Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Photo of Thomas John Armstrong – Thomas John Armstrong was born in Mountain Grove, Ontario on October 8, 1896 to Thomas Armstrong and Catherine Drew (died 1905). Thomas married Estella Sills in 1907 and moved to a farm outside Plevna in 1911. His children were Robert, Oliver, Frances, Thomas John and Richard, hers -Arthur and Laura, and theirs - Charles, Susan, Andrew, Martha and Allen. Andy, then 3, remembers Thomas polishing the buttons on his uniform. A neighbour apparently wanted to marry but he “didn’t want to leave any orphans”.

Group Photo – WITH THOMAS KRING Thomas John (right) was recruited in Plevna in January 1916, with Thomas J. Kring (left) who went overseas with him. Soldiers trained in a building built for WWI and slept at a hotel down the main street.

Grave Marker – THE GRAVE SITE Private Thomas John was killed September 16, 1918 at Vimy Ridge. Apparently, Thomas was wounded by a shell, but was helping someone when another shell hit killing a number of them. Thomas was buried at Dury Crucifix Cemetery, near Arras, which was begun by Canadian Units after capture of Dury village, and contained 72 graves at Armistice.

Paying respects – THE GRAVE SITE WITH BROTHER In 1967 Charles (Thomas’ half brother) travelled to Dury Cemetery with his wife and daughter, the first family to visit the grave site. Charles was a retired RCAF Squadron Leader who served in WWII in London and with the Occupation Forces in Celle, Germany.

Vigil 1914-18 – NAME AT VIGIL At the National Vigil for the 90th Anniversary of the Armistice, Thomas John Armstrong's name appeared on the War Memorial in Ottawa at approximately 8:00pm on November 7, 2008

Inscription – Vigil at War Memorial November 2008

Birth Certificate – Birth Record

Certificate of Service – Certificate of Service in the Great European War

Attestation Paper – Attestation Certificate signed by Thomas John Armstrong

Certificate – Certificate of Service in the Great European War

Certificate – Certificate of Service in the Great European War

Plaque