Private Life
In 1926 Armstrong married Hester Draper, daughter of the Rev. W. H. Draper who was Master of the Temple. They were married for 52 years and had three children, one of whom followed a career which took him right to the top of the civil service, becoming Lord Armstrong of Ilminster. Wherever they went Thomas and Hester always took a sincere interest in the well-being of staff and students, and in return they were held in great respect. When he retired in 1968 they were persuaded by the violin teacher Rosemary Rapaport to come and live in the picturesque village of Newton Blossomville in Buckinghamshire, close to the Bedfordshire border. Here he was happy to become part of village life, transforming the humble village choir which won several prizes at local music festivals. After the death of his wife, he followed Rosemary Rapaport to Olney, just a few miles away, where they shared a cottage. Even there he was delighted to play for Mass at the local Roman Catholic church until he became too frail. Both as a musician and as a friend he had the power to enrich the lives of all who were associated with him.
Read more about this topic: Thomas Armstrong (conductor)
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