Goodwin, John William

John (also known as William) was born in Arlesey, Bedfordshire to John and Martha Ann (nee Day) in 1880.

John enlisted at Hitchin on 18^th August 1916, Regimental Number 269127, and was with the Hertfordshire Regiment, 1^st Battalion when they distinguished themselves at St Julien, Ypres on 31 July 1917 (his 39^th birthday). John was killed in action during that battle.

John was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

He is buried at the Bedford House Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium and commemorated on the Ashwell War Memorial.

He married Sarah Taylor in the first quarter 1903 and had three sons, Frederick, Francis and Stanley, who are shown on the 1911 census to be living in Cleve House, Ashwell, Hertfordshire.

Before enlisting John was a well-known and respected Prudential Assurance Agent in Ashwell & District. He was also a keen athlete.

His son, Frederick John was taken prisoner by the Japanese in WWII but survived.