The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private H R Godden


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Private Harold Ruben GODDEN, S/9150, 1st Battalion,  Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment,  killed in action, Flanders France,  26th March 1915. 

Born Sittingbourne, Kent, son of Edith Godden & Reuben Godden, address unknown.


1901 Census - 3 Ivy Street, Rainham, Kent - Ann Godden, head, age 66, widow, born Newington, Kent; Elizabeth Godden, daughter, age 42, sick nurse, born Rainham, Kent; Henry Godden, son, age 31, single, factory storekeeper, born born Rainham, Kent; Edith Godden, daughter, age 26, single, born Rainham, Kent; Harold, grand/son, age 3, born Sittingbourne, Kent.


1911 Census - 7 Ivy Street, Rainham, Kent - Ann Godden, head, age 76, widow, born Newington, Kent; Harold Ruben Godden, grandson, age 13, school, born Sittingbourne, Kent.


Enlisted Chatham, Kent, age 18 years & 23 days, height 5ft 6 inches, weight 114lbs, brown eyes, dark brown hair. Formerly general labourer.

Next of Kin (Aunt) - Mrs Elizabeth Wilkins, 77 Station Road, Rainham, Kent.

Home, 8th June 1914 to 12th March 1915; BEF, 13th March 1915 to 26th March 1915.

8th June 1914, enlisted & posted 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 5th August 1914, mobilized; 11th September 1914, sleeping on his post whilst a sentry on magazine piquet, about 5.15am; 11th September 1914 to 18th September 1914, awaiting trial; 19th September 1914, tried by General Court Martial  sentenced to 42 days detention; 23rd October 1914, Aldershot, from detention, 7 days permitted for good conduct; 24th October 1914, to duty; 13th March 1915, posted BEF & 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.

3rd July 1919, Statement of Relatives - completed by Elizabeth Wilkins, Aunt - Father, not known; Mother, deceased; Brothers, none; Sisters, none; Grandparents, deceased; Uncle, Henry Godden, age 50, No.1, ???? Square, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent; Aunt, Elizabeth Wilkins, age 60, 77 Station Road, Rainham, Kent.

3rd July 1919, Letter from Mrs E Wilkins - Godden S/9150 was illegitimate. He had ???? and two aunts. He was not recognized by the family except his grandparents ????  ???? and the above named Henry Godden ???? & Wilkins Uncle and Aunt. His mother ??? sister. He has been in charge of ????? Wilkins since the death of his mother  ???he was six years of age.

Commemorated at  Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 45 and 47, Belgium.

External link to Rainham War Memorial


London Gazette 28th March 1916

SOLDIERS BALANCES UNDISPOSED OF.

In pursuance of  The Regimental Debts Act, 1893,  notice is hereby given that there is available for distribution amongst the Next of Kin or others entitled the sum of money set opposite to the name of each of the deceased Soldiers named in the lists which are published with this notice in the London Gazette and the " Army List," and are also to be seen at the Regimental Depots throughout the United Kingdom.

Applications from persons supposing themselves entitled as Next of Kin should be addressed by letter to "The Secretary, War Office, Park Buildings, St. James's Park; London, S.W.," and marked outside " Effects."

War Office, March 28, 1916. R. H. BRADE.

List CCCCXCI of the Names of deceased Soldiers whose Personal Estate is held for distribution amongst the Next of Kin or others entitled. - Effects 1915-1916.

 Private H GODDEN    £2    4s    3d     1st Battalion,  Royal West Kent Regiment


This page was last updated on 30-Apr-2019.

Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason