Alfred Goulder
He was a chorister for seven years at St Thomas, Park Row, Nottingham, and a member of the choir/solo tenor at Southwell Minster for three years. St Thomas's church was closed in 1926 and demolished in 1930 (see church record and history on this Roll of Honour). In 1911 he was a cutter and decorator of cardboard boxes, probably for John Player & Sons.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Alfred was the eldest son of Edwin and Elizabeth Goulder (nee Newham).
Edwin Goulder was born in Nottingham in 1871 and Elizabeth Newham in 1871, also in Nottingham. They were married in 1891and had five children: Nellie b. 1891, Alfred b. 1893, Edwin 1896 (JFM), Bertie b. 19 October 1899 and Ernest b 1904, who were all born in Radford, Nottingham.
In 1901 Edwin an electric wireman, and Elizabeth were living at 1 Ward's Yard, Nottingham, in the parish of All Souls, with their four children, Nellie (9), Alfred (8), Edwin (5) and Bertie (1). Their youngest son, Ernest, was born three years later.
By 1911 the family was living at 13 Beresford Street, Radford; all five children were in the home on the night of the census. Edwin snr. was a coal miner, Nellie a cardboard box maker and Alfred a cutter and decorator of cardboard boxes, both possibly working for John Player & Sons, and their brother Edwin a post boy. Later sources refer to Edwin being blind but not how or when he lost his sight.
An article in the Southwell Minster Parish Magazine in 1916 refers to Alfred travelling from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, to attend Sunday services at the Minster where he was in the choir. No record has yet been found regarding him moving from Nottingham to Ilkeston; it would also have also been a significant weekly journey to Southwell from Nottingham.
Edwin snr. died on 12 June 1918 at the age of 47; he and his wife were then living at 15 Graham Street, Nottingham. H0wever, his widow was living at 6 Graham Street, Radford, when their son's CWGC record was compiled.
In 1939 at the time of the England & Wales Register, Elizabeth and her second son, Edwin, who was a mat maker (Blind Institute), were living at 7 Canning Terrace, Canning Circus.
Elizabeth died on 17 March 1942 at the age of 70; she was still living at 7 Canning Terrace.
Of Alfred's siblings:
Nellie married Frank Bostock in 1915 and they had a son, Stanley, the following year. Nellie, was widowed by the time of her death in 1951 at the age of 59.
Edwin died in 1964 at the age of 69; he was then living in Aspley.
Bertie married Agnes Nally in 1923 and died at the age of 71 in 1971. Bertie also served in the Great War (see 'Extra information').
Ernest married Grace Marshall in 1929 and died in 1971 at the age of 56; he was survived by his wife. He was then living in Lenton.
Alfred joined the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers which had been raised in Newcastle in September 1914 as part of Kitchener's New Army. The Battalion came under 62nd Brigade, 21st Division.
The Battalion completed its training and preparation for front line service, at Tring, Buckinghamshire. He served with the BEF France from 9 September 1915 and was killed less than three weeks later on the first day of the Battle of Loos, 25 September. He was initially reported missing in action and his death was not confirmed until 1916.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
He qualified for the 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC History of the Loos Memorial (extract): the Memorial forms the sides and back of Dud Corner Cemetery. The cemetery is 1km from the village of Loos-en-Gehoelle. The name 'Dud Corner' is believed to be due to the large number of unexploded enemy shells found in the neighbourhood after the Armistice ... The Cemetery stands almost on the site of a German strong point, the Lens Road Redoubt, captured by the 15th (Scottish) Division on the first day of the battle. ... The Memorial commemorates over 20,000 officers and men who have no known grave, who fell in the area from the River Lys to the old southern boundary of the First Army, east and west of Grenay, from the first day of the Battle of Loos to the end of the war.' (www.cwgc.org)
Alfred's younger brother, Bertie, served in the Great War, 57267 Private Lancashire Fusiliers, qualifying for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Given his age Bertie probably was not conscripted until toward the end of the war.
Nottingham General Cemetery family grave, headstone inscription: ‘In loving memory of Edwin the beloved husband of Elizabeth Gould who died June 12th 1918 aged 47 years. Peace after Pain. Also Alfred the beloved son of the above, killed in France Sept. 25th 1914 aged 22 years. Duty nobly done. Also the above Elizabeth Goulder who died March 17th 1942.'
