Pte
Thomas Goodwin

Information about birth

Year of birth:
1879
Place of birth:
Marulan, New South Wales, Australia

General information

Last known residence:
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Profession:
Ironworker
Religion:
Roman Catholic

Army information

Country:
Australia
Force:
Australian Imperial Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
7251
Enlistment date:
23/01/1917
Enlistment place:
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Units:
 —  Australian Infantry, 1st Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
03/10/1917
Place of death:
Molenaarelsthoek, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
38

Cemetery

Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood
Plot: XXVI
Row: B
Grave: 4-6

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 4

#1 Place of birth
#2 Last known residence
#3 Enlistment place
#4 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Private Thomas Goodwin was already 37 years of age when he enlisted the Australian Infantry, 1st Battalion, part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division AIF.
The former iron worker was widowed, but lived together with Clara Goodwin (Worthington) and had 2 (illegitimate) children, Jack and Kathleen.

On the 2nd October 1917 the 1st Australian Infantry Battalion moved from Chateau Segard and was in position on Westhoek Ridge by 02.00 on October 3rd to start the preparations for what was later called the Battle of Broodseinde, part of the Battle of Passchendaele the next day.
Tapes marking the assembly positions and jumping off lines were laid by Brigade and Battalion Intelligence Officers on the night October 3/4th in accordance with a pre-arranged plan.
The night was dark and as the rain during the preceding day had turned the swampy ground behind the front line into a morass it was decided to move the whole system of tapes 20 yards further forward than was originally intended. The Units were thus able to assemble on good ground and when the German barrage fell half an hour before Zero they escaped comparatively lightly. The tape laying was completed at 02.00.
The attacking Battalions moved from their positions at varying hours during the night October 3/4th and were all in position by 05.30.

It was during these events that private Thomas Goodwin, age 38, was killed in action together with 2 other soldiers of the 1st Battalion. All three deceased were originally buried in one grave and upon concentration being effected in the Buttes New British Cemetery it was found impossible to separately identify their remains. Notwithstanding this three individual crosses were erected, but later replaced by the one Collective Memorial.
Private Thomas Goodwin is commemorated in Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood, plot XXVI, row B, grave 4-6.

Files 1

Maps View

Sources 8

"Passchendaele The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Unicorn Publishing Group, London,2018, page 110
Sources used
AIF Project
https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=114262
Sources used
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480246/goodwin,-thomas/
Sources used
Service Record
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=4787284
Sources used
The Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=Goodwin&people_service_number=7251&people_unit=
Further reference
The Long, Long Trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Sources used
War Diary 1st Battalion
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347461
Sources used
War Diary 1st Brigade
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347439
Sources used