No.50101, Private, Gordon Frederick GOOCH
Aged 23
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Born on 12th April 1894 (2nd qtr 1894 Bury St Edmunds 4a:740) son of James and Alice GOOCH (née COOK).
1901 census...Aged 6, he was at 64 St.Andrews Street North, Bury St.Edmunds with his widower father James GOOCH [41] boot maker; sister Gwendoline [16]; brothers Felix [11], Colonel W [8] and General F [1]. All were born in Bury St.Edmunds. He had in addition elder brothers Arthur W and Newton. His mother had died in 1900, sometime around the birth of his younger brother General French GOOCH His father married Violet Morris in 4th qtr 1901 in Bury St.Edmunds. 1911 census...Aged 16, a mechanic, he was still at 64 St Andrews Street North with his father and stepmther Violet [41] bron Bury St.Edmunds; brothers Felix Frank (mechanic) and General French; half sisters Constance E [9] and Gertrude Irene [3]. He married Ada Rosetta DRANE [9-4-1895] in Bury St.Edmunds in 2nd qtr 1914 . They had two sons, Arthur James [13-10-1914] and Gordon Frederick [30-9-1916] |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. Having volunteered early in the war something must have unsettled him, hence appearing in court as a deserter. This may have led to his discharge in 1915, but the Army soon changed its mind when needing more men and he was called up in June 1916. The 3rd May 1917 was the start of the battle of the Scarpe. After the moon had set and before dawn broke, the attack began. The 18th Div attacking with 2 Brigades. The 55th Brigade captured Cerisy, advancing some 3,000 yards, but this left both flanks in the air and forced them to withdraw to ther original position. The 53td Brigade advancing across open ground were subjected to heacy artillery fire and the 8th Suffolks sustained many casualties. About noon, the Germans counter-attacked and retook Cerisy. Fortunately on the 3rd the 8th Suffolk casualties only consisted of three dead that day.
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