12th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
17/05/1900
Died:
12/08/1917 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
17
Summary
David was a son of Mary Jane Armstrong. David Armstrong was born on 17th May 1900 in Stewartstown. GRONI records his name as David Hawthorne. The family lived at Hill Head, Stewartstown His mother was a general domestic servant. Private Armstrong went to France as a battle casualty replacement to bring their individual battalions back up to strength following the Battle of the Somme. He was wounded at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Private David Armstrong was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of gunshot wounds on Sunday 12th August 1917. He was 17.
Further Information
David was a son of Mary Jane Armstrong. David Armstrong was born on 17th May 1900 in Stewartstown. GRONI records his name as David Hawthorne.
Family: Mary Jane Armstrong, Thomas Armstrong (born about 1893), Annie Armstrong (born about 1897), David Armstrong (born 17th May 1900).
The 1901 census lists David as a baby living with the family at house 12 in Hill Head, Stewartstown, County Tyrone. His father is not listed, but his mother was married and working as a general domestic servant.
The 1911 census lists William David as age 10, living with the family at house 5 in Hill Head, Stewartstown. His mother’s was a widow and her name had changed to Hawthorn.
David Armstrong enlisted in Omagh.
Private Armstrong went to France as a battle casualty replacement to bring their individual battalions back up to strength following the Battle of the Somme.
Both Private Hugh Ashfield and Private Armstrong were wounded at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge and taken to the same hospital.
Private David Armstrong was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of gunshot wounds on Sunday 12th August 1917.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 20th August 1917:
Private David Armstrong, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Stewartstown, died at a clearing station in France from gunshot wounds on Sunday morning, 12th August.
Private Armstrong is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Private Hugh Ashfield is buried just a few graves away in the same row.
David Armstrong is commemorated on Stewartstown Cenotaph and Donaghendry Church of Ireland Roll of Honour, Stewartstown.
The CWGC records Private David Armstrong as the son of Mary Jane Armstrong, of Chapel Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone.
