Herbert Goodacre
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Herbert Goodacre was born in Worksop, Nottinghamshire. He was the youngest of four children born to Charles and Emma Goodacre, (nee Bettison). Emma was a native of Worksop and lived at Gateford Road with her husband in her parent’s house in 1871. They initially had three children, Mary, born 1872, George, born 1874 and Alice born 1875. There was an 11 year gap before Herbert was born in 1886. Their father, Charles, had spent his working life employed as a miner. By 1881, the family were living in Sandy Lane, a venue that they inhabited for over 30 years. In 1900, Charles Goodacre died in Worksop age 55. In 1901, Emma was being supported by her two sons George and Herbert who were working as a miner and as a pit pony driver, respectively. By 1911, Herbert was living as a boarder in the Layhe family abode, now a miner whilst his mother was still living at 203 Sandy Lane doing char work. At the end of 1912, Herbert married Martha Wilkinson and resided at 65 Gateford Road, Worksop.
Statement of services for Herbert Goodacre - Herbert was attested and joined at Derby for the Sherwood Foresters, No. 21892, on 7 Jan 1915 when he was age 28. It states his wife as Martha Goodacre of 65 Gateford Road, Worksop. At an unknown later date, he transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles, No. 43167. On the 25 Nov 1915 he was drafted to the Mediterranean expeditionary Force and from there, was sent to France on the 28 June 1916. He went missing on the 21 March 1918 and from this date, for official purposes, was presumed killed in action. Rifleman Herbert Goodacre Worksop Guardian 20 June 1919 Another Worksop soldier now presumed dead is Rifleman Herbert Goodacre Royal Irish Rifles of 65 Gateford Road, Worksop, who on May the 8th 1918 was reported missing from March 21st, the first day of the German offensive. On Monday afternoon, his wife received information from the Army Council that the deceased must be presumed dead from the date he was missing. He was last home in February 1918, the month before he was killed. The deceased was very well known in the town and was a splendid soldier. He succeeded Mr G Watkinson as trainer to the Worksop Town first eleven football team, and in that capacity achieved much success. He joined up in January 1915 and has seen much service in Egypt and later in France. Much sympathy is expressed with the widow and the family of three children, whose ages are 10, 6 and 3. Mrs Goodacre has also received a letter of sympathy from his Majesty the King.
He is commemorated in Pozieres Memorial, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
