Name
Robert Stanley Goodman
1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/02/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
33865
Cheshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BRALO BRITISH CEMETERY
3
Greece
Headstone Inscription
HE WAS FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH GOD MAKE US WORTHY OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
UK & Other Memorials
Wheathampstead Village Memorial, St. Peters Church Memorial, Gustard Wood
Pre War
Robert Stanley Goodman was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, in the latter half of 1885, son of James Thomas Goodman, a Straw Hat Maker and Jane Millicent (nee King). Robert was one of eight children five having died in infancy.
The 1891 Census records Robert aged 6, at school, living with his parents, and sister Amy 12, in Elizabeth Street, Luton, Beds. His cousin Ernest King and Uncle Thomas Goodman were also living with the family. By 1901 Robert now 15, had left school and was employed as a Straw Hat Warehouse Clerk, living at home with his parents, sisters Amy, and Annie, at, 32 Elizabeth Street, Luton. The 1911 Census has Robert aged 25, still living at home with his parents and sister Amy, at 37 Elizabeth Street, Luton. All the family were employed in the Straw Hat making industry.
Robert married Gertrude Annie Ward, of Twickenham, Middx, the daughter of William Ward, a retired Metropolitan Police Officer and Emily Ward, at St. Stephen’s Church, East Twickenham, Middlesex, on 15 April 1911. His wife came to live at the Spinney, Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead.
Wartime Service
Robert attested at Luton, Beds on 12 Dec 1915, aged 30, his address was given as 45 Chatsworth Road, Luton, Beds. He was posted to the Army reserve the following day 13 Dec 1915 and was mobilized for war service on 4 Jul 1916 being posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment as Private 30717, joining the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion on 6 Jul 1916. He was transferred to the Cheshire Regiment, 3rd (Reserve) Battalion on 19 Oct 1916, with the new service number 33863, and appointed un-paid Lance Corporal on 16 Dec 1916.
Robert embarked from Southampton on 8 Nov 1916 for Salonica to join his unit, (2nd Battalion which had landed in Salonika in Nov 1915), arriving on 28 Nov 1916, where he served until his death. He reported sick at 63 General Hospital, located at Duban Pass, Seres on 28 Jan 1918, being diagnosed with Malaria he was transferred to 8 Convalescent depot on 7 Feb and 4 Convalescent depot ( Malaria cases) on 9 Feb 1918. He was to be evacuated to UK with the recommendation that any further service should be in France. He had left Salonica on 22 Feb 1918, by train and was taken ill soon after leaving, and worsening was removed from the train on arrival at Bralo and admitted to the Military Hospital Bralo, on 23 Feb1918. He was diagnosed with Malignant Malaria and Blackwater Fever, his condition deteriorated very quickly and he soon became unconscious and going into a deep coma and dying on 25 Feb 1918.
Additional Information
Gertrude received a widow’s pension of 13/9 a week from 2 September 1918, and his effects of £13-11s-11d, Pay Owing and a War Gratuity of £7.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
