In Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy, France is the Commonwealth War Grave of 214027 Gunner Newrick Armstrong, serving with 354th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery who died 18/10/1918.
Chester Lads (& Lasses) For Ever a HLF supported project by Chester le Street Heritage Group has submitted the following:-
Newrick, born in 1894, was the eldest son of George and Isabella Armstrong. He had at least two brothers Samuel (1905) and John George (1907) and three sisters Elizabeth Ann (1898), Jane Isabella (1900) and Barbara (1910).
In 1911 the family were living at 5 Union Lane, Chester Moor. George was a coal miner hewer and 17-year-old Newrick was a Brakesman underground.
Newrick enlisted at Chester le Street on 9th December 1915 and was placed in the Reserves.
He married Elizabeth Elliott on the 24th February 1917 and their son John George was born on the 3rd December 1917. They lived at 56 Pine Street, Chester Moor.
Newrick was mobilised at Newcastle 1st May 1918 and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery. He died of a shell wound to the left leg in No. 5 Casualty Clearing Station, Bihecourt, France in October 1918.
The Chester le Street Chronicle 08/11/1918 reports:-
Gunner Newrick Armstrong (24) R.G.A., whose home is at 56 Pine Street, Chester Moor, has joined the great army of England’s heroes who have given their lives for their country. The Captain of his Company has written a letter of condolence to the stricken widow, expressing the officers’ sincere sympathy and that of the men of the Battalion.
The deceased was wounded on 17th October and died the following day in a Red Cross hospital in France. He was formerly a miner at Priestman’s Colliery and when the quota came in May 1918 for a given number to join from the colliery the deceased was the first name in and out of the ballot and after eleven weeks training he was transferred to France and thirteen weeks following he made the supreme sacrifice. He was a keen and active sportsman and played half back for Chester Moor Football Club while he frequently took part in contests for other clubs. He was home on leave in July for six days.
Recipient of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
George (1950), Isabella (1945) and Jane Isabella (1986) are buried in Ropery Lane Cemetery (F205) without a headstone.
Newrick Armstrong is remembered at Chester Moor on C123.02 and at Chester le Street on C105.01, C105.12, C105.15 and C105.40
