Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 10645 Harry Goldman

Age: 19
From: Russian Poland
Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
K.I.A Wednesday 13th December 1916
Commemorated at: Arras Memorial
Panel Ref: Bay 3

Harry Goldman was born in 1896 or 1897 in Russian Poland. (SDGW shows place of birth Whitechapel, and London is shown as his birthplace in the 1901 census, but the later census, completed by his father, shows Russia as place of birth.)

Harry was the eldest son of Myer and Ettie (Ethel) Goldman. His father had a brother Harry, and another brother, Pinchas, who Ancestry trees show died in the Holocaust. Ettie’s maiden name appears on the children’s birth records variously as Hafter, Haafter, After, Afta, or Alftar. His parents were both born in Russian Poland, married at about the age of 16 and came to the U.K. with Harry in 1897-9, settling in the East End of London, where their other children were born: Reuben in 1899, Blomme 1901 (died in infancy), Abraham 1903 (died in infancy), Haimy 1904 (died in infancy) all born in Whitechapel, and Schmuel (Samuel) 1906, Leah 1907, Israel 1908, and Ada 1910, born in St. George’s in the East.

In 1901 the family is living at 22 Batty’s Gardens, Whitechapel. His father, 22, is a cleaner and dyer, his mother is 21, Harry is 4 and Reuben 1.

In 1911 they are at 113 St. George’s Street, St. George in the East, London, with six children.

His parents are both 32. His father Myer is a tailor working on his own account. Harry 14, and Reuben 12, are at school. Samuel is 7, Leah 5, Israel 3, and Ada is 2. They have been married 16 years, and have had 9 children, 3 of whom have died.

It is not known when or why Harry came to Liverpool but SDGW shows he enlisted in the city in the 4th (Extra Reserve) Bn, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment as Pte 10645. Based on the amount of the War Gratuity, Harry served just under two years, enlisting in about January 1915, when he would have been 17 or 18 years old. His medal card shows that he arrived in France on 7th April 1915.

The battalion participated in the fighting at the Somme in July 1916. The 4th Bn War Diary shows -

5/7/1916 - To Field Ambulance

6/7/1916 - To Hospital

There are two brief notations in the Courts Martial Registers: The first was held at Le Quesnoy on 15th June 1916, for Pte. H. Goldman, 4th Liverpool. The second was held in the field on 26th August 1916 for Pte. H. Goldman, 4th Bn Att. 20th Liverpool. No further details are available. It is possible that Harry was transferred, or attached to the 20th Bn K.L.R. after recuperating.

The 20th Bn War Diary for 13th December 1916 records:

“A concentrated bombardment by all the [...] artillery took place in the Monchy Salient, machine guns, trench mortars + rifle grenades also assisted.

6 p.m. - A raiding party of 3 Officers and 45 O.R. raided the enemy’s trenches for the purpose of securing identification and killing Boche. Although gaps had been observed in the wire before dusk, knife rests had been placed in there before the arrival of our raiders. One party got through the wire and entered the Boche lines and found four men in a dugout in shirt sleeves who, refusing to come out, were shot and bombed with lachrymatory bombs. The other party could not get through the wire as sentry groups appeared to have been posted in the gaps. Our men threw several bombs producing [...] and returned. It is believed the enemy were “standing to” on our arrival. No identifications were obtained. Unfortunately three of our men failed to return, one of whom was believed to have been killed, one missing, and the other seen dead. A patrol of six men including Ptes. Armstrong and Holman went back to try and recover the bodies, but met hostile patrol of between 30 and 40 men who subsequently caused them to return to our trenches, no trace of the bodies could be found.”

(Graham Maddox in his book “Liverpool Pals” records six 20th Bn KIA on 13/12/1916.)

Harry was declared Missing on 13th December 1916 and his death later assumed for official purposes as having occurred on or since that date. He was 19 years of age.

His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is on the Arras Memorial in France.

