Oldham Historical Research Group

'THE GREAT WAR',     'THE WAR TO END WAR',     'WORLD WAR 1'
'What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
- Only the monstrous anger of the guns.'
                                                                                                  
from 'Anthem for Doomed Youth' by Wilfred Owen

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
JULY TO NOVEMBER 1916

SOLDIERS IN OTHER REGIMENTS

Second-Lieutenant Goddard, 2354
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) 1st/7th Bn.

Newspaper obituary:

"Lieutenant Eric Goddard,
Mossley.
Mr A Goddard, painter and decorator, Micklehurst has received the following letter from Lieutenant-Colonel D Watts, West Riding Regiment, respecting his son Lieutenant Eric Goddard:
6th July, 1916.
I deeply regret to inform you of the death of your son, Second-Lieutenant Goddard, West Riding Regiment. He was missing on the 1st July and his body was found on the 4th near our front trenches. He had been killed by shrapnel and his death must have been instantaneous and quite painless. He was a most promising officer and at the time was on special duty, for which he had been specially chosen. We all deeply regret his loss.
Lieutenant Goddard was 21 years of age. It was intended that he should join his father in business, and to that end was attending the Manchester School of Technology for the study of sanitary engineering when the war broke out and had gained a scholarship. He joined the ranks on October 29, 1914 and just a year later he received his commission, and left for France on May 22nd.."

Medal card
Medal Index Card

CWGC

Second Lieutenant
Date of Death:04/07/1916
Age:21
Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) 1st/7th Bn.
Panel Reference: Pier and Face 6 A and 6 B. Memorial:
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Son of Alfred and Betsy Goddard, of Clarendon House, Micklehurst, Mossley, Manchester.

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