Thomas Goodwin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Thomas Goodwin was born in 1894 at Nottingham, he was the son of William Goodwin a coal miner hewer and his second wife Laura Kate Goodwin née Dorn of 78 Logan Street, Bulwell His father William was born 1854 at Orston, he married his first wife Sarah Ann Elliot (born 1856 died 1914.) ) they were married in 1879 at Nottingham they had 3 children, William b1880, Gertrude 1885 and Frederick b1887. He met his future wife Laura Kate Dorn (born 1866 Abingdon, Berkshire ) whilst his first life was still living, he and Laura went on to have a further 7 children, including Thomas born 1895 at Bulwell, he married Kate in 1901 at Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at 78 Logan Street, Bulwell, William 57 yrs is a coal miner hewer, he is living with his second wife Laura 45 yrs and his children, Walter 22 yrs a coal miner, Horace 17 yrs a coal miner pony driver, Thomas 16 yrs a tree pot maker, Charles 10 yrs, Florence 9 yrs, Ivy 6 yrs and Lily 6 years of age.
Thomas Goodwin enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) between February and April 1914, probably as a reservist. He was called up on the outbreak of war and after some training sent to the BEF and the 2nd Battalion on 24 September 1914. The retreat from Mons had ended and the allies moved forward towards Ypres. Eventually he was posted to 1st Battalion. The war diary for 21 October 1916 gives no help concerning the death of Thomas and two other men. "21st Situation normal. Our Heavy Guns shelled the enemy trenches causing much damage, also making the Germans evacuate portions of their trenches and take to the open. Our snipers inflicted many casualties. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, Somme.John Morse
additional research and information Peter Gillings
