George Percy Goodall

George Goodall enlisted in the ranks of 10th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters when it was being formed (October 1914). He was commissioned lieutenant in the battalion on 15th December 1914, just a few weeks after his initial enlistment and went with the battalion to France in July 1915. He became the Officer Commanding “A” Company. He was killed in action south-east of the town of Ypres on 14th February 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) memorial.

The Nottingham Guardian reported his death in the following way:“We must regret to announce the death in action of Captain G P Goodall of the 10th Battalion Sherwood Foresters.Captain Goodall joined the proposed Nottingham battalion as a private shortly after the commencement of the war, receiving his commission in a very few weeks and being promoted captain at the end of 1914. He proceeded to France last July and visited Nottingham on leave only two months ago. No other officer was more deservedly popular with his men or more careful of their welfare.Captain Goodall was the eldest son of Mr George Goodall of Lucknow Avenue, for many years head of the Nottingham branch of Messrs I and R Morley, and was educated at the Nottingham High School under Dr Gow. Entering the legal profession he was articled to Captain J A H Green then of the firm of Green and Williams. He passed his final examination with honours, and subsequently joined Mr R H Beaumont in partnership, and on the latter’s recent appointment as District Registrar of the High Court and Registrar of the County Court, succeeded him as clerk to the Bingham Bench of Magistrates and Secretary of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce, offices he continued to hold at the time of his death. He was also, for some period, a member of the council of the Nottingham Incorporated Law Society, only resigning when he joined the army. Many societies had the value of his help. For a number of years he was one of the hon. Secretaries of the Nottingham and Notts. Association for the prevention of Consumption [TB], and of the sanatorium at Ratcher’s Hill, connected with it.Captain Goodall joined the army not from any interest in military matters or keenness in athletics or active pursuits. Though a sound man of business, his tastes and habits were more those of the study than of the camp, but he left the congenial career that had opened out before him and took his place in the ranks from a deep feeling of duty and love towards his country. He died in his 38th year.”Tributes were also paid to him, reportedly, in both Nottingham and Bingham courts. In the Guildhall in Nottingham (then the main law courts, now the Galleries of Justice) his death was lamented and the Chairman of the Bench (Mr W B Baggaley) remarked ‘he was a man of great promise and it is very sad that such a life should have been cut off in its prime’.The Bingham Bench was even more effusive on hearing the news of Goodall’s death: His ‘upright character’ and ‘good and useful life’ were praised, as was the way he performed his duties ‘very efficiently’. The acting clerk commented on the feelings of the staff who had worked for Goodall, saying he was ‘a friend, counsellor and guide, always kind, thoughtful and considerate and in every sense a gentleman’. The local police superintendent said the police had lost a good friend and that Goodall ‘was always courteous and ever ready to help and advise’ ... 'Mr RA Young (Nottingham) speaking on behalf of the solicitors, said that their profession knew Captain Goodall as a solicitor of absolutely upright character and great efficiency. His undoubted patriotism had been proved by the action that he took and his commission was won in the best way by a manifestation of his ability, which had he been spared, would have won him equal laurels in civil life.'Transcription of entry in Nottinghamshire Law Society's Roll of Honour: ‘George Percy Goodall. Born in 1878, eldest son of George Goodall JP of Nottingham, educated at the Nottingham High School, articled to Mr JAH Green. (-) honours n his final, practised in partnership with Mr RH Beaumont until Mr Beaumont was appointed District Registrar of the High and County Courts was Clerk to the Bingham Bench, Secretary of the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Council of Nottingham Law Society, Honorary Secretary of the Nottingham and Notts Association for the Prevention of Consumption, for the Sanatorium at (-) Hall and a member of many social, agency and charity Committees to which he devoted much of his leisure. War was utterly repugnant and hateful to his kindly and gentle nature, but duty which was a law to him pointed the way, and he left all he had won and embarked on the great adventure. He joined the 10th Sherwood Foresters as a private but received his commission a few weeks later, and was promoted Captain at the end of 1914. He proceeded to France in July 195 and was killed in action on the 16th February 1916 fighting with the courage and resolution which had won him the confidence of his fellow Officers and the devotion of the men he commanded.’Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 19 February 1916: 'GOODALL, killed in action on February 14th, George Percy Goodall, 10th Sherwood Foresters, 37 years, eldest son of Mr George Goodall.'Probate: Goodall George Percy of Lucknow Avenue, Nottingham. Solicitor, Captain in HM Army died 14 February 1916 at Belgium. Probate Nottingham 9 June to John Alfred Henderson Green, solicitor, captain in HM Army. Effects £3,527 12s 10d.Probate: Goodall George [father] of Lucknow-avenue Nottingham JP died 15 March 1917 Probate Nottingham 25 April to Francis Harrison Goodall [son] lieutenant in HM Army William James Gandy barrister-at-law and John Crosby Warren solicitor. Effects £58672 1s. 4d. Resworn December 1917 £58695 5s. 9d.