Private Goodier Died 100 Years Ago Today

On November 24th, 1915 the following entry outlines the activity of the 18th Battalion on that day: “‘B’ [and] ‘D’ Coys [companies] relieved ‘a’ [and] ‘C’ Coys in trenches.

But that day was to have more import for Private Edward Goodier, reg. no. 53678. His “Circumstances of Death” card outlines what happened:

At about 6.30 o’clock on the evening of November 24th, 1915 whilst in the trenches in the vicinity of Messines, he was struck by an enemy rifle bullet about two inches above the heart, and died within about 30 minutes without regaining consciousness from the time he was hit. Two of his comrades where with him and gave all possible assistance.

Usually the “Circumstances of Death” cards do not outline as much detail as this. For example, the soldier that died the day before, Private William Ryde reg. no. 53278, was simply described as being “Killed in Action.” The War Diary has nothing more to offer.

When Private Goodier died at the age of 32 he was unmarried. He had assigned $2.00 per month of his pay to a John Goodier of St. Thomas and had made out his will on September 20th, 1915 and left all his property to his mother, Mrs. Mary Ellen Goodier of 119 Middlewich Road, Northwick, Cheshire, England.