Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Richard Little Armstrong was born 1882 at Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham, the eldest of 7 children, 3 sons and 4 daughters. His father Robert Armstrong was born at Graitney, Dumfries, Scotland, November 17th 1859. When he was an infant his family moved to Cumberland and by 1877 were living at Heworth, where his mother Susan (Little) died that same year. He married at Gateshead in 1881 Rebecca Harrison native of Hetton, County Durham, born in 1862. At the time of his marriage he was an unemployed bricklayer by 1891 he was working as a blacksmith and living with his family at 85, Elliot Street, Heworth. Robert Armstrong died in 1910 leaving his widow Rebecca, aged 49 years, living at 9, Howe Street, Gateshead. She was supported by her sons George Robert (23) a blacksmith’s striker at the chemical works, William (20) an apprentice brass finisher at the engineering works, her daughters Mary Ann assisted her at home whilst Susan (25) was employed by a milliner as a shop assistant, Rebecca (16) an electric lamp maker, Maggie the youngest was a scholar.
Richard had left home in 1907 when he married at Gateshead Selina Alice Jane Ramsey born 1882 at Blaydon, County Durham. They were living in 1911 with her parents and siblings at 15, High Street, Felling and they had a son, Norman Ryle Armstrong, born July 30th 1908 at Felling. Richard was employed as a linotype operator at the Chronicle offices.
On the outset of war additional regiments were raised by volunteers, however, by March 2nd 1916 any single man was automatically deemed to have enlisted, this was extended to married men in May 1916. Richard Little Armstrong was enlisted in the Training Reserve as number 53158 assigned to the Infantry Base Depot of the South Wales Borderers, later transferred to a fighting unit as Private 40854 he departed for the Western Front in 1917 attached to the 6th Battalion, 76th Brigade, 25th Division.
The first quarter of 1917 the Division was in the Ploegsteert sector, near Ypres, in Belgium where they fought between the Wulverghem-Messines and Wulverghem-Wytschaete roads. A further attack was carried out on June 14th-15th designed to advance the unit a further 800 yards at the front between Blauwepoortebeek stream and the river Douve. It was a success and the Division reached the line at Gapaard. On the night of June 22nd-23rd the Division began to withdraw moving to the area of Bomy, near to St. Omer near the French coast, it was moved back to the area of Ypres, Belgium July 7th and 8th where work began in preparation for the next big offensive.
Private 40854 Richard Little Armstrong South Wales Borderers wounded during the move was taken to a cottage near Battery Corner which served as a dressing station and where he died July 7th 1917. He was interred at Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, grave I. C. 16, he was 35 years old.
His widow Selina, known as Lena, received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their son along with his awards of the British War Medal and Victory medal sent to her at 2, Hewiston Terrace, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. Probate was settled at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the sum of 390 pounds 5 shillings, August 19th 1917, all effects assigned to Selina Armstrong widow.
Details as regards the demise of Selina Alice Jane Armstrong nee Ramsey are unknown. Richard and Selina’s son Norman Ryle Armstrong of 5, Coldwell Park Drive, Felling, Gateshead, died November 21st 1984 aged 76 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 20/07/1917:
Private Richard L. (Dick) Armstrong, killed in action July 4th. Husband of Selina Armstrong, 2 Hewitson Terrace, Felling, and son of Mrs. and the late Robt. Armstrong of Felling.
It prompted this comment in the same newspaper:
"Pte. Richard Armstrong.
Amongst those who have recently been reported killed at the front we notice with sincere regret the familiar name of Pte. Richard Armstrong. It seemed almost impossible, as it is only a few months since he joined the service. Pte. Armstrong was a member of the Primitive Methodist Choir, and as a soloist rendered good service both at local concerts and Brotherhood meetings. He was a compositor to trade, working a linotype machine at the "Chronicle" office and was of more than the average intelligence. His quiet disposition and social qualities had endeared him to many."
Richard Little Armstrong is remembered at Felling on F32.05 and at Newcastle on NUT121 and was probably named on NUT074
