Cecil Goody
Cecil was born on June 4th, 1898. Cecil's father was
William Goody and his mother was
Martha Bird. His paternal grandparents were
James Goody and
Ann Richardson. He had five brothers and three sisters, named
Albert,
Arthur,
John,
Albert,
James,
Martha,
Julia and
Emma. He was the youngest of the nine children.
Birth was registered between July-Sept 1898 in Lanchester Registration District.
1901 Census shows that he was 2 years of age, born in Leadgate, County Durham and was living in Leadgate, County Durham.
1911 Census shows that he was 12 years of age, born in Leadgate, Co. Durham and living in Lanchester, Co. Durham.
Cecil joined the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in February 1917 when he was 18 years of age and was sent to France approximately July 1917 to fight in the First World War.
During this time he wrote letters to his family and friends, we have made a transcript of the letters that have been found.
August 31st 1917
Dear Jack,
Now that I have got over my first bit of fighting I will again oblige with a green one. I expect Mother received the letter I wrote two days ago, which I mentioned about being in action. Yes it was action right enough Jack. It will take a hell of a time before I forget it. There is some men here that have been in France for over two years, say it is the worst they have ever been in yet. He must have known where were in, it was absolute hell upon earth. He gave our battalion a shock but I bet he suffered worse than we did, as when we went over the top to meet him we didn’t go over for nothing. Anyhow Jack I managed to come out without a scratch upon me but as I said in Mother’s letter my pal from Chopwell is still reported missing, and one or two more lads that came with me got slight wounds. I had a marvellous escape once over but I will tell you all about it when I return to Blighty as I hate to talk about it now. Your first letter came to hand the day I came out of the trenches dated 16th Aug and your second the following day which was dated 21st of Aug. With this letter I received your box and accept my heartiest thanks for the same Jack. The chocolates was that good that I couldn’t keep off them. You can get chocolate here, but they charge that much for it that it is impossible for us to buy much of it. Your cigarettes are welcomed by the lads out in this part of the world. A piece of news in your first letter was the death of J T Potts.. Have never come across his son yet who you say is in the K.O.Y.L.I. Last night we shifted again, but further down the line and expect shifting a bit further down soon, so will not be in the trenches again for a little bit. You ask me in your first letter if Nelson came with me. No Jack on account of being too small he was kept at the base. A fine kid was Harry but I have never wrote to him yet, and I said before it takes me all my time to keep my own people going. You say Will Lowes is fed up with the business. Well Jack if he is fed up with the job he has, what about us chaps, but it is no good grumbling as you just have to put up with it. I wrote to Ab on Monday and to Jim on Tuesday so you see I try and keep everybody going. Jim’s guessing of my whereabouts is not far wrong. I am on a different front to him if he is where you say. That piece that you had in your last letter about the prophecy of the monk was a bit good. May his words come true although as you say Christmas is too long to wait, but like you, if once more safe and sound back to 473 by Xmas I will also be more than thankful. So Ab is expecting leave. Well Jack he has had a good spell as it will be well on for 15 months I bet since he came out. So Cec. Winter has been home. Has he as much old swank as he used to have Jack. I would like to come across somebody I knew for once. By the way you ask me about the talk of the Yorkshires. Well Jack to tell you the truth I hardly know what some of them talk about but they like the Durham lads as they are always fighting side by side. While we were in the tenth Durhams were beside us still I never seen chap I knew. But the biggest shock of all in your letter was the news that Mother was having a weeks holiday. I nearly dropped when I seen that. But it will have done her no harm, and now is her chance while we are all away to get about as much as she can. Well Jack I am having some troubles to get this wrote as I cannot get a decent seat so you will just have to try and make it out the best way you can and excuse this scribbling. Could have got plenty of keepsakes but I was up the line Jack, but was thinking more of myself than of them. I believe I was on about an air fight last time to you Jack. Well I have seen a one since that and a grand sight it was and plenty of cheers when we seen Fritz coming to the bottom. Well I think I am about finished Jack as it is bit since I wrote a letter as long as this one so I will have to put the shutters up. I could write all night if we were allowed to put in what we like and it is always best to be on the safe side even if you have a green un.
So now I will dry up hoping you are all in the best of health as it leaves ----------
Your Effec Bro
Cecil
Sept 8th 1917
Dear Mother and Father,
Having nothing to do I will give you another line although it is only two days since I wrote. I received your welcome letter yesterday and a one from Harry Nelson at the same time. He tells me he was wrote to you asking if anything is the matter with me. Well the reason he has received no word from me is simply because I did not know his address. He was transferred to another regiment just before I left him so he had a different No and address which I lost. He says this is his second letter to me. Well I have never received his first one if that is the case. Poor kid I think he is in an awful state about me judging by his letter, but will have to reply to him to night. Sorry to hear about Bennett being dead as he was a canny old man. I wrote to Joe last night so he will get a shock when he opens it and finds my name signed to it, as I believe that is my first letter that I have ever wrote to him, since I joined the army. He will likely be giving you a call and telling you all about it. Pleased to hear in this letter of yours that you enjoyed your holiday in Sunderland. Go back again as soon as you can as I am sure it has done you no harm when you tell me you could not eat anything. Sorry to hear Arthur’s letter returned back to him. Hope he will forward it on to me as soon as he can as I like to hear from home. I am now waiting anxiously for your parcel which will not be long now I expect. You can trust me sending for anything if I want it, as I know if it is in your power you will get it for me but cigarettes, sweets or a bit fruit you can send anything you like. Well Mother I will now close and will write again soon. Hope Dad and yourself are in the best of health as it leaves --------------
Your Ever Loving Son
Cecil xxxxxx
P.S. Tell Jack I have got another green un for him.
I have just received your parcel as I finished this letter
Occupation Details
Plumber with Mr Wiliam Calvert
Putter at the Consett Iron Company’s Derwent Colliery, Medomsley.
Death Notes
He suffered wounds to his head and face on 14th October 1917 during the Battle of Polygon Wood and died on 16th October 1917 whilst serving in the 6th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regiment. His Regimental Number was 36063. He is buried in Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, Nord, France, memorial ref 1.O.30.
The following is a transcript of an article that appeared in the Consett Guardian newspaper:
PTE. CECIL GOODY K.O.Y.L.I. OF LEADGATE
This cruel war continues to take toll of the flower of our youth, and another name to be added to the local Roll of Honour is that of Pte. Cecil Goody, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Goody of 473, Bradley Square, Leadgate. The deceased joined up in February of this year, being then but 18 years of age, and went out to the front about four months since, just after reaching his 19th year. He served for some time under Mr. Wm. Calvert as a plumber, being afterwards employed as a putter at the Consett Iron Company’s Derwent Colliery, Medomsley. The deceased was a fine young fellow, enjoying the esteem and goodwill of all with whom he came in contact, and it is scarcely necessary to add that his death is a very severe blow to his father and mother who are old and very highly respected residents of Leadgate. Mr. Goody will be well remembered – by the older school of footballers at any rate – as the esteemed and popular chairman of the committee of the Leadgate Park F.C., on behalf of which club he put in a large amount of valuable work, and was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of that organisation in its palmy days. That being so, it is scarcely to be wondered at that Cecil was also a devotee of the game, and played for the St. Ives Church team. He was a youth of exemplary character, popular alike with his employers and fellow-employees. Two of his brother – Albert and Jim - are serving in France, whilst his eldest brother, Arthur, has been discharged from the army after rendering excellent service with the R.A.M.C..The deceased was admitted to hospital, suffering from wounds, on the 14th October, and died two days later. The utmost sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents and other relatives.
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At a later date the Sister-in charge (E M Lyle) of the 11th C.C.S. France, wrote to Mrs. Goody as follows: “I expect you will have received the sad news of the death of your son, but I thought perhaps you would like a few lines telling you a little more than an official telegram can do. I am not able to tell you very much myself, but at any rate you will know that he was cared for in his last hours. He was admitted here on the 14th October suffering from a wound of head and face. Everything possible was done for him but he passed away at 11.30 am on the 16th. I told him I should be writing to you and he sent his love. The end was very sudden, and rather unexpected, as he seemed to be doing fairly well, but he became unconscious and passed away rather quickly. He will be laid at rest in the cemetery here by the side of his comrades. Please accept my sympathy for you in your sad loss.
