Ernest William Goodchild's inscription, High Wycombe Cemetery
Ernest William Goodchild 1891 - 1917
My name is Ernest William Goodchild and I am the son of Thomas Stallwood Goodchild who married my mother, Ellen nee Martin in 1890. I was born in Wycombe in 1891. My little brother Arthur Thomas was born in 1897. We lived at Castle Place. My father was a wood carver and, back then, we also had a boarder who was working on his own account as a hairdresser.
As a child I became a chorister at the Wycombe Parish Church and was reputed to be one of the best solo boys in the choir. I was entered in competitions for the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Musical Festival and was lucky enough to come away with first prize. In the obituary in the local paper, which followed my death, it was said that I possessed a voice of exceptional range and purity and in the musical world I was destined to make a name. Under the direction of Mr. G. F. Andrews, A.R.C.O., I had the distinguished honour, as a youth, of singing before the late King Edward, who, patting me on the head congratulated me on my beautiful voice. On that memorable occasion I sang three pieces in the presence of the King – which was a huge honour for one so young. I also sang in the presence of the King of Spain and the Princess Christian. Sir Frederick Bridge, who was no stranger to Wycombe, also took a great interest in my abilities.
When I grew up I became a solicitor's clerk and in 1916 I married Alice May Bailey in Wycombe. For something like seven years I worked in the offices of Mr. J. C. Parker, solicitor, of High Wycombe, who sadly lost another clerk in action (Lieut. Gilbert Callaway who was killed in April 1917). After leaving Mr. Parker's offices, I went to the Registrar's Office at Leighton Buzzard, and from there I joined the R.F.A. in High Wycombe only about five months before my death. I became Gunner E. W. Goodchild, service number 195969 of the Royal Field Artillary, 42nd Battery. My training was of a short duration as I was at the Front for some time before I was gassed by the Germans. I was sent to hospital, in France, but pneumonia followed and, although everything possible was done to save my life, I passed away on the 10th October 1917 at the age of 26 years. I am buried in the Chocques Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais France, and remembered on the High Wycombe Hospital war memorial and here in Wycombe Cemetery.
Researched by Margaret Anderton, Flackwell Local Area History Group and Sally Scagell, Lost the Plot.
