Charles's Story.
Charles Roberts Goodall was born in 1895 to John, a postman, and Susan Goodall in Runcorn.
In 1911 the family are found living at 81 York Street, a small 2 up 2 down terrace house, with a family of 4, Margaret (17), Herbert (14), Ivy (11) and Charles(16).
Charles is listed as being a Grocers Assistant.
Friday 28th July 1916 Runcorn Weekly News. Page 1
PRIVATE CHARLIE GOODALL. Mr Goodall, of Church street, has received letters informing him of the death of his son, Private C. Goodall, of the 10th Cheshires. The first letter was from the chaplain to the Rev. J. E. Howard, and was as follows: " I believe Private Charlie Goodall came from our Wesleyan Church at Runcorn. l am sorry to tell you that he was killed this morning. His sergeant came into this hospital wounded, and he told me that he and Charlie Goodall were standing together when a shell fell among them. Charlie and several others were killed. I have not yet received the official report of his death, but I am afraid there can be no doubt about it. I am exceedingly sorry, for I regarded him as one of my best friends. Whenever he has had an opportunity he has come to my billet and we have chatted together. I have known him since the Aldershot days, and it is hard to think he has gone. I don't know his address, and I should be obliged if you will prepare his people for the news and send me their address." This was followed by a letter to parents from the lance-corporal of the company, who wrote: "It is with regret I write to inform you of the death of your son Charlie, who was killed on the night of July 14th. As I am the only N.C.O. left in the machine-gun section to which he belonged, you know. I can assure you he suffered no pain death taking place instantaneously. He was one of the best, and we all mourn his loss. He always did his duty well, and I could always rely on him whatever he did. 'Greater love hath no man than this, that he gave his life for his friend.' ' May God comfort you in your great loss and give you strength to bear your trouble bravely. Please accept my deepest sympathy. All his friends in the machine-gun section wish to express their deepest sympathy in your bereavement."
Friday 28th July 1916 Runcorn Weekly News. Page 6
Private C. Goodall, aged 21 years . was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Goodall, of Church street, Runcorn. He joined the 10th Cheshire Regiment in August, 1914, and was drafted out to France on 26th September, 1915. He was an active worker at Brunswick, being on the list of auxiliary teachers when he joined the Army. He laid down his life for the great cause on July 14th, 1916. He was a member of the Men's Bible Class and of Mr. Robert Yates's Society Class. His chaplain, writing .after his death, says: " I have lost one of my best helpers. He was always cheering the wounded soldiers by reading and writing for them, and praying with them." We all know of his cheery optimism by contact with him on his visits home, and those of us who have worked with him know of his great devotion to duty. The Rev. Kingscote Greenland wrote on two or three occasions in the "Recorder," giving him the name of "Cheerful Tommy from Runcorn," and now he has gone to his rest, but his example for good will live after him
Charles has no known grave and is remembered on the Theipval Memorial to the missing.
He is also remembered on a marble tablet unveiled in Brunswick Chapel in 1920
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth