Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Herbert Armstrong a groom, born in the October quarter of 1858 in Thurgarton, Nottinghamshire and baptised on the 17th October 1858 in St. Peter’s Church, Thurgarton (son of John Armstrong, 1821-1906 and Sarah Singleton, 1825-1899) and his wife Caroline Armstrong (nee Senior, married on the 11th April 1880 in the Church of St. Matthias, Sneinton, Nottinghamshire), born in the July quarter of 1858 in West Pinchbeck, Lincolnshire and baptised on the 16th January 1859 in St. Bartholomew’s Church, West Pinchbeck (daughter of Joseph Senior, 1811-1894 and Ann Brittain, 1823-1910). Walter was born in the April quarter of 1885 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and baptised on the 2nd August 1885 in Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough, his siblings were George Herbert, born in the October quarter of 1887 and baptised on the 18th April 1888 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough and Frederick Ernest, born on the 27th November 1889 and baptised on the 24th September 1890 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, both his siblings were born in Loughborough, in April 1891 the family home was at 16, Sparrow Hill, Loughborough.
In March 1901 Walter was employed as a plumber and was residing in the family home at 6, Duke Street, All Saint’s, Loughborough, together with his father a mineral water carter, his mother and siblings, George, an errand boy, Frederick, Ethel Susan, born on the 2nd May 1891 and baptised on the 9th September 1891 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, Clara, born in the January quarter of 1896 and baptised on the 3rd January 1896 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, Florence Sarah, born in the October quarter of 1897 and baptised on the 6th October 1897 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough and Hannah Brittain, born in the October quarter of 1899 and baptised on the 21st January 1904 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, the latter four siblings were all born in Loughborough.
Walter’s mother died, aged 48 years in December 1906 in Loughborough and was interred in Loughborough All Saint’s on the 2nd January 1907.
In April 1911 Walter was employed as a grocer’s warehouse porter and was residing in the family home at 4, Fennel Street, Loughborough, together with his wife Emily Mary Elizabeth Armstrong (nee Ayres, married on the 25th December 1905 in Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough), born on the 20th March 1887 in Stowe, Northamptonshire (daughter of James Ayres, 1862 and Emily Carvel, 1863) and their son Herbert James, born on the 21st November 1910 in Loughborough and baptised on the 29th January 1911 in Holy Trinity Church, Loughborough.
Walter also had another sibling, John Arthur Armstrong, born on the 3rd November 1901 in Loughborough and baptised on the 21st January 1904 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough.
Walter enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 10th December 1915 in Loughborough, and was allotted the regimental service number 94598. He gave his age as 29 years 4 months. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as grocer’s warehouseman. He gave his present address as 2, Fennel Street, Loughborough.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Glen Parva Barracks on the 6th June 1916 and recorded his birthplace as Trinity, Loughborough, Leicestershire, declared age as 29 years 4 months, trade or occupation as grocer’s warehouseman, that he was 5-feet 6½ inches in height, weighed 139 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 37½ inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=6. L.E.-V=6. Enlisted at Loughborough on the 10th December 1915. Joined on enlistment No. 4 Depot Royal Garrison Artillery. Regimental No. 94598.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 29 years 4 months, height 5-feet 6½ inches and chest measurement of between 35½ and 37½ inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded].
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Emily Mary Elizabeth Armstrong, 2, fennel Street, Loughborough.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. 10/12/15.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 11/12/15.
Mobilized. 29/5/16.
Posted. Royal Garrison Artillery Depot. Gnr. 5/6/16
Joined. No.4 Depot. Great Yarmouth. 7/6/16.
Admitted. To Great Yarmouth Military Hospital. 6/7/16.
Posted. To 12th Company Royal Garrison Artillery, Gnr. 19/7/16.
Discharged. From Great Yarmouth Military Hospital. 31/7/16.
Posted. To 12th Company. Paull Point Battery, Near Hull. 19/8/16.
Posted. To 280th Siege Battery, No.12 Company. 23/11/16.
Embarked. From Southampton. 17/3/17.
Disembarked. At le Havre. 18/3/17.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 12/6/17.
Admitted. To 77th Field Ambulance, shell shock. In the Field. 12/6/17.
Admitted. To 4th Stationary Hospital. Argues St. Omer. 14/6/17.
Transferred. To 7th Convalescent Depot. 30/6/17.
Transferred. To 10th Convalescent Depot. 5/7/17.
Transferred. To 3rd Rest Camp. 23/8/17
Transferred. To Base Depot, Le Havre. 23/8/17.
Joined. 88th Siege Battery. In the Field. 31/8/17.
Leave to UK with Ration Allowance. 25/12/17 – 8/1/18
Admitted. Sick. In the Field. 19/9/18.
Died. In 56th General Hospital, broncho pneumonia contracted on active service. Etaples. 3/11/18.
Summary of Service.
Total Service. 2 years 323 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
On the 10th May 1919, Walter’s widow Emily Mary of 5, Fennel Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of twenty shillings and five pence for herself and her son, commensurate on the 12th May 1919.
[recognitum XXII-X-MMXXIII]