Killed in action aged 33
No known grave
Godwin Blades was born in Ealing to James Blades Gooding, a government barrister, and his wife Susanna. He was christened at St Mary’s Church, Ealing on 7 February 1883. Godwin had one sister, Evelyn. The Gooding family had been long settled in Barbados.
In 1894 the Gooding family took over the West Sussex County Times and ran the company for 92 years, most successfully. James Gooding purchased the company for £25 and while away on business in Japan gave it to his wife, Susanna, to run, which she did until 1928 when she was succeeded by her daughter who continued the female management until 1942.
The family moved to Horsham and Godwin was educated at Horsham Grammar School. He came up to Christ Church as an Exhibitioner in 1902 and became a Commoner in 1905. He married in Bedford in 1909 and at the time of the 1911 census, he and his wife were living with his parents in Horsham. His occupation is shown as “journalist”.
Godwin enlisted at Birmingham in the Rifle Brigade [Prince Consort’s Own] and served in France and Belgium as a Lance Corporal with the 7th Battalion. He was killed in action near Hooge.
He is listed on Panel 46-48 and 50 at the Menin Gate.