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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 567

Three: Corporal G. N. Goodenough, Royal Engineers

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (25518. Cpl. G. N. Goodenough. R.E.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (25518 Corpl: G. N. Goodenough. R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (25518 Cpl. G. N. Goodenough. R.E.), heavy contact marks, minor edge bruising, nearly very fine (3)

George Nicolas Goodenough was born at Portsea Island, Hampshire in January 1871, the son of William and Caroline Goodenough, of 179 Somers Road, Portsea. His father worked as a county court bailiff whilst the younger Goodenough became a plumber before attesting at St. George’s Barracks, Chatham on 21 January 1891. He was to see Home Service until 19 February 1893 when a posting to Gibraltar saw him join the garrison there for over a year before moving on to Malta for another four being promoted Lance Corporal on 3 August 1899.

On the outbreak of the war in South Africa Goodenough was posted to the Cape, arriving there on 18 October 1899. Here he was to serve for the next three years where the work involved repairing telegraph lines, examining and maintaining railway lines and constructing bridge, all under the threat of attack and occasionally even under fire. Promoted Corporal on 1 May 1902 Goodenough returned to Britain on 28 October that same year.

This was not to be the end of his colonial service however with special secondments to Sierra Leone from 8 February 1907-8 February 1908 and the Gold Coast from 21 January 1910-19 January 1912- though this latter involving some home leave. He was finally discharged on 14 March 1912, it is clear that his time in Africa had affected his health as Goodenough twice requested a doctor in 1912 before dying in Fulham, London on 28 July 1912; sold together with copied research including service papers and census records.

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Sold for
£170

Starting price
£130