Louis Goold
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Louis Goold was born in 1896 to Alfred and Sarah Ann Goold. He had a brother, William, a year older and later, a brother Albert, a year younger, all born in Worksop at 13 Sandy Lane. Louis’s father, Alfred, had spent his earlier years as a miner, but in 1901 as well as working as a miner, he also was recorded as a grocer and general shopkeeper. Ten years later, he was a general dealer with his wife and 16 year old son, William, as business assistants, whilst Louis is still schooling. The family later moved to Overend Road, Worksop and it is noticeable that they named their house, “Louisville”, presumably in remembrance of Louis.
Sec. Lieut. Louis Gould Worksop Guardian 17 May 1918Sincere sympathy will be expressed throughout the town and district with Mr. and Mrs. A Gould, Sandy Lane, Worksop, in the loss they have sustained by the death of their son, Sec. Lieut. Louis Gould R.F.A., who was killed in action on the 11th inst. Beyond a telegram received from the War Office on Wednesday afternoon informing his parents of his death, no further particulars have yet been received. Sec. Lieut. Gould, who was 22 years of age, was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Gould, and was at home on leave in January, going to France for the second time on the 30th of that month, since when he has seen a considerable amount of fighting, and proved himself to be, not only a very capable officer, but a brave soldier, of whom Worksop may well be proud. Few young men were better known, and held in greater esteem by his friends than Louis Gould. He was educated at Worksop Wesleyan Day School, under Mr Roberts, and won a scholarship at the Retford Grammar School. He then entered the Westminster Training College, where two years ago he enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery. He was promoted Bombardier, and returned home last May from France. Entering a Cadet School, where he was successful in his examination, he was Gazetted Sec. Lieutenant, and posted to a R.F.A., Brigade in December last. The Gallant soldier wrote home every day, and a cheery letter was received by his parents from him only yesterday, dated the 8th, written three days previous to his death.(note the Worksop guardian report above has mistakenly spelt his name Gould)
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 :- Louis Goold, Lieut, R.F.A. with the 52nd Army brigade, died of wounds received in action on the night of May 11th. He was struck in the head by a fragment of an enemy shell and never regained consciousness. he was laid to rest in a military cemetery, the whole battery attending his funeral. In a letter to the father, the Major commanding says:- " Your son was beloved by all, and was one of the best officers I ever had. he was always cheerful, willing to do his duty, in fact anxious to do more than he was told. We all knew him for a God fearing, well living young fellow, always prepared to meet his end , if it should come. Please accept my deepest sympathy, and that of all the officers N.C.O.'s and men in his battery." Only a few days before death he wrote in an enthusiastic and cheerful letter to his headmaster:- " I know you must be having an anxious time following the varying fortunes of so many of your old boy, so I will set your mind at rest concerning one of them. I am quite well and in the highest spirits, for during the heavy fighting of the past month the Fates have been kind to me... I am waiting with intense interest for my next RETFORDIAN." Alas the poor lad little guessed that the next number of his school magazine would contain the record of his own sacrifice for the great cause.
