William Armstrong

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher.

William Armstrong was born on the 29th of May 1919, the son of Thomas & Evelyn Armstrong (née Pettitt), who, I believe, married in the September quarter of 1914 in the Registration District of Cockermouth, Cumberland.

But by the March quarter of 1920, sadly, Evelyn had died. With the death of his wife, William’s father had to make decisions for William, so I believe that he asked his sister, Elizabeth Dickinson (née Armstrong), to adopt William. This had been completed by the time of the 1921 census. Thomas Armstrong himself is seen on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, living with his widowed father David Armstrong and siblings at 39, Stanley Street, Workington. Thomas is now aged 30 years and 2 months old and a Blast Furnaceman, at United Steel Company, Old Side, Workington, but he was currently unemployed.

The 1921 census shows William Armstrong for the first time. He was living at 1, South Watts Street, Workington, Cumberland with Joseph & Elizabeth Dickinson. Joseph Dickinson, 27 years and 10 months old, was head of the household, a Boiler Maker for the United Steel Company Ltd., but was ‘Out of Work.’ Elizabeth Dickinson was 37 years and 6 months old, and both had been born in Workington, Cumberland. Their son, David Dickinson, was 8 years and 3 months old and had been born in Barrow-in Furness, Lancashire. William Armstrong, 2 years and 1 month old, Adopted Son, was born in Workington, Cumberland.

We next see William Armstrong in the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939. William was a Steelworks Labourer and was living with his adoptive parents and their two sons at 49, New South Watt Street, Workington. I believe I may have also found Thomas, his birth father, living at 1, Shore Terrace, Workington, with his wife, Bertha, and possibly their child but that entry in the register has been redacted. They married in the December quarter of 1931.

Sadly, I have no information about William’s childhood or teenage years, but he was to either enlist or was conscripted. William was serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps and landed on Gold Beach on D-Day. William was doing such a dangerous job in the Royal Army Medical Corps, helping others and he gave his all, including his life, as he was killed as he landed on the beach. He was first buried in Asnelles-sur-Mer and was then reburied on the 30th of October 1944 at Bayeux British Cemetery where he now lies.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of William Armstrong. If you are aware of one or you are related to William we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.