MILITARY HISTORY
GUNNER SYDNEY ELMHURST ARMSTRONG –No. 1260509– Active Service (World War I)
On April 10th, 1916, Sydney Adamson completed the Attestation Paper for the Canadian Active Service Force (CASF) at Coburg Ontario. He was 26 years old when, as an unmarried man, he enlisted for the duration of the War. Sydney was born in Peterborough, Ontario, and gave his birth date as February 1, 1890. He listed his present address as 295 Margaret Ave. Peterborough, Ontario. Sydney indicated that he had no previous military experience and he had not served in an Active Formation or Unit of The Canadian Army.
Sydney indicated he had previously worked as a carpet salesman. He was described as standing 5 feet 11 ½ inches, 155 lbs. with a dark complexion and hazel eyes. He was trained in Halifax.
Gunner Armstrong was sent to England with the Coburg Heavy Battery disembarked in England on November 22, 1915, from Halifax to Plymouth on the Empress of Britain, was transferred to the 165th Canadian Siege Battery on July 5th, 1916, and sent to France on September 21, 1916.
No. 5 Canadian Siege Battery was mobilized in England as ‘No. 165th (Canadian) Siege Battery, CEF’ on June 16, 1916, from personnel from the ‘Canadian Siege Artillery Depot’. It was redesignated ‘No. 5 Canadian Siege Battery, CEF’ on January 24, 1917. The battery disembarked in France on September 21, 1916, where it provided siege artillery support as part of the 2nd Brigade, CGA, CEF in France, and Flanders until the end of the war. The battery was demobilized on May 8, 1919.
Gunner Armstrong fought actively throughout the war and was admitted to hospital with Spanish Flu on 2nd of January 1919. He was released from Hospital on the 16th of January and returned to his regiment. Sydney was reprimanded for drunkenness on May 18th, 1919 – not uncommon after the active fighting had stopped by that time.
Gunner Armstrong was discharged on May 12th, 1919, as part of the demobilization in Kingston Ontario. He had served 3 years and 1 month. He was eligible for the Volunteer Service Medal, British War Medal 1914-1918, and the Victory Medal 1914-1919.
An excerpt from an article in McLean’s magazine by Barbara Amiel, September 1996:
The military is the single calling in the world with job specifications that include a commitment to die for your nation. What could be more honorable?
SYDNEY ELMHURST ARMSTRONG
Sydney Elmhurst Armstrong was born in Otonabee Township, Peterborough County on February 1, 1890, the son of Hannah Elmhirst and Frederick David “Ford” Armstrong. He received his education in the local school and later worked as a carpet salesman. By 1916, the family was living at 295 Margaret Avenue, Peterborough, ON. In April 1916, Sydney went to Cobourg and enlisted to serve his King and Country.
In 1919, Sydney returned home to his family living in Peterborough. On October 16, 1920, Sydney married Alice Margaret Clegg in Peterborough. She was born on September 28, 1893, the daughter of Mary McAvery and Charles Clegg. They made their home in Peterborough and Sydney worked as a transformer. Sadly Alice passed away on March 17, 1973 and Sydney died on March 10, 1980; both are buried in Little Lake Cemetery, Peterborough, ON.
Sydney Elmhurst Armstrong is remembered on a Memorial Plaque that hung in Knox Presbyterian Church which remembers with honour their members who served in the Armed Forces during World War I. This plaque was later moved to the Sanctuary of Lakefield United Church on Regent Street in 1932 after the two churches merged to form Lakefield United Church.
FAMILY HISTORY OF SYDNEY ELMHURST ARMSTRONG
The paternal grandparents of Sydney Elmhurst Armstrong were Elizabeth “Eliza” Elliott born on February 14, 1832 in Smith Township, Peterborough County and William Armstrong born February 8, 1822. They were married in 1852 in Smith Township and made their home in Otonabee Township and they had a family of nine children. Eliza passed away on November 24, 1901 and William died on February 4, 1913; both are buried in Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, ON.
The maternal grandparents of Sydney Elmhurst Armstrong were Jane Steele born on December 4, 1823 and Joseph Henry Elmhirst born in 1816. They lived in Asphodel Township and had a family of eleven children. Joseph passed away on November 21, 1874 and Jane died on October 2, 1884; both are buried in the Westwood Cemetery in Asphodel Township, Peterborough County, ON.
The parents of Sydney Elmhurst Armstrong were Hannah Elmhirst born on November 28, 1859, and Frederick David “Ford” Armstrong born on January 31, 1856, in Otonabee Township. They were married in Otonabee Township on February 25, 1886. They made their home in Otonabee Township and Fred worked as a carpenter. They had two children – William “Bill” Joseph Armstrong and Sydney Elmhurst Armstrong. The family moved to Peterborough in the early 1900s and resided at 295 Margaret Avenue and in the 1930s they were living at 173 Prince Street in Peterborough. Fred passed away on May 20, 1934, and Hannah died on August 31, 1949; both are buried in Little Lake Cemetery in Peterborough, ON