Name
Walter Jesse Goodge
3rd May 1896.
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/07/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
50300
Suffolk Regiment
9th Bn.
"C" Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE
I. T. 42.
France
Headstone Inscription
"SOMETIME WE'LL UNDERSTAND"
UK & Other Memorials
Breachwood Green Baptist Chapel Memorial, Breachwood Green,
St Mary's Church Memorial, King's Walden,
Not on the Great Offley memorials,
We are not aware of any Darley Hall memorial
Pre War
Walter Jesse Goodge was known as Jesse and was born in Darley Hall, Herts on 3rd May 1896, the son of Albert Goodge (B 1871 in Offley, Herts) and Harriet (nee Fletcher) Goodge (B 1870 in King's Walden, Herts).
He was Baptised Walter Jesse Goodge in St Mary’s Church, King's Walden, Herts, on 14th June 1896.
1901 Census records Jesse aged 4, living with his parents, and sister Florence 2, in Darley Hall, Kings Walden, Herts.
He attended Breachwood Green National school from April 1900 to April 1910.
By 1911 now aged 14, Jesse had left school and was working as a Farm Labourer, living with his parents, Sister Florrie 12, brothers Cecil 9 and Arthur 6, his mother’s elder brother Fred Fletcher was also boarding with then in Darley Hall, Herts.
Wartime Service
Jesse enlisted in Hitchin, Herts.
The SDITGW record indicates he was formerly with the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service No 27724, his Medal Card only gives him as serving with The Suffolk Regiment, with the service No 50300.
At the time off his death Jesse was serving with “C” Company, of the 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. Part of 71st Brigade, 6th Division.
He was Killed in Action on Sunday 22nd July 1917, aged 21 years.
The Hertfordshire Express reported on the 4th of August 1917:
"News was received on Friday week, that Lance-Corporal Jesse Goodge, Middlesex Regiment, was killed in action on Monday last week in France.
Lance-Corporal Goodge was 21 years of age, and was the son of Mr. Albert Goodge, of Darley Hall. He had been in France for about six months, and is the first Darley Hall lad to make the supreme sacrifice."
Followed on the 11th of August by another article:
"Letters have been received by Mrs. Goodge, of Darley Hall, concerning her son, Lance-Corporal J. Goodge, who was killed in action on July 21 or 22. Lieutenant G. H. Moseley, Suffolk Regiment, writes: "On the morning of July 22, at 12.15 a.m., a gas shell came in our front line trenches, killing your son where he stood. Lance-Corporal Goodge was a very efficient N.C.O., and always carried out his duties efficiently and well. His death is very deeply regretted by all who were associated with him and were under him. The Company feels its loss. Please allow me to offer my very deepest sympathy."
His chum, Lance-Corporal Thetwell, in a letter of sympathy, states, "He will never be forgotten".
He is buried in the CWGC Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, Pas de Calais, France.
Additional Information
His mother, Mrs H. Goodge, Darby Hall, Nr Luton, Beds. (should read Darley Hall), ordered his headstone inscription: ""SOMETIME WE'LL UNDERSTAND".
His effects of £3-13s-6d, pay owing and £5, War Gratuity went to his mother Harriet Goodge.
Jesse is also commemorated on the family grave in King's Walden (St. Mary) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO OF L. CPL. JESSE GOODGE. 9TH BATTN. SUFFOLK REGT. KILLED IN ACTION JULY 22ND 1917. AGED 21 YEARS.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Derry Warners
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson, June Colegrove, Mark Morgan, Jonty Wild
