Photo: Pauline Priano
Heslop's Local Advertiser 24/11/1917
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
Ernest Goodfellow was my grandmother’s first cousin on her father’s side of the family and as young children they lived in Havelock Street a few doors apart. I paid my respects visiting his grave in July 2012.
He was born at 8, Coldwell Street, Felling, Sunday, November 3rd 1889 at 8.15 a.m. the elder of twins. His brother Fred was born at 8.25 a.m. but lived only 18 days. His parents were Matthew Walton Goodfellow of Kate’s Lane, Alston, born February 12th 1854 and Sarah Barber, born August 20th 1857 in Felling, Gateshead. They married at St Mary’s, Heworth, February 14th 1881 and went on to have ten children, six boys and four girls, three of whom died in infancy (including Fred). Ernest’s father worked as a labourer in Alston and, after his migration to County Durham, as a shot firer at Heworth Colliery.
Ernest did not follow in his father and brothers’ footsteps but chose to work as a grocer’s assistant at the Cooperative Store in Coldwell Street. On August 6th 1911 he married his sweetheart Sarah Annie Peters at Gateshead Registry Office and moved to 23, Norman Street, Felling. In 1916 Ernest enlisted as Private 38455 in the Highland Light Infantry, 2nd Battalion, part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. His unit was transferred from the training camp in Aldershot between August 11th-15th 1916 and landed in Boulogne, France. His regiment took part in the Battle of Delville Wood, one of the 12 Battles of the Somme and the Battles of Arras (3). Ernest was killed in action on August 19th 1917. He was finally interred at Cambrin Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, area L5. Cambrin Cemetery can be accessed by a narrow dirt track at the back of the main street, its green lawned area is surrounded by cultivated fields, and contains 816 burials (one unidentified.) His gravestone bears the words, “ever remembered by his sorrowing wife and daughter Winnie.” These additional words would have been paid for by his family.
The family plot can be found in St Mary’s Churchyard, Heworth, the headstone first erected to his sister Annie, it is also the burial place of his parents and the children who died in infancy. The headstone includes the dedication, “ Also Ernest Goodfellow beloved son of the above (referring to his parents Matthew W. and Sarah Goodfellow) and dearly beloved husband of Sarah Annie Goodfellow, who was killed in action Aug 29th 1917 aged 28 years. He answered his country’s call.”
Private 38455 Ernest Goodfellow is commemorated in the Highland Light Infantry Roll of Honour at the National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, on a marble plaque in St Mary’s Church Heworth and on a plaque commissioned by the Cooperative Store, Coldwell Street, Felling which includes the names of two of his fellow workers from WW1. In mid 2014 I made an application and provided the necessary proof for his name to be added to a supplementary list to be included in the Gateshead Roll of Honour. This was accepted in November 2014.
His father Matthew Walton Goodfellow died in Heworth April 22nd 1941 and his mother Sarah Goodfellow nee’ Barber, November 20th 1932. His widow Sarah Annie never remarried and died April 26th 1962. Their only daughter Winnie, born September 7th 1911 married Edmund Smith in 1939 and died in 1997.
Ernest’s eldest brother, named Matthew Walton Goodfellow, born January 31st 1882 in Felling enlisted September 3rd 1914 as Private 177709 in the Durham Light Infantry but was discharged after 41 days, October 13th 1914, under King’s Regulations 392 (iii) “not likely to become an effective soldier,” despite having been considered fit when initially examined by the medical officer during his enlistment. This may have been age related as he was 32 years old.
Remembered with immense pride. In God’s safe keeping. Rest in peace.
His wife added these word to his headstone:-
Ever remembered by
his sorrowing wife
and daughter Winnie.
Heslop's Local Advertiser 24/11/1917 reports his death:
Private Ernest Goodfellow, killed in action, August 19th, aged 28 years. Husband of Annie Goodfellow (nee Peters). Hewitson Terrace, and son of Matthew and Sarah Goodfellow, Havelock Street, Felling. Pte. Goodfellow prior to enlisting was employed as a grocer T Felling Co-operative Store.
Ernest Goodfellow is remembered at Felling on F32.08 at Heworth on F32.08 and at Gateshead on G39.123
