Private Frederick William Armstrong

Rank or Title

Date of Birth

1896

Date of Death

1 Jul 1916

War time / or Pre War occupation

Butcher

Employer

H. Clarke & Sons, Adelaide Street, Luton

Service Number

19794

Place of Birth

Stopsley
Luton
United Kingdom

World War I Address

9 Stuart Street
Luton
United Kingdom

Place of Death

Somme
France

Grave Location

France

War Memorial Location

Soldier or Civilian

  • Soldier

Source

The Luton News , 13th July 1916
Pte Frederick William Armstrong

 

Pte Frederick William Armstrong, 19794, 7th Bedfords, was killed in action on July 1st, 1916 - the first day of the Battle of the Somme. He was aged 20.

Born in a cottage at Eaton Green Farm, Stopsley, in 1896, he was the son of Thomas and Annie Elizabeth Armstrong. His brother Charles, also a private in the 7th Bedfords, wrote to his parents with the sad news of his death. Frederick had been homes on leave five weeks before his death.

Prior to enlistment at the outbreak of war, Frederick Armstrong was employed by butchers H. Clarke & Sons, of Adelaide Street, Luton. He was a member of the Celtic Football Club (the local butchers' club) and was the second of the team's players to lose his life in action. He had gone out to the Front in May 1915.

Pte Armstrong's brother-in-law, Pte C. J. Wilmot, of the A.S.C., wrote to say that Fred had died an honourable death, "dying for the protection of you and his country".

On July 7th, the Rev G. Jarvis Smith, Wesleyan Chaplain, wrote to Mr and Mrs Armstrong to say he had been able to find the body of their son and given it a Christian burial. He had marked the spot where he was buried, and a cross would be erected there as soon as possible.

His family were later living at 9 Stuart Street, Luton.

 

Individual Location

Pte Frederick William Armstrong

Author: Deejaya

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