Shields Gazette Friday 28/07/1916

2nd Scottish General Hospital, Craigleith

Newcastle Journal Monday 24/07/1916

Newcastle Journal Tuesday 22/08/1916

Newcastle Journal Thursday 24/08/1916

Humphrey Blaikie Goudie was born 11th September 1897 at South Shields, son of the late Henry Goudie, [who had been a Captain in the RAMC], a local Surgeon, of 1 Westoe Parade, with his wife Isabella, [Ella] daughter of J. Robertson Crease, F.R.C.S.

Humphrey was educated at the preparatory school of Miss Robertson's Girls' School. Then from 15th September 1908 he attended the South Shields High School until the 4th April 1912, and then to Durham School.

He was employed by the Royal Insurance Company for a short period.

When War broke out, he enlisted on the 2nd September 1914, [but due to being only 16 years of age] he enlisted as an orderly in the Royal Army Medical Corps at the 2nd Scottish General Hospital, at Craigleith, Edinburgh. He and his mother had moved to Edinburgh by then.

[Craigleith Poorhouse was founded in 1868 and served the St Cuthbert's district of Edinburgh. It included an Infirmary for the care of sick paupers. In 1914 the Poorhouse was taken over as a military hospital and renamed the 2nd Scottish General Hospital, Craigleith. The "Craigleith Chronicle" served as the Hospital's wartime magazine. The Poorhouse returned to its former function in 1919, and in 1929 it became the Western General Hospital].

He obtained his commission on the 25th June 1915.

He was killed in the Battle of the Somme on the 17th August 1916. He was leading his company's bombers near Martinpuich.

The Somme Diary for the 17th August 1916 reads as follows:- 15th Division. The 7th Camerons (44 Brigade) made a successful attack on Switch Line, but were later to suffer under a German bombardment. The Germans started to bomb westward from the Elbow but they were cleared out by the 8th Seaforths. Meanwhile 10/11th Highland LI (46 Brigade) on the right, extended the hold on Switch Line to a point 120 degrees east of Elbow.

Source: The Somme Day by Day Account Chris McCarthy., ISBN 1860198732 1993.

About a month earlier he had been awarded the Military Cross for For conspicuous gallantry when in charge of a raiding party. He led his men through heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, and bombed the enemy's front trench. Later he returned under fire with a stretcher to bring in a wounded man.

His Commanding Officer wrote:- His death has been a great loss to me and the battalion. I looked on him as one of my most promising young officers, and I know the men of his platoon had the greatest respect for him. I had great pleasure in sending his name in for the Military Cross for good and daring work up north , and was very glad when he was awarded the decoration which he richly deserved. He was always cherry and did his duty in a most conscientious manner, and I knew if he was given work to do, it would be well done. He was an officer I could ill afford to lose. and his Chaplain:- He was a source of inspiration to the men, and conducted himself in his usual fearless manner.

A brother officer also wrote:- We numbered him amongst our best and bravest. He was unmarried.

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

He is remembered in Harton, South Shields on H104.06 and in Durham on D47.020 D47.043 and in D47.057 page 210

History of the Hospital and Location
South Shields Grammar School
The CWGC entry for 2nd Lieutenant Goudie