Private Frederick William Armstrong
Title (Mr/ Mrs/ Capt/ Rev etc):
First name(s):
Surname only:
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.
Service or Civilian?:
Service Number:
Regiment:
Employer:
War time / or Pre War occupation:
Place of Birth:
Place of Death:
War Memorial Location:
Grave Location:
World War I Address:
Individual Location:
Classifications:
Images:
