Elijah Henry Godber

Elijah Henry was the son of Aaron and Mary Alice Godber (née Woolley). His father Aaron was born in Kimberley in 1864, the son of Frederick Godber, a coal miner, and his wife Eliza (née Harper). The family was living on High Street, Greasley, in 1881; Aaron was a coal miner. His mother Mary Alice was born in Radford, Nottingham, in about 1863, the daughter of James and Frances Woolley. It is likely that her birth was registered as Mary Ann [Woolley] (1863 O/N/D Radford mother's maiden name Smith). In 1881 Mary, a cotton winder, was living with her mother at 19 Bedford Square, Radford; her mother was married but recorded as the head of the household. Aaron and Mary Alice were married at Radford St Peter in May 1890. They had two sons, Elijah Henry b. Kimberley 1891 and William Clarence b. Bobbers Mill 1903. In 1891, the year after their marriage, Aaron and Mary were living on Lawrence Street, Radford. Also in the household were Mary Woolley (67) a widow living on her own means and a lodger, Annie Burton, a cotton winder. By 1901 Aaron and Mary were living at 3 Mosley's Buildings, Plantation Side, Bobbers Mill, Nottingham, with their son Elijah (9). Also in the household on the night of the census were her widowed mother Frances Woolley and a visitor, Gracia Baker (3 b. Nottingham). They were still living at the same address in 1911. According to the information provided on the Census, Aaron and his wife had had three children who were all in the home on the night of the census: Elijah a tobacco hand sorter, Willie [William] (8) and Grace [Godber] (13). Grace Godber was Gracia Baker, the child who was registered visiting Aaron and Mary on the night of the 1901 Census. Gracia Bardill Baker was born in 1898 (reg. Nottingham, mother's maiden name not given). She was baptised at Hyson Green St Stephen the same year; the baptismal record gave her mother's name as Kathleen Baker of Mosley Buildings [Plantation Side, Bobbers Mill]. Elijah married Minnie Elizabeth Bryant in 1915. His wife was born in 1890, the daughter of James and Eliza Bryant. In 1911 Minnie, a leaf stripper (probably working at John Player & Sons), was living with her family at 131 Burford Road, Nottingham. There were no children of the marriage. The CWGC record gives Minnie's address as 175 Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, Nottingham, However, by 1927 she had moved to 30 Chadwick Road, Bobbers Mill, and was recorded at the same address in 1939; she was working as a tobacco sorter. Minnie was still living at the same address at the time of her death in 1962 aged 91. Elijah's parents were still living at Plantation Side when he was killed in 1918. His father Aaron died in 1938. It is likely that his widow Alice was living at Cyril Avenue, Nottingham, when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled; also in the household was Sarah A Watts (b. 1864) who was also widowed. Mary died in November 1941.

In 1911 he was a tobacco hand/sorter for John Player & Sons

He enlisted in Nottingham, residence Bobbers Mill Nottingham.

Elijah Henry Godber enlisted in Nottingham serving initially in the Sherwood Foresters (4965) then transferring to the 6th Bn Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment). The 6th (Service) Battalion was formed on 25 August 1914. The battalion served in Gallipoli from July to December 1915 and then France from July 1916. It took part in the Battle of Arras in 1918. On 15 May 1918 it was reduced to cadre strength and attached to 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division for ten days (19 to 29 June) before returning to England on 30 June. He was killed in action on 15 May 1918 and was buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery Extension, France (grave ref. III.C.7). CWGC - History of Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery Extension (extract): 'The Communal Cemetery at Noeux-les-Mines was used by the Commonwealth forces (in succession to the French) from June 1915 to August 1917 ... The Extension was begun in August 1917 and used until December 1918, chiefly by the 6th and 7th Casualty Clearing Stations.' (www.cwgc.org)

CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'He lived a pure life' 'In memoriam' notices, Nottingham Evening Post, 15th May 1919:- “GODBER. – In precious and loving memory of Bandsman Elijah H. Godber, killed in France May 15th, 1918. One year has passed, and still to memory dear, we breathe his loving name and shed the silent tear. – Sadly missed by his loving wife Minnie, Gladstone-street. “GODBER. – In loving remembrance of Bandsman Elijah H. Godber, killed in France May 15th, 1918. Days of sadness still come o'er us, tears of sorrow often flow, memory brings our loved one near us whom God claimed one year ago. – From sorrowing father, mother, Gracia and Willie, Plantation-side, Bobber's Mill-road.” Notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 15 May 1920: 'Godber. In loving memory of my dearly-loved husband. Elijah, killed in France May 15th, 1918. Cherished memories. Loving wife Minnie.’. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 15 May 1920: 'Godber. In loving memory of our dear son Elijah Godber, killed in France May 15th, 1918. Silent sorrow. Mother, father, & Willie (Plantation-side, Bobber’s Mill). (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: widow Minnie E Godber sole legatee WWW1 Pension Ledger Index Card: widow, ME Godber. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 4 November 1941: ‘Godber. November 3rd. City Hospital, Mary Alice, widow of the late Aaron Godber. At rest. Funeral Saturday 12 o’clock, Old Radford Church Cemetery.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)