Person

Joseph Goodwin Armstrong was born on 26-Mar-1895 in Durham City. His father was Joseph Armstrong, born in Brampton in Cumbria in 1869. At the time of the 1891 census, Joseph senior was working as a railway porter in Durham and lodging at 10 John Street, Durham. The boarding house was kept by Ellen Wright, born 1823 in Scotland, and was home to her daughter Sophia Ellen Wright, born 1860. Joseph and Sophia Ellen married in Durham in 1892. They had a daughter Elizabeth Ellen in 1894 before Joseph Goodwin was born in 1895.

At both the 1901 and 1911 censuses the family are recorded as living in 74, Westminster Street, Bensham, Gateshead with Joseph senior now working as a Railway Guard for North Eastern Railway. By 1911 Joseph had also started work. He was employed by Bainbridges and Co Ltd of Newcastle delivering parcels by van from the drapery department. It is interesting to note in passing that Bainbridges and Co Ltd dates back to 1838 and is recorded as becoming the first department store in the world in 1849 when it began recording weekly turnover separately by department.

Joseph joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on 20-Jun-1917 when he was signed up for the duration of hostilities. His civilian occupation is noted as “horse van man”. He was given the service number F31085, the rank of Aircraftman 2nd grade and the trade of Labourer. He was first sent to Crystal Palace for 6 weeks then posted to Manchester. This was a relatively uncommon destination for RNAS men but may be explained by the UK government’s decision to increase the country’s aircraft production capacity by establishing ‘National Aircraft Factories’ (NAF). These were to be managed by large established industrial firms from outside the aircraft industry. NAF No.2 was created at Crossley Road, Heaton Chapel, next to the London & North Western Railway company’s line between Manchester (London Road) station and Stockport (Edgeley) station. Whilst here, Joseph was promoted to Aircraftman 1st grade on 20-Dec-1917 after serving for six months.

On 01-Apr-1918 the Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed by bringing together the RNAS and the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) to create a single air service. Joseph transferred to this new service with the updated number of 231085 and his equivalent grade in the new service of Private 1st class. He spent almost six months in the RAF Reserve Depot Detail Section where he was promoted to Corporal on 28-Sep-1918. Within two days of his promotion he was posted back to Manchester to Number 15 Aircraft Acceptance Park (AAP). AAPs were locations at which aircraft were fully assembled and flight tested before they could be sent out to their allotted squadrons. They were also used to store the flight-tested machines until they were required in the field. Joseph’s next posting was to the Northern Motor Transport Issue Park which transported new aircraft by rail, and road and air to where they were required.

Joseph completed his active service on 10-Feb-1919 when he was processed through the Fovant Dispersal Camp in Wiltshire. His mother’s address, which was still 74 Westminster Street, was on his service record for his next of kin address and therefore it is likely he returned to Gateshead on his discharge. He transferred to the RAF G Reserve with effect from 12-Mar-1919. Unfortunately no further record of Joseph after the war can be attributed to him with any degree of confidence.

Joseph Goodwin Armstrong was awarded the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Durham

Birth date: 26-Mar-1895

Armed force/civilian: Air Force

Residence: 10 John Street, Durham (birthplace)
74 Westminster Street, Bensham, Gateshead (1901 and 1911 census and RAF discharge address)

Military service:

Enlisted in Royal Naval Air Service, F31085, Aircraftman 2nd grade, 20-Jun-1917
Promoted to Aircraftman 1st grade 20-Dec-1917
Transferred to Royal Air Force, 231085, Private 1st class, 01-Apr-1918
Promoted to Corporal, 28-Sep-1918
Discharged to RAF G Reserve 12-Mar-1919

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham