It's difficult to reconcile the different accounts of Tommy Armstrong. Ray Tilly is the son of William Hunter Armstrong and the grandson of Tommy Armstrong, although he did not know either.

He wrote, "The initial suggestions that Tommy was either a thief or a drunkard emanate from his son WHA...However, [WHA] became intolerant towards anyone who drank any alcohol at all. It seems odd that WHA castigated his father but was happy to 'ride on the back of' his success...It is sad that WHA portrayed Tommy as a 'drunkard' when evidence indicates, yes, he liked a drink but certainly could not be described as a 'drunkard.'"

WHA joined the Sons of Temperance Society in 1904. The aims of the Society were twofold; first to promote total abstinence from alcohol and second to provide insurance benefits for persons who abstained. In 1923 WHA was bestowed with the highest position of honour in the Grand Division, that of Grand Worthy Patriarch.

Tommy Armstrong timeline;
1848 born at Shotley Bridge
WHA says; aged nine, started work at East Tanfield Colliery. Spent all his working life in Tanfield Moor, Tanfield Lea and East Tanfield Collieries.
Other accounts; aged eight, started work at Medomsley Busty Pit. Spent much of his working life at West Shield Row Colliery (Oakey's Pit).
1866 putter then hewer at Addison Colliery until end of September
1866 moved to East Tanfield Colliery
1869 married Mary Ann Hunter at Gateshead Register Office on Christmas Day
1874 WHA born at Tanfield
1875 'Sheel Raw Flud'
1878 'Oakey's Keeker'
1880 'The Blanchland Murder'
1882 'Trimdon Grange Explosion'
1885 'Oakey's Strike' written at Red Row, Beamish
1886 'Sooth Medomsley Strike'
1894 'Th'Nue Ralewae te Anfeeld Plane'
1897 'Kelloe Disaster'
1899 spent time in convalescent home in Whitley Bay after his first stroke
1900 appeared in front of Tanfield School Board
1901 married widow Ann Thompson at Tanfield Parish Church
1902 moved to Whitley Bay
1906 back in north west Durham at Ouston
1909 'Murder of Mary Donnelly'
1909 approx, unable to follow his employment since stroke
1911 living as 'invalid' with his widowed daughter-in-law and her nine children in Tanfield Lea
1911 'Consett Choir Calamity'
1912 'Old Folks Tea at West Stanley'
1913 grand benefit concert at Star Cinema, Tantobie
1913 'A Picture Hall at Tantobie'
1913 'Gateshead Poor Children's Trip to Stanley'
1914 benefit concert at Club Hall, Tantobie
1920 died at Tantobie, buried at at St Margaret churchyard, Tantobie
1924 public subscription for a headstone