Leslie George Goodacre
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of George and Maria Goodacre. In 1911 George and Maria had been married for 31 years and had had five children of whom four were still living at the time of the census. Four children were named on the 1901 and 1911 census: Caroline Alice, Ada, John William and Leslie George. In 1901 George and Maria were living at 12 Milton Street, Bulwell. George was a joiner. Only three of their children were at home the night of the census; Caroline (19) a lace mender, Ada (16) a dressmaker's apprentice and two year old Leslie. Their eldest son, John William (18), was a patient in the City Isolation Hospital, Nottingham. By 1911 the family had moved to 30 Milton Street, Bulwell. Only Caroline, Ada and Leslie, who was still at school, were living at home. George Goodacre died on 24 March 1927 aged 72 years. His daughter Ada Goodacre, died on 23 May 1940 aged 54 and seven months later his widow, Maria, died on 21 December 1940 aged 88 years. Caroline Alice died aged 79 on 25 January 1961; probate was awarded to her surviving brother, John William, a retired joiner and to John Goodacre, presumably his son.
He served in the 1st Garrison Bn. The notice in the Nottingham Post gives the information that he died onboard HMS Macedonia. Macedonia was an armed merchant cruiser, formerly SS Macedonia, and may have been used as a troop ship or hospital ship after the Armistice. Leslie was probably buried at sea; he is commemorated on the Brookwood 1914-1918 Memorial. The CWGC record notes, 'This casualty has recently been accepted for commemoration by the Commission. However, it will not be possible to add his name to this Memorial immediately. Please contact the Commission before planning a visit, for more information.' (download August 2015). Leslie qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC lists him as George Leslie who was aged 27 at the time of his death but the Birth Index, 1911 Census and family records describe him as 'Leslie George' b. abt 1899, and so he would have been only 21 years old at the time of his death (age also given as 21 on family gravestone). Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 3 January 1919: 'Goodacre. Private Leslie George Goodacre, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, died December 23rd 1919 on HMS Macedonia, youngest son of G Goodacre, 30 Milton Street, Bulwell. Father, mother, sisters, brother.' Family grave and headstone, Bulwell St Mary churchyard: Face 1 ‘In loving memory of Leslie George, the beloved son of George & Maria Goodacre, who died at sea while on active service, Dec. 23rd 1919 aged 21 years. Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.’ Face 2 ‘In ever loving memory of George, the beloved husband of Maria Goodacre, died March 24th 1927 aged 72 years.’ Face 3 ‘Also Maria Goodacre died Decr. 21st 1940 aged 88 years. Reunited.’ The headstone also records the death of George and Maria's daughter, Ada, on 23 May 1940 aged 54 years. Probate: Goodacre Caroline Alice of 60 Logan Street Bulwell Nottingham spinster died 25 January 1961 at The General Hospital Nottingham Probate Nottingham 27 March to John William Goodacre retired joiner and John Goodacre dispatch clerk. Effects £1914 8s. 4d.