CWGC Additional information: He was the son of Elizabeth Goulder of 6 Graham Street Radford Nottingham and the late Edwin Goulder.
Registers of Soldier's Effects: Both his parents were his legatee.
Bucks. Herald, 18 March 1916: ‘Private Goulder. The many friends of Pte. Goulder, in Tring will read with interest the following appreciation of him, copied from the Southwell Minster Parish Magazine, 'Alfred Goulder enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers, and was billeted in Tring during the months the 21st Division was in training in the district. He was always ready to place his musical gifts at the disposal of the organisers of concerts for the troops, and was frequently head in the town. He also sang at religious services. ‘It is our wish to place on record in the pages of the Magazine the death on the battlefield of one who was seldom much in evidence amongst us because of his retiring disposition, but who nevertheless was a man of sterling quality and some fine attainments. Alfred Goulder was one who helped us on Sunday with his beautiful tenor voice. For some years he came every week from Ilkeston at his own expense to sing voluntarily in the choir, and just before he left for military service his singing had reached such a high standard of efficiency as to qualify him for an appointment in almost any Cathedral. Goulder loved his week-end here in the service of the Church, but willingly did he sacrifice everything to obey his country’s call. This he did soon after the war commenced. Within about a week of leaving for the Front, he came to the Minster to bid us good-bye. It was the last time; he was killed in action only a few days after his arrival in France. May the Lord rest his soul.’’ (britishnewspaperarchive.co,uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour; 12 May 1916: 'Goulder. Lance-Corporal A. Goulder, Northumberland Fusiliers, aged 23 years, missing since September 25th, 1915, now officially reported killed in action, the dearly-beloved and eldest son of Edwin and Elizabeth Goulder, of 15, Graham-street, Radford-boulevard. He lived a true Christian, and died a true hero. – From his sorrowing mother and father, sister and brothers.'
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', May 1916: 'Goulder. Killed in action, September 25th, 1915, Lance-Corporal A. Goulder, Northumberland Fusiliers. Sadly missed. – From his sorrowing aunt Pollie and Uncle Ted Parkes.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, Friday 9 June 1916: ‘Lance-Corpl. A Goulder, Northumberland Fusiliers, of Radford, chorister 7 years at St Thomas’s, Park Row, and 3 years solo tenor Southwell Cathedral, now reported killed in action September 25th.’
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 25 September 1916: ‘In loving memory of our dear son, Alfred, who fell in the battle of Loos, September 25th, 1915, of 15, Graham-street, Radford-boulevard, aged 22. An unknown grave is the bitterest blow, only aching hearts can know. Sadly missed. Father and mother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, Friday 14 June 1918: ‘Goulder. The dearly beloved husband of Elizabeth Goulder, of 15, Graham-street, after a long and painful illness, passed away 12th June, 1918. Interment General Cemetery, Monday, 2.30.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) A source in 1917 mentioned that Edwin suffered from diabetes.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 25 September 1918: Goulder. In loving memory of L/Cpl. Alfred Goulder, killed in action September 25th 1915. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. From his sorrowing mother, brothers Teddy, Ernest, Bert (in France), sister Nellie and husband [Frank Bostock], aunts and uncles.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) NEP ‘In Memoriam’, 25 September 1919, from mother.
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 19 March 1942: (1) ‘Goulder. March 17th, Elizabeth, dearly loved mother of Agnes and Bert [son] and dear grandma of Alfred, Rest after weariness.’ (2) from Edwin [son] ‘Elizabeth of 7 Canning-terrace.’ (3) from Ernest [son] and Grace, children Kathleen, Dennis. (4) from Nellie (Bostock), child Stanley.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Goulder Elizabeth of 7 Canning-terrace Canning Circus Nottingham widow died 17 March 1942 at The City Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 22 April to Nellie Bostock widow. Effects £197 13s. 2d.
Photo of Alfred Goulder
Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France (www.cwgc.org)
Photo of Alfred Goulder
Family headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery (photograph S Roots, September 2025)