John Armstrong Courtie

 

John Armstrong Courtie
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Some men lied about their ages when they joined up for the First World War.  This is the story of John Armstrong Courtie.

John was born in 1853 at Maryport, Cumberland.  John was the son of Joseph Courtie and Mary Ann Armstrong.

1861 Census, John was 8 years old, and he was living at Crosscanoby district of Maryport.

 Mary at this period was recorded as Mary Ann Pitt, who 37 years old, who was born in Isle of Man.  Her children were

Margaret A. Courtie, 16; Jemima Courtie, 12.  Her two sons, John, 8, and James, 3 had the surname Pitt.

By the time of 1871 Census, Mary, who had changed her surname to Courtie. Her and family were living at St. Columbas, Liverpool.

Mary, 47, was employed as seamstress.  John, 17, was employed as a Carter.  James was 12 years old.  Also present at the property was grandson, John J., 1 years old.

By the time of the 1881 Census, John, was married, to Judith Maides.  They were living at 10 St. Judes Place, Liverpool.

1881 Census

John, 27, was employed as a Carter.  Judith was 25 years old.  Their three children were

John William, 4; Frank Armstrong, 3 and James Henry who was 2 years old.

The family had moved to 2-4 Barnette Road, West Derby, Liverpool, by the time of the 1891 Census

1891 Census

John, 38, was a Carter, whilst Judith, 36, was a Shopkeeper.  Their children were

John, 14, who was a Rivetter Apprentice, Ships. James, 12; Frank, 10, and 5-year-old Frederick all attended school.  Their daughter, Alice was 1 months old.

Also present at the property was Mary Corless, 18-year-old General Servant.

A decade later at the time of the 1901 Census, the family were still living at 2 Barnette Road.

1901 Census

John, 48, was employed as Warehouse Porter, and Judith was 46 years old.  Their children present were

Frank. 20, was employed as Chin Maker.  Fred, 16, was employed as a Plumber.  Judith, 12; Alice, 10; David, 8 and Margaret who was 3 years old.

By the time of the 1911 Census, John and Judith were still living at 2 Barnet Street.

1911 Census

John, now 57, was employed as Dock Porter.  Judith was 55 years old.  Their children who were present at the time of the census were

Alice, 20, who was employed as a General Servant. David, 17, who was employed as a Milk Driver, and Margaret Victoria, 13.

John enlisted during 1915; the Attestation Papers record his age as 49.  He served with the King’s (Liverpool Regiment).  

Attestation Papers

The Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929

Liverpool Echo

By the end of the year, John had died on the 2^nd of October at Swansea Kings Dock.  The Liverpool Echo, reporting his death.  John was buried at Danygraig Cemetery.