Harold Godber

Harold was the youngest child of Thomas and Elizabeth Godber (née Draper). His father Thomas was born in Hyson Green, Nottingham, on 21 January 1848, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Godber of Pepper Street. His mother Elizabeth Draper was born in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, in 1855 and baptised at Aston on Trent on 29 July the same year. Thomas and Elizabeth were married at St Paul, Hyson Green, on 6 October 1872 and according to the 1911 Census had nine children two of whom (Thomas and Walter) died before 1911. All the children were born in Hyson Green and baptised at St Paul's: Thomas birth registered 1873 (J/F/M) bap November 1875 d. March 1901 (J/F/M Basford); John b. 1874 bap. November 1875; Ada b. 1877 bap. July 1877, Elizabeth b. 1880 bap. December 1880; Albert William b. 1885 bap. December 1885; Walter b. 1887 bap. June 1888 d. 1888 (A/M/J Nottingham); Bernard b. 1889 bap. March 1890; May b. 1893 bap. July 1893 and Harold b. 1895 (J/A/S Nottingham) bap. 6 October 1895. Thomas and Elizabeth were living on Adam's Street, Nottingham, between 1875 and 1877, on Lindsay Street in 1880, at 200 Radford Road in 1885, 15 Osborne Terrace in 1888 and 20 Russell Street in 1890 (baptismal records). When the census was compiled in 1891, Thomas (43), a lace dresser, and Elizabeth (38) were still living at 20 Russell Street. In the home on the night of the census were Thomas (18) an estate agent's clerk, John (16) a clerk at a lace warehouse, Ada (14), Elizabeth (10), Albert (5) and Bernard (1). Another son, Walter (b. 1887), had died in 1888. The following year the eldest son Thomas married Flora Wootton at St Paul's in 1899; they had two children, Arthur Percy and Dorothy. Thomas died in March 1901. Thomas and Elizabeth were at 20 Russell Street with their seven surviving children in 1901. Thomas snr. was now working as an engineer, John was a commercial traveller, Ada a lace mender, Elizabeth a teacher, Albert an office boy and Bernard, May (7) and Harold (5) were at school. The family had moved to 38 Noel Street, Hyson Green, by 1911. Thomas was now a night watchman at a lace warehouse. All seven children were in the home on the night of the census: John a lace warehousman, Ada of no occupation, Elizabeth a school teacher (Forest School), Albert a reports clerk for the Corporation Tramways, Bernard a lace warehouseman, May a clerk for a box maker, and Harold a clerk at a lace warehouse. Thomas and Elizabeth were still living at 38 Noel Street when Harold was killed in action in 1917 and this was also their address on the later CWGC record. Thomas died in August 1925, buried 20 August. Elizabeth probably died in August 1938, buried 17 August. Harold's three brothers also served in the war: John attested on 3 October 1914; he was a commercial traveller and living at 38 Noel Street. He served in 'C' Coy. 1st Cambridge Regiment (7737/329048 Private) but transferred to the 2/4th Norfolk Regiment on 27 October 1917 (468275) and to the 490th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps on 13 December 1917. He was discharged 'no longer physically fit for war service' on 13 March 1918. He had probably served continuously at Home. He died in 1937; he was still living in the family home at 38 Noel Street. Albert William probably served in Royal Artillery (542 Driver Royal Horse Artillery, 612089 Driver Royal Field Artillery) later promoted second lieutenant, Royal Horse Artillery. Bernard attested on 24 September 1914 and joined the Royal Horse Artillery, serving in Egypt 11 April 1915-9 July 1917 and Palestine 10 July 1917-March 1919. He was en-route to the UK from 6 March 1919 arriving 15 March and demobilized on 31 March 1919. He was awarded 28 days furlough in March, home address 38 Noel Street.