In honour of the WW1 soldiers named on the Keyworth Memorial on Nottingham Road - the 3 new housing estates Spinners Croft, Keyworth Rise, and Nicker Hill all take their street names from the soldiers who gave thier lives in World War One. These caches are placed in honour of their memories - they are all local to Keyworth in some way. Many of these families were long established in the small community of Keyworth (787 total population made up of 372 males and 415 female - as in 1911 census summary books).
Albert Armstrong was born in 1888 at Keyworth the son of John & Hannah Armstrong (nee Simpson), who were married at Keyworth in 1867. They had 12 children and Albert was the youngest. Albert's siblings were Katherine, Ada, Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Phoebe, Mary, Edith, John (Jack), and Hettie, one child had died. All these siblings are named on Alberts's widow claim in his war records. His Fathers parents were Henry & Hannah Armstrong (nee Henson). His Mothers parents were William & Elizabeth Simpson (nee Disney)
The Armstrongs were a notable Keyworth sporting family. Albert was a professional cricketer whilst his brother John (Jack) was a professional footballer. Jack Armstrong (1884–1963) was a footballer who played in The Football League for Nottingham Forest between 1905 and 1922. The all-time top scorer for Nottingham Forest is Jack Armstrong, who scored an impressive 197 goals during his time at the club in the 1920s and 1930s. His remarkable scoring ability helped shape the early years of the club’s success. Albert's brother Thomas Armstrong played cricket for Nottinghamshire and Albert played for Forest Reserves on several occasions.
In the census of Keyworth 1891 The family were recorded living on Old Lane (now Elm Ave) off Selby Lane (aged 3) & 1901 (aged 13) & 1911 (aged 23), giving his occupation as professional cricketer. By 1913 he had married Annie E Hodgett. They had 2 children Dorothy Ellen born 1914 and Thomas Simpson Armstrong born 1916. On Albert's war records the address given is Rose Grove, Plumtree (Now Keyworth). By 1921 and in 1939 his widow lived in Radcliffe on Trent on Bailey Lane. Annie and her son Thomas and his family moved to Australia and Annie's death is recorded there in 1975.
Albert Armstrong - Corporal G/17763 initially enlisted at West Bridgford on December 1st 1915 into the 27th Reserve Battalion 49725) with the Royal Fusiliers and later transferring to the 6th Battalion, The Queens Own (Royal West Kent) Regiment. He embarked for France on 6th October 1916 and joined his battalion in the field on 18th October 1916. He was killed on 25th July 1917 aged 29. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal which were sent to his widow in 1921.
The photo shows Albert playing for Keyworth Football Club prior to joining the war. Notice from Keyworth Football Club - Review of the Season 1918-1919 KEYWORTH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB. League football has not yet re-started but Keyworth are playing friendlies, sadly without four of their former players who have lost their life in the war – centre forward Albert Armstrong in 1917, wing half Arnold Disney on 13 April 1918, forwards Arthur Disney on 7 June 1917 and Claude Owen Disney on 31 August 1916.
Armstrong Road is named in his honour at the housing estate at Spinners Croft on Station Road/Platt Lane, Keyworth.
The Cache - This is a straight forward cache placed outside the house on Rose Grove, where his brother Jack Armstrong lived and Albert and his wife stayed (taken from his war records).
