GODDING, Fines Henry
| Service Number: | 891 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 26 February 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 53rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Grafton, New South Wales, Australia, 1895 |
| Home Town: | Grafton, Clarence Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Grafton Superior Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 30 September 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Tincourt New British Cemetery Plot VI, Row G, Grave No. 15, Tincourt New British Cemetery, Tincourt, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Grafton Primary School Great War Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 891, 17th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 May 1915: | Involvement Private, 891, 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
| 12 May 1915: | Embarked Private, 891, 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Sydney | |
| 30 Sep 1918: | Involvement Private, 891, 53rd Infantry Battalion, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 891 awm_unit: 53rd Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1918-09-30 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
The father of this soldier, Charles James Godding, had served with the New South Wales Contingent in the Sudan War. He lost all of his three sons to war, two during WW1 and the youngest in WW2.
Fines Godding had worked as a labourer until February 1915, when he enlisted in the 17th Battalion, aged 19. He served at Gallipoli from August 1915 until wounded by a bullet through the shoulder on 12 September 1915. He was evacuated to Malta and then Egypt. He was wounded a second time at Pozieres in late July, classified as severe when he was evacuated to England, bomb wounds to the throat, left knee and head. He was sent back to France in October 1916, this time he was sent to the 53rd Battalion and was soon back in for a few weeks’ hospital with a septic left heel. During March 1917 Godding was admitted to hospital with debility and evacuated to England. While in England he wrote to Miss Deakin of the Red Cross, seeking information on his missing brother, Clarence.
“…his name was in the list of missing last evening, and now it has upset me a great deal. I don’t know how my parents at home will take it when they hear the news, it will be a great blow to them, but still, we must of hope for the best. I am giving you father’s address and if you hear anything different, please communicate with me as soon as possible.”
Fines was sent back to France and rejoined the 53rd Battalion during August 1917. At this time, October 1917, his father wrote to Base Records,
“My son, 891 Private F.H. Godding 53rd Battalion has been wounded three times the last time suffering from shell shock and debility. He has returned to duty in France. In the last mail I got a long letter from him telling me how bad he was with his nerves, and suffering with headaches, violent, for days at a time, and he is so weak in himself. He has not the strength to carry his pack. He has been away going on three years, is it possible there is some way of getting him sent back to me. They were both my support and as I have lost my other sons allowance and perhaps himself as well. I would like to see my remaining son come home…...”
Fines was not sent home, and fell ill again during April 1918 with trench fever and was again evacuated to England for a third time. He rejoined his unit on the 19 September 1918, only to be killed in action 11 days later.
His younger brother 5342 Pte. Clarence Sydney Godding 19th Battalion AIF, was eventually confirmed as being killed in action at Bullecourt 3 May, 1917.
An even younger brother, who was only 12/13 years of age when his brothers died, NX17069 Gunner James Keith Godding 2/6th Field Regiment Australian Army, died of illness in service, Sydney, 27 September 1943, aged 38.