Hedley GOODWIN

25 October 1918

HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE – DEATH OF PRIVATE HEDLEY GOODWIN: THE SECOND SON

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Goodwin of Bransghyll Terrace have received news of the death in action on October 8th of another son, Private Hedley Goodwin, of the Leicester Regiment. Deceased was an exceptionally bright and intelligent lad, and after leaving the local school for some time was employed on a farm. Subsequently he entered the service of the Midland Railway, and his innate courtesy to all was greatly appreciated. He was certainly of the best type of youth, and his early demise is much regretted. Born in April 1899, he was called up in July 1917, and was trained at Catterick and Whitley Bay. Although he had an absolutely clean sheet, the only leave granted him whilst in the Army was a couple of days immediately before proceeding to France on Easter Sunday last. Never a robust lad, he had spent some time in hospital across the Channel. His elder brother, Private Tom Goodwin, fell in action on the Western Front on July 4th 1916. His distracted parents are grateful for the many expressions of sympathy received from a wide circle, which in some measure alleviates the bitter grief.

Second Lieutenant H. Ringham, writing on the 11th inst. says:– “He was greatly respected by his N.C.O.s and fellow men, and I extend to you the deepest sympathy of all in this great loss. As far as I can gather your son was wounded and died almost immediately and was buried the same day.”

Sergeant A. Mills, in his letter on the same day, says:– “We were attacking on the morning of the 8th inst. when he was hit by a bullet, and his death was instantaneous. We buried him shortly afterwards, the remainder of his gun comrades being present. I should like to offer my deepest sympathy to you in your grief, which I assure you is shared by all his comrades. He was a member of my section. A good and reliable soldier – he was well liked and esteemed by all who knew him. The only consolation I can offer is he died a soldier’s death, facing the enemy fighting for God, Home and all that is Right.”

We will give a photograph of the deceased soldier next week.

10 October 1919

GOODWIN – In proud and loving memory of Hedley Goodwin, Pte., 6th Leicester Regiment, who fell in France October 10th, 1918.

It’s lonesome here without you,
And sad the weary way;
Nor is the world the same to us
Since you were called away.
But peaceful is your rest, dear lad,
‘Tis sweet to breathe your name;
In life we loved you very dear,
In death we do the same.

From Father and Mother, Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

If those who caused this awful war
Were the only ones to fight,
A brighter world this would have been
For the aching hearts to-night.

The Family, Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

With aching hearts we shook his hand,
Tears glistened in our eyes;
We wished him luck, but little thought
It was his last good-bye.

From Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle, Aunt and Cousins, Liverpool.

GOODWIN – With deep and sincere remembrance of Hedley Goodwin, who died 8th Oct., 1918.

I cannot clasp your hand, dear pal,
Your smiling face I cannot see,
Yet may this little token show
I still remember thee.

From his pal, Joe.

15 October 1920

IN MEMORIAM

Somewhere abroad there are some graves,
Where lie our dear boys amidst the braves;
Father, O God, we lift our prayer,
And leave them sleeping in Thy care.
Now their comrades have come home,
But they are sleeping across the foam;
Their work is done, they’ve laid their armour down,
Fought the good fight and gained the eternal crown.
Oh, blest are they that live and die like those,
Loved with such love and with such sorrow mourned.

From Family at Brandsghyll Terrace, Horton-in-Ribblesdale; also Grandparents.

14 October 1921

GOODWIN – In loving memory of Ptes. Tom and Hedley Goodwin, killed July 4th, 1916, and October 8th, 1918, respectively.

In our homes you are fondly remembered,
Sweet memories cling around your dear names;
We who loved you in life very dearly
Do love you in death just the same.
No pen can write, no tongue can tell
Our sad and bitter loss,
But God alone has given us strength
To bear our heavy cross.

From Grandparents, Parents and Family, at Horton-in-Ribblesdale.