Lives of the First World War

Private Benjamin Goodwin (Service no. 2703) served with the 1st/5th Battalion, The York and Lancaster Regiment, 148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division (Territorial Force). Benjamin was born at Swinton, Yorkshire. He enlisted into the Territorial Force at Rotherham on 12th November 1914 for 4 years service, signing to serve overseas. He was originally posted to 2nd/5th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. He embarked Southampton 29th June 1915 and was posted to the 1st/5th Battalion when he arrived in France. Benjamin was accidentally killed during a weapons training session on Sunday, 20th February 1916. A court of inquiry was assembled at McMahon’s Post on 21st February 1916 by order of Lieutenant Colonel F.H.S. Rendall DSO, for the purpose of inquiry into the cause of death of Private Goodwin. During the inquiry Second Lieutenant Stanley Gummer gave evidence that: ‘On the 20th instant I held a class of Instruction on the Lewis rifle in my dug out at McMahon’s Post. We started about 9.30am and I commenced stuffing the rifle. For this purpose I used a live cartridge in accordance with official instructions. After stripping the rifle I had the live round on the table and so far as I can remember I had no occasion to use the live round again that morning. At about 11am I found I needed a dummy cartridge and made one by extracting a bullet from a live round. Emptying out the cordite, firing the cap and afterwards re-inserting the bullet. I used the dummy in showing the class how the extractors on the bolt withdrew the empty case from the chamber after the round had been fired. I then withdrew the dummy round and laid it on the table and proceeded to explain how the feed was worked. To demonstrate this I pulled back the rocking handle after laying what I took to be the dummy cartridge on the feed arm. I then let the bolt go forward slowly, checking it with my hand to show how the round was taken from the feed arm into the chamber by the bolt. Through my handling the rifle for two hours my hands had become oily and my fingers slipped off the rocking handle and allowed the bolt to take the cartridge into the chamber quickly. The cartridge fired and the bullet passed into the body of Pte Goodwin, who was one of the class. I immediately summoned the doctor and stretcher bearer. I must have inadvertently taken up the live round used for stripping two hours before, instead of the dummy I had made as these were the only two rounds which had been on the table during the day.’ Captain F.W. Allen RAMC arrived at the scene at about 11.45am and reported to the inquiry that ‘When I got there I saw Pte Goodwin. He had a large wound in the upper part of the abdomen. He was obviously dying and only lived for about 15 minutes. In my opinion no medical aid could possibly have saved his life.’ On 29th February 1916, the court of inquiry concluded: ‘It would appear from the evidence that 2nd Lieut. Gummer was to blame in not exercising ordinary care in keeping the live round and dummy round separate and also in allowing men to remain in front of the gun while the explanations were being given.’ The Major General, 49th (West Riding) Division reported to 10th Corps on 7th March 1916 ‘I consider that there was carelessness on both points mentioned, and that the Instructor, 2nd Lieutenant Gummer, was to blame. He is a zealous and capable young officer, and he feels his position very keenly. I think he has been sufficiently punished.’ Correspondence from 10th Corps, dated 14th March 1916, reported ‘this officer should be censured for his failure to take proper care, but in view of the opinion as to his character expressed by the G.O.C. 49th Division it is not necessary to order a trial by Court Martial.’ Stanley Gummer remained with the battalion and was subsequently promoted to Captain. Sadly he was later killed in action in Belgium, on 9th October 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Benjamin was buried in Authuile Military Cemetery, Somme, France. In May 1916 Benjamin’s effects, which included letters, a testament and disc, were sent to Lily Agnes Pearce of 19 Steel Street, Holmes, Rotherham. She also received Benjamin’s medals after the war. In May 1919 his brother, William Henry Goodwin (born c. 1877) was living at 6 Chatsworth Road, Rotherham.

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