South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Campaign Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France & Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | St. Amand British Cemetery |
| Arrived in Theatre | Bravery & Conduct Medals | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After 1 January 1916 in France | ~ | Leamington Spa War Memorial |
| Leamington St. John's Memorial | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Died | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Local actions on the Oppy-Arleux line | November 1915 in Leamington Spa | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Oppy-Arleux line near Bray | ~ | ~ |
Circumstances of Death
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Robert is listed as being killed in action on 14th June 1918. The 23rd battalion war diary entries for the period 9th to 15th June (see below) indicate that Robert was most likely killed whilst the Battalion were being relieved from the front line. We have also attached an obituary from the Leamington Spa Courier which gives Robert's date of death as the 11th not the 14th per his War Grave record. This date (11th) ties in with the war diary account of casualties. Oppy-Arleux line – 9 to 11 Jun 1918:Battalion in immediate support. Casualties OR's 1 killed & 2 wounded Oppy-Arleux line – 11 to 12 Jun 1918: Battalion moved in front line, relieving 22nd R Fus night of 11/12th Oppy-Arleux line – 12 Jun 1918: Battalion in front line Oppy-Arleux line – 13 Jun 1918: Relieved by 1st Royal West Kent Regt night of 13/14th Bray 14 Jun 1918: Battalion moved out of the line to transport lines (Madagascar) early morning of 14th, hence to Bray Bray 15 Jun 1918: Battalion at Bray (rest) [until 20th] Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Goodway of 27 Aylesford Street, Leamington Spa, have received news that their eldest son, Pte. Robert Goodman (Royal Fusiliers), was killed in action on or about the 11th inst. A comrade writing to Mrs Goodway: "The Germans opened a strafe on our position, and poor Bob was hit seriously in the thigh. In five minutes he had expired, and we all realised how we had lost one of our best and pluckiest comrade. He was a great favourite in the Company, and we all felt his death very much indeed. I have been in the Company ever since he joined us, early in 1916, and knew him better than most. He had always a smile and a jest when the hot coppers? occurred. He never knew the meaning of the word fear. Pte. Goodman was just over 20 years of age, and had been wounded once and gassed twice since he went to France early in 1916. He was educated under Mr. T. Harrington at the Strubland Street School, and held the post of Assistant Scoutmaster to the St. John's B.P. Scouts before enlisting in the 23rd Fusiliers ("Sportsman's Battalion") in November, 1915. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| Oct Qtr 1897 in Small Heath | 16 Jan 1898 at Birmingham All Saints |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| William George and Annie Elizabeth Goodway | 61 Grove Street, Leamington Spa |
| Schools | Colleges |
| Shrubland Street School | Leicester Street Evening School (1914) |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1897 - 13 Firs Terrace, Armoury Road, Small Heath | 1911 - School |
| 1901 - Great Alne | |
| 1911 - 27 Aylesford Street, Leamington Spa | |
| 1919 - 61 Grove Street, Leamington Spa | |
- Assistant Scoutmaster at St. John's B.P. Scouts
