A VERY RARE & EMOTIVE "LONSDALE PALS" CASUALTY
"MILITARY CROSS & PAIR"
To:
2/Lt STUART WYCLIFFE GOODWIN.
11th Bn BORDER REGT.
KILLED-IN-ACTION 31st March 1918 (Age 19)
With a Magnificent Hand to Hand Combat Citation

Having just been decorated for his bravery during a daring trench raid on 20th March, Stuart was Killed by a German sniper at "Ayette" 31st March -1st April 1918 while visiting his post in the forward line. Ayette is a farming village located 9 miles south of Arras.

[BACKGROUND TO THE AWARD,
A daring trench raid on 20th March 1918 ]
(Details from War Diary state) A raiding party of three sections took place 20th March 1918 ....each of the three officers engaged 2/Lt Oliver. 2/Lt Hirst & 2/Lt Goodwin, had 20 men, and the raiders advanced under heavy barrage but met with stubborn machine gun resistance .....they pushed forward to within bombing distance of the enemy machine guns which were unscathed by the (our) barrage but had to withdraw after accounting for a few of the enemy......casualty 1 officer 2/Lt Oliver.....31st ...quiet except for snipers & machine guns at night.

Stuart Goodwin's MC was an immediate award for this action.

[CITATION]
" For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a raid on an enemy position he advanced with his party to within 30 yards of a hostile post. Coming under heavy machine gun fire he withdrew his party to a position in rear. Having reorganised his men he led them forward again to within 10 yards of the hostile post but was prevented from penetrating into it by thick wire and heavy machine gun fire. He however accounted for two of the enemy himself and rifle fire on the remainder as they retreated. He showed a fine example of leadership and initiative."

[THE BACKGROUND TO THE ACTION]
[THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE of 1918]

On the 21st March, the German attack Operation Michael began, against the Third and Fifth British Armies aimed at the junction with the French.The 11th Battalion Border Regiment (The Lonsdales) was in training in the Boesinghe neighbourhood. On the 26th March 1918 it travelled by train at Elverdinghe for Aubigny, N.W. of Arras. Reaching Aubigny at 9 o 'clock that night, then marching 9 miles during an aerial bombardment to Wanquetin. On the 27th March 1918 marching by night to Ransart, to have take up, a reserve position with the 32nd Division, behind the Guards and the 40th Divisions . The early morning of the 28th March 1918 found the Lonsdales in some old trenches about Adinfer Wood. On the 30th March 1918 they were moved forward to a position in the Scots Guards line in front of Moyenneville and Ayette, '' D " '' B '' and '' C " Companies being in the front line. It was here that 2/Lt Goodwin was killed by a German sniper.
"A" Company was in reserve. On the 1st April 1918 the Battalion, from the war diary of this date was '' No. 2 Battalion of No.3 Brigade, holding the line in front of Moyenneville and Courcelles.'' Each company in the front line holding 300 yards of ground, furnishing from three to five posts each, and having in rear a length of old German trench for the accommodation of supports.

[BIOGRAPHY]
GOODWIN, STUART WYCLIFF M.C. Attended BLUNDELLS BOADING SCHOOL, in Tiverton Devon and later London University O.T.C. and the Royal College of Science. His Next-of-Kin were in business and were Living in Constantinople. His father Robert H Goodwin was employed by J.W. WHITTALL & Co Ltd (Turkey)
The company acted as agents in marine insurance through Lloyds in London, as well as having a mining branch, managed by Mr R.H. Goodwin, under the supervision of Edwin WHITTALL, in Borax concessions in Susurluk, and owned a mercury mine in Karaburun, near Smyrna, exploited till 1914, and after WWI till 1925 [ruins still visible].

A really first class M.C. to a young man possessed of great gallantry, who, at only 19 years of age led his men and took on a terrible enemy while leading from the front. From "The Lonsdale Pals" which is one of the leading & most highly collectable Pals regiments.

2/Lt Goodwin is Buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery. Bienvillers is a large village in the department of the Pas de Calais 12 miles south-west of Arras. His grave epitaph, chosen by his father is:
"BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART"

[FOREVER NINETEEN]
Our tribute to the young fallen of The Great War.

" They were the very best, just boys, heroes leaving in the warm August sun. On sooty stations, damp faced young girls waved a million fond farewells, their scented letters slowly read in dim flickering trenches.
A century gone, they grow not old as we grow old, but lay, forever nineteen, forever silent, at final peace, deep in France's mud, lost to sight but not to mind, forever messengers of freedom, forever young, forever brave, cheered on for eternity to ever bolder deeds by love for King & country, with thoughts of home, green fields and the bright hearths of England.
Alan Thomas, 2016.


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