The ARRAS MEMORIAL commemorates almost 35,000 servicemen from the United Kingdom, South Africa and New Zealand who died in the Arras sector between the spring of 1916 and 7 August 1918, the eve of the Advance to Victory, and have no known grave. The most conspicuous events of this period were the Arras offensive of April-May 1917, and the German attack in the spring of 1918. Canadian and Australian servicemen killed in these operations are commemorated by memorials at Vimy and Villers-Bretonneux. A separate memorial remembers those killed in the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. Both cemetery and memorial were designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, with sculpture by Sir William Reid Dick. The memorial was unveiled by Lord Trenchard, Marshal of the Royal Air Force on the 31 July 1932 (originally it had been scheduled for 15 May, but due to the sudden death of French President Doumer, as a mark of respect, the ceremony was postponed until July).

Harry earned his three medals. His mother Ethel living at 3 Hobson’s Place, Pelham Street, East London, received Harry’s Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £10-10s, and a pension of 5/- a week increased to 6/-.

His brother Reuben was called up in April 1918, aged 18, father Myer, address 365 Barking Road, East Ham, but was discharged a month later as physically unfit due to trachoma (an infectious disease of the eye that can cause blindness, which he had suffered since age 12).

The 1921 Census at 233 Barking Rd, East Ham, produces a more accurate structure of his family.

His father Myer is aged 42, born Tarnogród, Poland and working at a tailors outfitter at 365 Barking Rd, mother Ethel is aged 42, born in Warsaw, Poland. Children born in London are Samuel 15, Leah 14, Israel 12, and Ada 10.

It has not been possible to ascertain what became of his family. Ancestry trees suggest the family name was shortened to Gold.

Daily Herald - Thursday 09 January 1913

East Ham

Will Leaguers in Barking, East Ham, Romford, and Stratford please note that Mr. M. Gold, 363 and 365, Barking road, East Ham, willing to give the HERALD Fund 2 ½ per cent, of all amounts paid him for gentlemen's clothes bought at his tailor's shop, if purchased by Heraldites.

West Ham and South Essex Mail - Friday 21 April 1922

THE HAVOC MAKERS.

WANTON DAMAGE TO AN OUT-FITTERS STOCK.

How wanton damage was done by two youths to the goods in the shop of an East Ham tradesman was explained at the local Police-court on Saturday, when Wm. Henry Rumley, 18, a labourer of 10, Priory-road, and John Wm. Hill, 21, a Labourer, of 36, Dickens-road, were deluged with being concerned together in breaking and entering 365, Barking-road, and stealing a large quantity of all kinds of clothing, valued at £96 11s 3d., the property of Mr. Myer Goldman.

West Ham and South Essex Mail - Friday 28 November 1924

STORY OF A SHIRT.

YOUNG SALESMAN CHARGED WITH ROBBING EMPLOYER.

Before the East Ham Stipendiary (Me W. J. Grubbe) on Tuesday morning, a young man named Bert Betts, salesman, of Avenue-road was charged with stealing, on or about September 24th, from 365, Barking-road, one blue striped shirt, value 7s 6d., the property of his employer, Myer Goldman, outfitter. Prosecutor stated that the accused had liven in his employ for some months as a salesman. He noticed on Saturday the nature of the shirt which prisoner was wearing, and, after paying him his week's wages, asked where be bought it. He replied, "My mother bought it at Hazelden's for 5s 11d." When witness informed him that such a shirt could not be purchased under 7s. 6d., accused replied, "Well, it might have been 6s. 6d." Witness requested him to bring the receipt on Monday, and the police were informed. A police stated that when he questioned the accused he repeated the statement made to the prosecutor. At a later stage, however. he said, "I may as well own up; I took it two months ago. I am very sorry for what I have done." Accused now said that he was overworked, and got nothing for it. Prisoner was fined or 13 days' imprisonment.

Kentish Independent - Friday 02 September 1927

WAITZ : GOLD.

A wedding of considerable local interest was solemnized yesterday (Thursday), at the New Hambro' Synagogue, Aldgate, between Miss Miriam Waitz, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Waitz, of 27, Upper Market Street, Woolwich, and Mr. Samuel Gold, son of Mr. M. Gold, of 365, Barking Road, East Ham

Harry was a member of the Jewish Lads Brigade and is commemorated on the excellent website British Jews in the First World War.

We currently have no further information on Harry Goldman. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

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