetted lieutenant in March, 1916, and in October the same year he was promoted to captain.
In October last he was home on ten days’ leave.
The news of his death has come as a great shock to his many friends, and we feel sure that the sympathy of the townspeople will be extended to Councillor and Mrs Armstrong and family in their sad bereavement.
His brother, Edwin Armstrong, who joined the Grenadier Guards in 1915, is in hospital in England recovering from wounds received in action.
Mr G.D. Dakyns, headmaster of Morpeth Grammar School, refers to Captain Armstrong in the following words:- “A fine all-round athlete, of considerable mental ability and not a little power of leadership, he was a very fine character – one of the best, and would have made a mark as a teacher and leader, especially after his experience in the Army.
“His loss is very grievous, but his passing after a good life crowned with a noble death is yet another proof that those are taken who are fit to go to do higher and better service for the Master beyond the veil”.
Morpeth Herald 02/02/1917 carries the following:
THE LATE CAPTAIN J.N. ARMSTRONG
Councillor I. Armstrong of Morpeth has received the following message of sympathy from the King and Queen, on the death of his son, Captain J.N. Armstrong, who died from wounds received in action:-
Buckingham Palace.
“The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the Army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow”.
Keeper of the Privy Purse.
His brother Edwinalso died in the War.
John Norman Armstrong is remembered in Morpeth on M17.01, M17.02, M17.06, M17.09 and M17.29 in Durham on D47.151 page 4 and in Newcastle on NUT063
