Avaland Elclair Goddard
He was educated at Nottingham High School. He gave his occupation as house decorator when he joined the Royal Navy in 1918.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Avaland Elclair was the second son of Elijah Henry Goddard and his first wife, Florence Edith (nee Cunningham).
His father Elijah was the son of William Goddard, an estate agent, and after joining his father's business Elijah set up on his own account as an estate agent and auctioneer in 1896.
Elijah and Florence were married in 1894 (reg. OND Nottingham) and had three children the eldest of whom died in infancy: Irene Alexandra (b. 1896 JAS, d. 3 November 1896), Stanley Thomas (b. 28 November 1898) and Avaland Elclair (b. 28 December 1900 reg. 1901 JFM). Florence died aged 34 on 2 January 1901 and her death may have been the result of complications following the birth of her son seven days earlier.
In 1901 the widowed Elijah was living at 1 Broadgate, Beeston, with his infant sons, Stanley (2) and Avaland (3 months). He employed a housekeeper, Elizabeth Ord (28), and also a housemaid and a nurse.
Elijah's housekeeper, Elizabeth Ord, was the daughter of Samuel and Matilda Ord. Samuel was a colliery manager and in 1891 the family lived on Scott Street at Whaley Thorns near Bolsover, Derbyshire.
Elijah and Elizabeth Ord were married in 1902 (reg. JFM Belper) and had three children: Bernard William (b. 14 December 1902), Hubert Henry (b. 5 September 1906) and Leila Mary (birth reg. 1910 JFM).
In 1911 Elijah and Elizabeth were living at 17 Ebers Road, Mapperley Park, Nottingham, which was still the family home at the time of Elijah's death in 1948. The five children were at home on the night of the census: Stanley (12), Avaland (10), Bernard (8), Hubert (4) and Leila (1). Also in the household were a housemaid and a nurse.
Elijah died on 6 December 1948 aged 77; his wife Elizabeth survived him.
Of Avaland's siblings:
Stanley Thomas married Florence Barker in 1923. He died in 1991 at the age of 92; he was then living at 28 Shelford Road, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham.
Bernard William married Winifred L Rushworth in 1928 and died at the age of 82 on 1 August 1985. He was then living in Frodsham, Cheshire.
Hubert Henry died in 1999 at the age of 93.
Leila Mary married Robert Ernest Hatton-Smith at St Andrew's Church, Nottingham, on 28 March 1934.
Avaland joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 10 September 1918 on a 'hostilities only' engagement.
He would have joined at the RNVR training establishment, Royal Naval Depot (Crystal Palace), London, for basic training.
Avaland died in a military hospital less than a month later on 8 October 1918 (death reg. OND Lambeth London). His service record gives the cause of death as 'bronchial pneumonia, cardiac failure', possibly following influenza. He was buried in the family grave in Beeston Cemetery, Nottingham (grave ref. A D3 30).
CWGC record: 'Son of Elijah H. and Elizabeth Goddard, of 17, Ebers Rd., Mapperley Park, Nottingham.' It is probable that Elijah's second wife, Elizabeth, was regarded as Avaland's mother given that his own mother died within a week of his birth.
Beeston Cemetery, Nottingham, family grave, headstone inscription: ‘In loving memory of Florence Edith, the dearly beloved wife of Elijah Henry Goddard died January 2nd 1901. Also of their infant child Irene Alexandra Mary died November 3rd 1896. Also of Avaland Elclair RNVR their beloved son died October 8th 1918 in a military hospital aged 18 (sic) years. 'Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life.' Also of the above Elijah Henry Goddard, died December 6th 1948.’
A photograph of Avaland is on the Nottingham High School website: www.connect.nottinghamhigh.co.uk/exhibits/show/world-war-one/page4
Probate: Goddard Florence Edith of 4 Broadgate Beeston Nottinghamshire (wife of Elijah Henry Goddard) died 2 January 1901 Administration Nottingham 12 March to the said Elijah Henry Goddard estate-agent. Effects £820 9s.
Nottingham Evening Post 28 March 1934 (extract): 'Wedding at St Andrew’s. Mr REH Smith and Miss LM Goddard. The wedding took place today at St Andrew’s Church, Nottinghan, of Mr Robert Ernest Hatton Smith, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Ernest A Smith, of Harby Lodge, Pelham-road, and Miss Leila Mary Goddard, only daughter of Mr and Mrs EH Goddard, 17 Ebers-road Both families are well known in the city ... The bride attended Nottingham High School for Girls, and later was a popular member of the Mapperley Park Tennis Club.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) The bridesmaids included four-year old Leila Christine Goddard (b. 25 April 1930) who was the daughter of Leila's brother, Bernard.
Nottingham Evening Post 9 December 1948 (extract): ‘The late Mr EH Goddard … at the funeral today of Mr EH Goddard of 17 Ebers-road, Mapperley Park … The service at St Andrew’s Church, which preceded cremation at Wilford Hill, was conducted by the vicar, the Rev. R Deaville. The family mourners were: Messrs Stanley, Bernard and Hubert Goddard (sons) and Mr WE Goddard (brother) and Mr WH Goddard (cousin).' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post , 7 December 1948 (extract): ‘Former City Councillor. Death of Mr EH Goddard. A well-known Nottingham estate agent and a former city councillor passed away yesterday in Mr Elijah Henry Goddard, of 17, Ebers-road, Mapperley Park, at the age of 77. The son of the late Mr William Goddard, an estate agent, Mr EH Goddard joined his father in business and then commenced on his own account in 1896 … He leaves a widow, three sons – Messrs Stanley, Bernard and Hubert, and one daughter, Mrs Leila Hatton-Smith.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Goddard Elijah Henry of Sunhaven 17 Ebers-road Nottingham died 6 December 1948 at The Hollies Nursing Home Third Avenue Sherwood Rise Nottingham Probate Nottingham 3 May to Lloyds Bank Limited and Harry White chartered accountant Effects £28594 10s. 8d.
Avaland Eleair Goddard
Beeston Cemetery, Nottingham, family grave/headstone. Photograph Peter Gillings.