Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Le Treport Military Cemetery | ||
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.115 | |
| 3. Memorial: | The (1940) Scroll - WW1 Roll of Honour | 6C GQS | |
Awards & Titles: | Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians Member of the Royal College of Surgeons | ||
Early Life :
See http://www.sussexpeople.co.uk/captain-walter-seymour-armstrong/ for a well-researched legend.Son of the (late) Rev. William and Mrs. Eliza Armstrong of Putney. Baptised 15th June 1880. The year of the census shows a large family living at 7 Apsley Road. Thomas J (20), William (19), Charles H. (17) Richard H.S. (13) Edith (6). William Seymour was 8 by this time and therefore at least the 5th son and 6th child.
The 1891 census shows the family now residing in Islington at 14 Kewold Road, however another sibling, Joseph Stanford (26), is now listed. It shows that two of the brothers are Students in medicine, a clear indicator of the kind of career William Seymour is to take up.
On 26th April 1905 he married Florence Hannah Kent (Tunnicliffe) at All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.
In 1907 he was living in Burgess Hill, prior to travelling to Labrador 1908-13. He worked as a volunteer, spending one winter at Battle Harbour, one at Forteau and one at St. Anthony.
Family :
Florence Hannah b.1871-d.1943 of London and later of Carwythenack, Downderry, South CornwallProbate record: ARMSTRONG Walter Seymour of Carwythenack, Downderry, Cornwall. Captain R.A.M.C. Died 31st May 1916 in France on active service. Probate granted to Florence Hannah Armstrong - widow and Frank Morley - surgeon dentist. Effects £546 5s 1d.
Education & Career :
Walter was educated at Mercer's School, London. He further studied medicine at St George's Hospital, London, qualifying L.R.C.P. and M.R.C.S. in 1903, after which he acted as Assistant Medical Registrar. He is listed as a Surgeon (1907)in the records of Royal Clarence Lodge.
He subsequently went onto Labrador and Newfoundland (1908-13), where he was surgeon of St. Anthony's Hospital and surgeon-in-charge of the Indian Harbour Hospital. He was also a local magistrate (JP).
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: Mhow Indian Cavalry Field Ambulance |
| Action : Actions in Spring 1916 |
Actions in Spring 1916 covers a number of non specific actions on the Western Front in the period February to the end of June 1916. Much of this period concerned the build up to the Battle of the Somme, particularly the acclimatisation of the Service Battalions (Kitchener Volunteers) to trench routine. As the Battle of the Somme occupied the plans for 1916 no significant efforts were made in other sectors. Many of the casualties could be considered 'routine'. During the period December to June 1916 5845 British soldiers died in 'minor trench operations'.
Detail :
According to a French hospital report, Walter died in No 3 General Hospital, Le Treport, buried in the military cemetery of the same name. His unit Mhow Indian Cavalry suggests that Walter was involved in the casualty clearing chain, much nearer the front line.
Records of the United Grand Lodge of England relating to Royal Clarence Lodge show that Walter was "Killed in Action 31st May 1918"
Citations & Commemorations :
A fellow practitioner in Labrador, who also served in the British Expeditionary Force at a Casualty Clearing Station, wrote of him: "Armstrong's keenness, his devotion to duty, and his thoughtfulness for the people, had greatly endeared him to all. His loss will be greatly felt in Labrador." Another medical friend writes of him: "Whilst his love for his profession was the dominating factor, he made himself universally popular in all circles, and his death has removed from the profession one who devoted his health and strength in its service." [Source - The Lancet Iss. 4847]Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Royal Clarence No. 271 E.C. | Sussex |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
19th April 1907 | 17th May 1907 | 18th October 1907 |
Discrepancies (Require checks, clarity or further research) :
The baptism record appears as 1890 in searches, but the actual date is 1880 as written on the record itself.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley