William Goodman
In 1911 William was a farm labourer.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William was born in 1892 at Colston Bassett the son of Joseph a farm labourer and Sarah Goodman (née) Spencer of Langar, Barnstone, Nottinghamshire .
His father Joseph was born in 1856 at Halstead, Leicestershire, hs mother Sarah Spencer was born in 1862 at Colston Bassett, they wee married in 1887 their marriage was recorded in the Bingham registration district. they had eight children sadly two were to die in infancy or early childhood, his siblings were Sidney Charles (killed in action 31st July 1917), Edith, Ellen, Joseph and Elizabeth Goodman.
In the 1911 census the family lived at Langar village, Joseph Goodman 54 yrs is a farm labourer, he is living with his wife Sarah 49 yrs and their children, William 19 yrs a farm labourer, Edith 17 yrs helping at home, Ellen 15 yrs a domestic servant, Sidney 13 yrs a famr worker, Joseph 9 yrs a scholar and Elizabeth 7 yrs a scholar.
William enlisted at Nottingham on 24th November 1914 and served with the 10th battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). He was killed on 23rd March 1918 and his name is commemorated on the Arras memorial
His brother Sidney Charles Goodman enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) on 12 July 1915. He was posted to 1st Battalion after 1st January 1916. The 31 July 1917 saw the opening of the 3rd Ypres offensive and the Battle of Pilckem being the first assault. The 1st battalion attacked through Hooge and skirted Bellewaarde Lake, heading via the various ridges to Westhoek. Despite the area being marshy with clumps of trees and German concrete strongpoints, the battalion drove forward and within an hour had established themselves in the enemy support trenches. At a crossroads near Westhoek, the enemy had established a formidable fortified position but by stealth the battalion took it, capturing 42 of the enemy in the process. The battalion then took the ridge and the trenches, which gave great observation over the enemy territory. In the afternoon the enemy shelled the battalion and a counter attacks were made but on all occasions the battalion fought them off. It came at the cost of some 80 men killed on the day and many others wounded. The list of gallantry awards was a testimony to the intense fighting - 2 Distinguished Service Orders, 7 Military Crosses, 8 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 19 Military Medals.
Sidney has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel 39 and 41.
additional research Peter Gillings
Photo of William Goodman
Arras Memorial courtesy of the cwgc