John White Armstrong was the son of William Armstrong, engine fitter, and Elizabeth Ellen Armstrong.

He attended Westoe Secondary School from 1902 to 1909, with the last three years as pupil teacher and also attending Armstrong Techers College in Newcastle.

In 1916 married Alice Christie in South Shields.

He joined the 20th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry, and served in France. He was wounded, and died on 21-Oct-1918.

He is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, very close to the French border, and 15km north-west of Armentieres.