GOODWIN, Francis George DCM

GOODWIN, Francis George – A Southern Downs Veteran

CONFLICT : WWI
SERVICE NO : 601
RANK : Sergeant
UNIT : 15th Battalion
ENLISTMENT DATE : 23/09/1914
AGE : 24
PLACE OF ENLISTMENT : Brisbane, Queensland
PLACE OF BIRTH : Bowral, New South Wales
RELIGION : Church of England
OCCUPATION : Horse Trainer
DATE OF DEATH : 22/10/1965
PLACE OF BURIAL : Campbelltown, New South Wales

MEMORIALS : Dalveen WWI Honour Boards, Stanthorpe Soldiers Memorial Rolls of Honor

View Veteran’s Service File : GOODWIN, Francis George

NOTES :

Francis George Goodwin (known as George) was a son of Robert Arthur and Elizabeth Goodwin (nee Ball) of Bowral, New South Wales on October 1, 1894. His father Robert owned property in the region and was a farrier by trade. George became a successful horse trainer and spent some years employed around the Dalveen area prior to his enlistment in the First World War. George was one of the very first men to enlist for service at the very start of the war and he served right through until the end of the First World War. An application for Special Leave to return to Australia was granted in October 1918.

The 15th Battalion of which he was a member saw service in Gallipoli. After suffering a gunshot wound to his left hand in August 1915, George was transferred to the Royal Naval Hospital in Malta and eventually shipped to England where he was admitted to Fulham Military Hospital for treatment before rejoining his unit. In April 1917 he was promoted to Sergeant. He fought in France and it was here where his heroic actions resulted in him being nominated and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Notification of his Award was published in the London Gazette on October 30, 1918

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. He handled his platoon with great skill after his platoon commander became a casualty. when his platoon was held up by an enemy machine-gun, he got the assistance of a tank and led his platoon against the post, capturing ten of the enemy and two machine guns, and enabling the line to advance. His determined leadership and initiative were of great value.

Sergeant George Goodwin returned to Dalveen for a period of time and was present at a number of post war functions where the community welcomed home their returned servicemen. The Warwick Examiner and Times dated Jan 11, 1919 reported: Amongst those to return from the front of recent date was Sergeant George Goodwin, a young soldier well and favourably known in these parts, where he was variously employed for some years prior to enlisting in the AIF. He looks exceedingly well after his four years’ strenuous fighting on the various fronts.

Kathleen Barling married Francis on April 7, 1929 in Moruya before the couple settled in Campbelltown, New South Wales.

Read about Southern Downs Military History here.