Pte 22310 Herbert Armstrong

 

In 1901 Herbert aged 6 is living with his paternal grandparents John and Maria Armstrong, at 11 Parker’s Road, Coppenhall. His grandfather is 51 years old, born in Bunbury, Cheshire and is a labourer at a mortar mill, his grandmother is 49 years old and was born in Beeston, Cheshire. Also in the householkd are his aunt Lucy Armstrong who is 24 years old and a general domestic servant and his uncle John Armstrong a 20 year old labourer (ash wagon unloader).   

In 1911 he is 16, and employed as an errand boy for a grocery store. He still lives with his grandparents John and Maria Armstrong who have been married for 38 years and have had four children, two of whom have died. Also in the household are Lizzy Armstrong a 24 year old widow described as daughter in law, also her 2 year old daughter Lucy.  

 

He enlisted on 09th November 1914 in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22310. He gave his age as 19 years and 10 months, his occupation as a grocer, and giving his next of kin as father Charles Armstrong, Nag’s Head Hotel, Bunbury, Cheshire.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 07^th November 1915. 

Herbert died of wounds on 12th April 1917 at 43 Casualty Clearing Station, aged 22.

He now rests at Warlincourt Halte British Cemetery in France.

The site of the cemetery was chosen in May 1916. It was used from June 1916 to May 1917 by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, in February 1917 by the 1/1st South Midland, and from April to June 1917 by the 32nd. The whole of plots VII, VIII, IX and X were filled in April and May 1917, the months of the Battles of Arras. From June 1917, the cemetery was practically unused until the fighting of May and June 1918, when field ambulances buried in it. After the Armistice the cemetery was increased by graves brought in from small military cemeteries. 

The cemetery now contains 1,266 Commonwealth burials of the First World War. There are also 29 German and two French war graves.

The cemetery was designed by Charles Holden.