Genealogy Chat

nudging for reading later x

Poor little girl. Susan :(

What a sad and tragic tale..................I hope somebody on here claims her as one of 'theirs'...then she'll never be forgotton.

Hi Paul, You've done it again. How many rabbits do you have in your hat? Keep it coming please. It would be nice in the next addition of the Radyr Parish News, Autumn, to be able to add all information gleamed. Many thanks Paul

Ah, the Special Agent does it again... 22nd May 1943 Nine year old Patricia Armstrong, an evacuee from Woolwich, London, who is billeted in Morganstown, is killed by a train at the Gelynis Crossing. history.cardiffschools.net/WW2school_logs.doc

Patricia died in the A/M/J quarter of 1943 at East Glamorgan 11a 697. I suppose if you were reall keen you could order the birth and death certificates. Of course the local paper from 1943 may well have a write-up.

Hi I've looked to see if she may have had siblings, from the marriage date of 1933 until 1939 and although there are several Armstrong's with Wilson as the mothers maiden name I cannot find any born in Woolwich. The story says that she came from Woolwich so to me it looks even sadder that she was probably an only child. Thanks to all who have replied. Bye Paul

Hi Have looked throught the births till 1937 and have'nt found another birth with Wilson as the mmn in Woolich. It would be nice if you found out she did belong to someones family Cheers Sue

Probable birth of Patricia's mother: Name: Hetty M Wilson Year of Registration: 1911 Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun District: Poplar County: Greater London, London, Middlesex Volume: 1c Page: 450

Wandering through St. John’s Churchyard, I noticed a small overgrown grave beyond the footpath close to the ancient boundary wall. The headstone told of a young girl of nine who had died in 1943. Despite the passage of 64 years, the inscription was still legible. It spoke of a young Patricia Armstrong who, at the age of five, was evacuated from Woolwich to Morganstown on the outbreak of war in 1939. Woolwich Arsenal and Dockyard were prime targets for enemy bombing and although Cardiff suffered bombing, Morganstown would have been a relatively safe haven for young Patricia. At the age of five she would have been old enough to have been afraid but too young to really understand the changes that forced her to leave her loved ones. There was no mention of her family and relatives nor the kind people who offered her a home and shelter away from the London blitz. It is possible that her father would have been on active service in the forces and probably posted overseas which might mean he never saw her again after she left London in 1939. Hopefully, her mother and possibly siblings were able to visit her occasionally. She died from unknown causes during the War years and far away from home was laid to rest in a corner of the churchyard of St. John the Baptist. If she had lived she would have been in her mid seventies now – a great grandmother perhaps, with her family and grandchildren around her. Beyond the path, besides the wall, A grave untended, ignored by all, A brief inscription carved in stone, Is all that remains of a life unknown. Perhaps someone will remember her – I hope so. Win Evans, Radyr Parish News, Summer 2007 Can any of you super sleuths tell us more about this child? Patricia Armstrong born 1934 Q2 Woolwich 1d 1362 Mother’s maiden name Wilson A possible marriage 1933 Q2 Woolwich 1d 2308 Henrietta M Wilson William Armstrong

Updated Feb 2009

For the conclusion please visit:
http://genesreunited.co.uk/boards.asp?wci=thread&tk=1120443