No.201978, Private, John GOOCH
Aged 19
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Born 1898 (1st qtr Bury St Edmunds 4a:870) son of John and Emma GOOCH (née SMITH)
1901 census...Aged 2, William J was at 7 Chapel Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his father John GOOCH [40] shepherd; his mother Emma [30] born Badwell Ash; sisters Beatrice M [9, Florence M [7] and Annie V [5]. All except his mother were born in Bury St.Edmunds 1911 census...Aged 12, ( now John) he was at 3 Hollow Road, Bury St.Edmunds with his parents; sister Violet (Annie V) and Doris [5]; brother Victor (James V) [10], Alma [2] and Reginald [2 month]. All nine siblings survive. CWGC put the family at 2 Etna Road, Bury St.Edmunds. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" gives us the picture:- Zero hour on 23rd April was fixed for 04:45, the British attacking on a 9 mile front.The 4th Suffolk with two companies in the front line and two in support were to attack southwards down its trenches as far as the Sensee valley, and then link up with the brigade making a frontal attack on that part of the Hindenburg line. Some were detailed to mop up in the tunnel, an almost impossible task, driving the Germans back on the surface as well as underground. All was well at first, pushing forward to the edge of the valley they brought in 650 prisoners, a grenatenwerfer and 5 machine gun. 'A' company was within 200 yards of the Sensee valley, 'D' company almost level with them. The enemy counter attacked vigorously and the two companies, unsupported on their flanks were forced to fall back. The tunnel now proved to be the weakness as it concealed a large force which surfaced when the counter attack began. Cut off, part of 'D' company withdrew across country. The maze of communications and support trenches, impossible to guard or even watch, gave the Germans excellent cover. Despite reinforcement from 2 companies of the 5th Scottish Rifles 'C' and 'D' companies had to withdraw to their original starting position by 3 pm. Twice during the day even Battalion HQ was forced to man the parapet. Another barricade was hastily constructed to the rear and a fresh attack was even being launched at 6pm, but was cancelled. The enemy retaliated vigorously, but it quietened down by 10 pm. This small operation had cost the battalion 74 dead, only 14 having identified graves.
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