First World War in Headington & Marston
Roll of Honour of All Saints’ Church, Highfield

Henry (Harry) GOODGAME (1893–1916)

Henry Goodgame, known as Harry, was born on 6 June 1893, the son of Thomas John Goodgame (born in New Headington in 1861/2) and Sarah Anne Horwood, known as Annie (born in Headington Quarry in 1862, registered second quarter).

Harry’s father Thomas was the eldest son of Thomas & Elizabeth Goodgame, and can be found with them at the age of 7 in Silman’s Row (later renamed Mattock’s Row) on the south side of Wilberforce Street in the 1871 census, but seems to be missing from the 1881 census. His mother was the daughter of Joseph & Annie Horwood, and grew up in Headington Quarry; in 1881, when she was 18, she was living with her family at East View there and working as a laundress together with her mother and two younger sisters.

Harry’s parents were married at Holy Trinity Church in Headington Quarry on 26 April 1886 and had eight children:

• Thomas Joseph Goodgame, recorded as Joseph Thomas Goodgame in baptismal register (born in Headington Quarry on 26 July 1887 and baptised at St Andrew’s Church on 9 October 1887)
• Emily Kate Goodgame, known as Kate (born in Headington Quarry on 22 January 1889 and baptised at St Andrew’s Church on 14 April 1889)
• Florence Goodgame, known as Addie (born in Headington Quarry on 5 February 1891 and baptised at St Andrew’s Church on 19 April 1891)
• Henry (Harry) Goodgame (born in Headington on 6 June 1893 and baptised at St Andrew’s Church on 27 August 1893)
• Violet Mary Goodgame (born in Headington and baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Headington Quarry on 28 July 1895)
• George William John Goodgame (born in Headington and baptised at St Andrew’s Church on 27 June 1897)
• Daisy Goodgame (born in Headington on 24 March 1899 and baptised at St Andrew’s Church on 18 June 1899)
• May Goodgame (born in Headington on 4 July 1902 and baptised at St Andrew’s Church on 7 December 1902).

Harry’s parents began their married life in Headington Quarry, but moved to New Headington shortly before the 1891 census, where they are shown living at the present 83 Lime Walk, next door to the carman Daniel Goodgame, who was Harry’s uncle. His father Thomas (29) was a general labourer, and his mother Sarah Anne (28), was working as a laundress on her own account as well as having three young children to look after: Thomas (3), Kate (2), and Florence (2 months).

At the time of George’s baptism in 1897 they were living in Bateman Street (then East Street), and Harry’s father was working as an engine driver.

By the time of the 1901 census they were still living in New Headington village, but now at 80 New High Street, and Harry’s father was now a wireman with the telephone company. They now had seven children: Thomas (14), Kate (12), Addie (10), Harry (7), Violet (5), George (4), and Daisy (2), and they also had their nephew Thomas Cooper (11 months) staying with them.

By 1911 they were back in Bateman Street (probably No. 1), which had just been taken into the new Highfield parish. Harry (17) and Thomas (23) were now general building labourers like their father, while Florence (20) and Violet (15) were general servants. George (14), Daisy (12), and Mary (8) were still at school. Only Emily Kate (22) was not at home.

 

In the First World War Harry Goodgame was a driver with the Royal Engineers (75th Field Company) (Service No. 44313). He died of wounds in Belgium on 7 May 1916 at the age of 23, and was buried in the Brandhoek Military Cemetery (I. A. 13). He is listed on the roll of honour of All Saints’ Church, Highfield.

 

 

 

Left: Photograph of Harry Goodgame’s grave in the Brandhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, kindly supplied by British War Graves. The text reads:

[Emblem of the
Royal Engineers]

44313 DRIVER
H. GOODGAME
ROYAL ENGINEERS
7TH MAY 1916

†

OUR DEAR HERO
PEACEFULLY SLEEPING
IN THE ARMS OF JESUS