Name
Joseph Goodman (DCM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/11/1918
34
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
8074
Bedfordshire regiment
1st Garrison Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BAREILLY CEMETERY
Plot L Grave 85
India
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth Urban District Memorial
St. Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth
Pre War
Joseph was baptised on the 14th of January 1883 in Rickmansworth the son of Henry and Ellen (nee Gibbs) Goodman. Henry was a Labourer and in 1891 with Ellen, their three children, and Ellen’s mother Rebecca Gibbs, was living in Talbot Road, Rickmansworth. They were still in Talbot Road in 1901 (at Willow Cottages) and 1911 (at No 21). In 1901 Joseph was described as a Labourer Paper Mill, and in 1911 as a General Labourer.
Recorded as enlisting in Watford.
Wartime Service
Joseph served originally with the 1st Battalion, a regular army Battalion which landed in France on the 16th of August 1914 as part of 15th Infantry Brigade 5th Division.
The Division fought in all the early actions of the war including the Battles of Le Cateau (in which 5 Victoria Crosses were won), Marne, Aisne and La Basse. It was at La Basse that Joseph won the Distinguished Conduct Medal the citation reading “For gallant conduct at Neuve Chapelle on 29th October 1914, when he accompanied another man and set fire to a farmhouse occupied by about 50 of the enemy whilst exposed to heavy fire, the enemy were thereby forced to leave the farm, which was an important tactical position”. Joseph received his medal on the 3rd of June 1915.
It is not clear when or why he transferred to 1st Garrison Battalion. This was raised in December 1915 and served in India from February 1916 until disbanded in 1920.
Joseph died at Bareilli on the 30th of November 1918 following an operation.
Additional Information
Brother of Private William Goodman who was killed in action on 16 Oct 1916 and is also commemorated on the Town Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Malcolm Lennox, Tanya Britton, Mike Collins
