Albert Armstrong
- Family History
- Military History
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Albert was the second son of John Frederick and Isabella Armstrong (née Pickering). His father John Frederick was born in Gosberton, Lincolnshire, in 1861 (A/M/J Spalding-Dickenson), the son of John, a farmer, and Maria Armstrong. John was living with his family in Gosberton in 1871. His mother Isabella Pickering was born in Cowbit, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, also in 1861 (J/A/S Spalding-Scholes), the daughter of William and Susannah Pickering. In 1871 she was living with her family at Barrier Bank, Cowbit. John and Isabella were married at St John Nottingham on 1 October 1885 (O/N/D Nottingham). They had eight children of whom seven survived infancy. All the children were born in Nottingham: Herbert birth registered 1884 (J/F/M Nottingham), Albert birth registered 1886 (J/F/M Nottingham), Harold b. 30 March 1891 (A/M/J Nottingham), Edith birth registered 1893 (J/F/M Nottingham), Percy Pickering b. 24 November 1893 (O/N/D Nottingham), Ethel b. 1896 (J/A/S Nottingham), John Fred b. 1897 (J/A/S Nottingham) d. 1897 (J/A/S Nottingham) and George William birth registered 1904 (J/F/M Nottingham). With the exception of John Fred and George William for whom no baptismal record has been traced, the other six children were baptised at Emmanuel church, Nottingham, on 13 November 1902. The family was then living at 3 Lily Street. In 1891 John, who worked as a porter for John Leighton paper merchant, and Isabella were living on Dame Agnes Street, Nottingham, with their three sons, Herbert (5), Albert (3) and Harold (under 1 year). Also in the household was Isabella's unmarried sister, Sarah Pickering (23). By 1901 the family had moved to 3 Lily Street, Nottingham. John and Isabella surviving six children were in the home on the night of the census: Herbert (15) a solicitor's office boy, Albert (13) an ale and stout bottler, Harold (10), Edith (8), Percy (7) and Ethel (4). Their son, John Fred, who had been born in 1897 had died at a few months old. Also in the household was a boarder, George Pickering (26 b. Cowbit Lincs), a railway drayman. The family was living at 4 St Ann's Valley, Nottingham, by 1911. Herbert (35) a silk traveller, Albert (23) who was still working as a bottler, Harold (20) an engine cleaner with the Midland railway, Edith (18) a hosiery machinist, Percy (17) a mechanic for a telephone company, and the two youngest children Ethel (14) and George (7) who were still at school. Albert's sister, Ethel, died at home on 14 April 1911 aged 14. By the time of Albert's death in 1918 the family home was at 54 Vicarage Street, Nottingham. His father, John Frederick, died aged 59 on 7 February 1921 at 54 Vicarage Street. His mother, Isabella, died on 3 November 1933 aged 72.
Private Albert Armstrong served with 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment. He was killed in action 19th May 1918 and was buried in Fouquieres Churchyard Extension (grave ref. I.88).
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 15 April 1911: ‘Armstrong. On the 14th inst., at 4, St Ann’s-valley, Ethel, the beloved daughter of JF and I Armstrong, in her 15th year.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 8 June 1918: ‘Armstrong. Killed in action May 19th, 1918. Albert, second beloved son of JF and I Armstrong, 54, Vicarage-street, in his 31st year, 15 years in the employ of Whitbread and Co. Castle-boulevard. Sorrowing father, mother, brothers, sister, and sisters-in-law.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 8 June 1918: ‘Armstrong. In affection remembrance of our dear brother Albert, killed in action May 19th, 1918. Ever in our thoughts. Herbert, Florrie, and little Freda.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 'In memoriam' notices published 19th May 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “ARMSTRONG. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Albert, killed in action May 19th, 1918. Cherished memories. – Herbert, Florrie, and Freda. “ARMSTRONG. – In loving memory of our dear Albert, who was killed in France May 19th, 1918; also our dear Ethel, who passed away April 14th, 1911. Ever in our thoughts. – Father, mother, brothers, sister, brother and sister-in-law.” Above in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Registers of Soldiers' Effects: His father, John Frederick, was his legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: Mother, Isabella, named Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 8 February 1921: ‘Armstrong. On the 7th inst., at 54 Vicarage-street, John Frederick, the beloved husband of Isabella Armstrong, in his 60th year. For 36 years the very faithful servant of John Leighton, Lincoln-street. Sorrowing wife and children. Interment Church Cemtery. Thursday 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 6 November 1933: ‘Armstrong. Isabella, widow of the late John Frederick Armstrong, on November 3rd, at Wollaton Park, aged 72.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
