Heslop's Local Advertiser
Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
James George Henry Gooding (James) was born 1893 at Jarrow, County Durham, the eldest of 5 surviving children (2 deceased), 3 sons and 2 daughters, father William Gooding, a farmer’s son born 1863 at Baylham, Suffolk and mother Margaret Jane born 1866 at Witton le Wear, County Durham. The couple had settled at 40, Derby Street, Jarrow by 1901, William was now a police officer/constable however James (18) and his brother Thomas (17) chose to work as stone men at the colliery moving from Jarrow to 13, Wood Terrace, Bill Quay, Gateshead.
On the outbreak of war James enlisted August 28th 1914 and was assigned as Private 13462 Durham Light Infantry joining the regiment at South Shields as part of the 3rd Battalion. Transferred to the 2nd Battalion January 26th 1915 he was drafted as part of the British Expeditionary Force, joining the regiment in the field, attached to the 18th Brigade, 6th Division, for service on the Western Front in northern France.
Private 13462 James Gooding Durham Light Infantry was killed in action April 11th 1915, his body buried initially at Houplines Old Military Cemetery, marked with a cross. After Armistice between December 19th 1924 and January 7th 1925 along with 7 other servicemen his body was exhumed and reburied at Houplines Communal Cemetery Extension, grave III. C. 30. with all honours and reverence. At the time of his demise he was 22 years old and single.
His father as sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal were returned by him to the War Office having been incorrectly inscribed as J. Godding to be amended, sent to him at 40, Cromwell Terrace, Bill Quay, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 21/05/1915:
"James Gooding, of 13 Wood Terrace, Bill Quay, aged 29 years. At France on 11th April. Son of William and Margaret Gooding, and grandson of James George and the late Elizabeth Henry, of Jarrow."
He is remembered at Heworth on H92.03, H92.04 and H92.07
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 78
