George Thomas Armstrong
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- Military History
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George Thomas known as Tom was born in 1885 at Sewstern, Leicestershire and was the son of Alfred a general carter and Mary Armstrong née Hayes of Sewstern, Leicestershire. His father Alfred was born in 1859 at Burton Coggles, Lincolnshire and his mother Mary Hayes was born in 1861 at Melton Mowbray they were married in 1879 their marriage was recorded in the Grantham Registration District, they went on to have 13 children sadly 3 were to die in infancy or early childhood, their children shown on the 1891/1901/1911 census were , Mary b1880, George Thomas b1885, Harry b1887, Fred b1888, Ellen b1890, William b1892, Cecil b1896, Dorothy b1898 , Lillian b1899, Albert b1900 and Winnie b1903 all the children were born in Sewstern. In the 1911 census his parents and siblings are living at Sewstern and are shown as Alfred 51 yrs a carter, he is living with his wife Mary 49 yrs and their children, Harry 23 yrs a labourer, Fred 23 yrs a labourer, Lilly 12 yrs a scholar, Albert 11 yrs a scholar and Winnie 8 yrs a scholar. In the 1911 census George Thomas has left home, he is living at Ham House Stables, Ham, Richmond, Surrey, he is shown as being 25 yrs, single and a groom, he is living with Stephen Wiliam 46 yrs and his family. George Thomas married his wife Lillian Pyke in 1917 at Nottingham and they lived at 47 Denison Street Radford Nottingham. His probate was proven (with will) on 15th April 1919 and shows him as George Thomas Armstrong of 47 Denison Street, Radford, Nottingham Lance Corporal in His Majesty's Army died 14th September 1918 in France, his effects of £246, 1 shilling and 8 pence were left to Lillian Armstrong, widow.
Lance Corporal George Thomas Armstrong, enlisted at Grantham whilst residing at Retford and served with “B” Company, 7th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 14th September 1918. He is buried in Bertincourt Chateau British Cemetery.
Newspaper article published 28th September 1918 in the Grantham Journal :- Lance-Corpl G. T. ARMSTRONG, Sewstern. “The death occurred in action, on September 14th, [1918] of Lance-Corpl. George Thomas Armstrong, at the age of 31 years. For many years employed as groom by Lord Dysart, he joined at the outbreak of the war, and returned to France as recently as September 6th, after being home on leave. He married little more than a year ago, and his wife lives at Nottingham. In a letter to her, the chaplain states that Lance-Corpl. Armstrong was killed whilst asleep, and suffered no pain. Major F. Carruthers, for whom deceased had acted as groom since last March, wrote that he was killed by a stray shell which fell in the stables at headquarters, death being instantaneous. The Major added that he was extraordinarily good looking in after his horses and saddlery. The parents of Lance-Corpl. Armstrong live at Sewstern. His brother was killed in May, 1917, having joined up in Australia at the outbreak of war; two brothers have been discharged, and two are still serving, making a total of six out of seven sons who have been in H.M. Forces.” In memoriam published in the Nottingham Evening Post 14th September 1919 :- “ARMSTRONG. – In loving memory of my dear husband, L.-Cpl. G. T. Armstrong, killed Sept. 14th, 1918. When alone in sorrow bitter tears flow, there stealth a dream of days long ago, unknown to the world he stands by my side, and whispers, “Dear wife, death cannot divide.” – From devoted wife Lillie. “ARMSTRONG. – In loving memory of L.-Cpl. G. T. Armstrong, killed Sept. 14th, 1918, son-in-law of Mrs. Pyke, Deniston-street, Radford. Sunshine passes, shadows fall, but sweet remembrance outlasts all. – From mother, sister, and brother.” Above article and in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 His brother Gnr. Alfred William Armstrong, 2nd Division Trench Mortar Battery, Australian Field Artillery, was killed in action on 7th May 1917. He is buried in Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy.
