224965 Pte. Henry Goodger British Army 11th Hussars (d.3rd Nov 1914) From the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate and Cheriton Herald published on the 23rd of January 1915: "Pathetic interest attaches to a little book that has come into “The Herald†Office this week. It is a small notebook of French origin, containing the opening entries of the diary of a Hythe soldier, Private H. Goodyer (sic), 11th Hussars, the husband of Mrs Goodyer, of 33 Fort Road, Hythe.
Beginning with the mobilization and departure from England in August, the notes cover the retreat from Mons, and the subsequent driving back of the enemy after the battle of the Marne. Incidentally it mentions the famous stand by “L†Battery of the Royal Horse Artillery.
The diary breaks off at the end of October, with the death of the writer, who died on November 3rd from wounds received in action. It is pathetic to reflect that he evidently purchased the book in France with the intention of keeping a record of his experiences in the campaign and in the hope, no doubt, of bringing back to England with him as a memento of the great struggle, only to have his career cut short by a German bullet. The entries are as follows:-
- August 5th – Mobilized at Dublin.
- August 19th – (En)Trained at Maubeuge.
- August 21st – Arrived.
- August 22nd – On patrol, captured 17 Uhlans.
- August 23rd – In Belgium, retired through Mons.
- August 24th – Heavy firing around Avesnes 2 p.m., finished 9 p.m.
- August 25th – Rear guard action.
- August 26th – Under heavy shell fire.
- August 27th – Very quiet.
- August 28th – Retiring under heavy shelling.
- August 29th – Rear guard action.
- August 30th – Rear guard action.
- August 31st - Rear guard action.
- September 1st – Rear guard action. Surprised by enemy; 2 D.G.’s horses stampede. L. Battery cut up. Machine gun puts enemy’s guns out of action. Capture 11 guns.
- September 6th and 7th – Rear guard action.
- September 8th – Finish of retirement.
- September 14th and 15th – Drove enemy out of Braine with heavy losses.
- September 16th – Heavy shell fire. Lost five men, six horses. Purser had bandolier cut away by shell.
- September 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th – Support in trenches, near chateau.
- September 21st – Rest camp.
- September 22nd to 27th – Big battle fought on hills.
- September 28th – Still fighting on hills.
- September 29th – Either side of Champagne valley. 1st Brigade resting in support.
- September 30th – The same.
- October 1st – The same.
- October 2nd – The same.
- October 3rd – Eight days’ march to left flank, “B†squadron.
- October 8th – In support of French under heavy shell fire; one man wounded.
- October 11th – Arrive Merville on French flank.
- October 12th – Flank got in touch with enemy’s cavalry, doing flank patrols under heavy rifle fire. Drove enemy back.
- October 13th – Went out 6 o’clock on officer’s patrol from -------. Surprised by enemy strongly entrenched. Got within 30 yards, retired. Officer killed, tried to get body; one man wounded, one missing, one horse shot; village shelled.
- October 14th – Drove Germans back; infantry captures guns.
- October 15th – The troops on outpost captured three Germans in farm; lost four men.
- October 16th – Lying in support.
- October 17th – Dismounted action, holding enemy in check till infantry come up.
- October 18th – Support to guns in woods.
- October 19th – The same.
- October 20th – In trenches for the night. Pouring with rain. Horses came over on top of me.
- October 21st – Still in trenches; 26 hours under shell and rifle fire.
- October 22nd – In support in trenches. Shell fire during night.
- October 23rd – Retired from trenches at 6 o’clock. Rest day.
- October 24th – Rest day.
- October 25th – In reserve in trenches under shell fire, big guns.
The writer of the diary was H/1657 Private Henry Goodger, who served with the 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars. Goodger was wounded during the fighting at Messines on 30 October 1914 and died of his injuries in hospital, aged 31, at Boulogne on 3 November. He was the son of Louisa Goodger of 18 Milton Street in Worthing, and the late Lewis Goodger. Private Goodger is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery."
|