Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Noel and Mabel GOODSIR, Bank of Australasia, Maitland, New South Wales.

Death of Gunner Goodsir.
Mr. N. H. Goodsir, manager of the local branch of the Bank of Australasia, has received a cable from his sister in London, announcing the sad news of  the death of his son, Gunner Norman Goodsir, of the 101st Howitzer Battery, which occurred on the 15th instant. Much sympathy will be felt with Mr.  and Mrs. Goodsir and family in the Ioss of their son, a fine young man, who had not yet reached his 23rd year. The deceased was a native of Traralgon,  Victoria, and came to Maitland with his parents about eight years ago. He completed his education at the Boys' High School, East Maitland, and being of a very quiet, studious nature, was very popular with all who knew him.
He left Sydney on October 17, 1916 and with the First Division of the 101st Howitzer Battery took part in many of the big battles fought in France. At Passchendale he was badly gassed. Prior to his death he was studying in the Wireless School in London, having passed as a wireless operator about 12  months ago. This he intended to make his life's work. He was recalled from Belgium to take up further study in this im portant branch of the war  service, in which he showed much promise. His last letters mentioned that he was looking forward to his arrival home in Maitland about Christmas next, and his unexpected death has therefore come as a great shock to his parents, family, and the large number of friends he had in the town and district,  who will regret to learn the sorrowful news.

AUSTRALIAN GUNNER'S DEATH
An inquest was held on August 19, at Southwark, by Mr. F. Danford Thomas, on Norman Goodsir (22), an Australian gunner, who was shot by Thomas  Barker at Kennington Park road, on July 23, and died from his injuries in the 1st London General Hospital. The Coroner, recalling the circumstances of  the tragedy, said Barker, a cattle dealer of Kirkby Stephen, became suspicious of his wife because she took in two Australian soldiers as lodgers. He  purchased the revolver on July 23, and finding the door bolted, got in through a window, shot Goodsir and the other Australian soldier named Perry,  Mrs. Barker, and finally himself. At the inquest on Barker and his wife a verdict of 'Murder and suicide' was returned against the man. It was stated that  Perry had recovered and had returned to his depot. Mrs. Roelbink, a friend of Goodsir's relatives, living at Maidavale, said she saw him in the hospital,  but he did not mention the affair. Police Constable Sherwood said he heard shots, and saw Goodsir running outside the house. He had been shot  through the chest, and on seeing witness, exclaimed. "I have been shot; for God's sake stop him from doing any further mischief." It was stated  that Goodsir had been on non-military training, and had finished a six months' course, and was waiting for a boat home when the tragedy happened. The jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against Barker.