No.6537, Lance Sergeant, Henry GOODFELLOW
Aged 34
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Born in 1885 William Henry (2nd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:660) son of Henry and Maria GOODFELLOW (née REYNOLDS), he was usually known as Henry.
1891 census...Aged 6, he was at 36 Cemetery Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Hery GOODFELLOW [50] labourer; his mother Maria [33]; sisters Alice [10], Rose [8] and Ellen [4]; brother Ernest []. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds. His mother died at the end of 1896. 1901 census...Aged 16, an errand boy, he was at 130 Cemetery Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; brothers Ernest R, Walter J [10] and Thomas [4]; sisters Ellen R. and Louisa [7] 1911 census...Aged 26, he was a Lance Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment at Barrosa Barracks, Stanhope Lines, Aldershot At 53 Chalk Lane were his widower father. No given names recorded, just an initial. Also there were brothers Ernest (bricklayer's labourer, Walter (porter), Thomas (errand boy); siser Alice (Mrs MEEKINS) her husband W MEEKINS [34] bicklayer's labourer) and their son W [8] and daughter L [4]. Alice had borne 5 children but 3 had died. His brother Ernest Robert was killed in action in May 1915 see here and brother Walter James was killed in November 1915 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The 2nd Suffolks were at Le Cateau during the retreat from Mons. Having reached Le Cateau the Suffolks received an order to stand and fight, which they did, despite being in the most unsuitable defensive position. They, and the Argyll Highlanders, fought for around nine hours before being overwhelmed by the Germans. No-one seems to admit to issuing the first order for them not to retreat, but their heroic endeavours held the Germans long enough for much of the British Division to escape. The battalion suffered over 720 casualties, killed,wounded or missing. CWGC records show that they had 74 killed on 26th, only 7 having known graves.
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