Godfrey John Whitehouse Goodwin
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- Military history
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Godfrey John Whitehouse Goodwin was born on 1st August 1898 at Edgbaston,he was the son of John Godfrey Goodwin a commercial traveller (soap ) and Mary Aston Goodwin, (née Whitehouse) of 'The Cottage', Wellington Street, Matlock.
His father John Godfrey was born in 1860 at Matlock, Derbyshire, his mother Mary Aston Whitehouse was born in 1865 at Tipton, Stafordshire, they were married in 1895 at KingsNorton, Worcestershire, they had 2 further children, Dorothy May b1897 and George born 1900
In 1901, they were living on Gillott Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
In 1911, he was a boarder at Ackworth boarding school just outside Pontefract, Yorkshire. From 1913 he was at King Edward VI Grammar School, Retford.
In the same 1911 census his parents are living at Wellington Square,Matlock, John Godfrey 51 yrs is a traveller he is living with his wife Mary Aston 46 yrs and their children, Dorothy May 14 yrs and George 11 years of age.
He is buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery, Nord, France, Grave Reference: IV A 9
The following article is taken from the 'In memoriam' section of the 'Retfordian' magazine which was an in house publication of the King Edward VI Grammar School, Retford :- Flight Sub-Lieutenant Godfrey John W Goodwin, R.N. who was at school from September 1913 to December 15th, and was so beloved by all his school fellows, who will recall his charming personality and his athletic prowess - especially his magnificent swimming - met his death as a flying officer on March 12th. Flight Sub Lieutenant Goodwin R.N. joined the navy before his 18th birthday, and he was called up for training at the Crystal Palace in August 1916, very shortly after he was 18. In January 1917 he joined a torpedo patrol boat, and was several times in action with the boats, the funnel of his boat being shot away while he was on duty on the bridge. He saw some of the dirty work of the Huns on our hospital ships while his boat was acting as convoy. In October 1917, he was promoted to P.F.O. in R.N.A.S. passing through Greenwich College, Vendonne, Cranwell and Manstone War Flight. He had three days khaki leave, and left home on Friday March 1st, quite unaware that he would be discharged the following day for France. Consequently his parents were quite in ignorance of where and how he met his death. Fortunately a comrade writes:- " I learn that Godfrey was landing from his fourth or fifth raid on enemy territory on the morning of the 12th inst, when his engine choked, igniting or exploding the petrol tank. And you may take it that he had not a sporting chance of escaping death." The Commanding officer of his unit R,N, aerodrome writes;- "He was a steady painstaking officer, quick at learning the art of flying, brave and confident in himself, and with his machine he made rapid progress in his course, getting through in under five months. Your son chose the most dangerous branch of the service, and it is wonderful to see these young men eager to serve their Country and so willing to make the supreme sacrifice. my sympathy is but a poor comfort in your irreparable loss."
Godfrey John W Goodwin
This photo of Godfrey Goodwin was first published in the 'Retfordian' magazine following his death.
Photo of Godfrey John Whitehouse Goodwin
Dunkirk Town Cemetery, commonwealth wargrave headstone marking the grave of Goodwin courtesy of 'wargrave' and find a grave website.