Name
Albert Edward Goodman
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/02/1917
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
43099
Northamptonshire Regiment
6th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
REGINA TRENCH CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT
V. B. 22
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Oxhey memorials
Pre War
Private Albert Edward Goodman 43099, Northamptonshire Regiment, is believed to be the Albert whose parents, George and Sarah (nee Jeffs) Goodman, they were married in 1884 in the Watford district. Sarah was from Watford Town centre originally and his father George grew up just up the back of oxhey around Moor Park mansion estate as George's father James lived in Aston Lodge on the Moor Park Estate and worked for Lord Ebury.
Albert was born on 23 November 1884 and christened on 11 January 1885 in Oxhey. His birthplace is more difficult to pin down conclusively as it varies between census and in other records. However, the transcribed military records (Soldiers Died in the Great War) give Oxhey, albeit misspelt as ‘Oxliey’, and the first census in which he appears with his father as head of household give Hamper Mill, Herts - a water-powered paper mill in the historic county of Hertfordshire, also called Oxhey Mill and a mile or two from Oxhey.
At the 1891 Census, they were staying with Sarah’s sister’s family, the Thackhams at 14, The Mill Square, Rickmansworth, Croxley Green. The Thackhams included David (a general labourer, age 29), his wife, Ellen (age 27) and their children, William J (age 5), Rossae E (age 3) and David (age 1).
The Goodman family included George (age 28), Sarah (age 32), Albert (age 6), Joseph (age 5) and Edith (age 4mths). George is employed as a general labourer. The birthplace for Albert given is Watford.
By the time of the 1901 Census, the family had moved to 3, Maud Villas, New Road, Croxley Green and included George (age 39), Sarah (age 41), Albert (age 16) and a water cress carter, Joseph (a domestic groom, age 13), Edith (age 10) and Florence (age 6). Albert’s place of birth was given as Hamper Mill, Herts.
At the 1911 Census they had moved again and were living with his parents George and Sarah at 122 New Road, Croxley Green. Albert (25) working as a carter on farm, Joseph (age 24) Jane (Joseph’s wife) he and Jane had two children, Ethel (age 1) and Annie (age 7 mths) - annotated as illegitimate. Three of George and Sarah’s children were also there; Albert (age 25), Joseph (age 24), Edith (age 19) and Florence (age 16).
Notes:
The age contradictions are confusing as are the changes to recorded birth places. The latter are all very close together so it may have just been a case of error of recording.
Albert is recorded in the SDITGW records as born on Oxhey (albeit misspelt as ‘Oxliey’) and enlisting in Watford.
Wartime Service
Private Albert Goodman enlisted at Watford as 26968 in the Bedfordshire Regiment. He transferred to 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment which formed part of 54th Brigade and 18th (Eastern) Division.
At the time of Albert’s death the Division was still involved in fighting on the River Ancre in the Somme battlefields. The 6th Northamptonshires, alongside the 12th Middlesex Regiment, joined an attack at Miraumont on 17 and 18 February. On the evening of 16th February the battalion moved up to take part in the attack on S. Miraumont trench and the high ground south of it. At zero hour (5.45 am) on 17th the weather was foggy and full of thaw. Unfortunately, the enemy succeeded in barraging the assembling troops between 4.30 and 5.30 am and caused considerable casualties. Nevertheless, the objective was gained after stiff fighting. Private Albert Goodman was one of those killed.
He is buried at Ridge Trench cemetery, Grandcourt.
Additional Information
Note some sources incorrectly give the date of his death as 11/2/1917. After his death the army paid his father George £8 16s 10d including a £3 war gratuity. Albert’s younger brother Joseph was also killed.
Acknowledgments
Croxley Green History Project, Brian Thomson, Mike Collins, Carol Goodman
