Sam Gooder was the son of William and Ellen Gooder. Sam was born in Barnsley and married Bridget Maguire in 1897. At the time of his death, the family lived at 38 Peel Street, Batley. Sam was a Coal Miner and worked at the White Lee Sam joined the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry voluntarily in May 1915. He was sent to France for a Colliery. second time in January 1917. The circumstances of the previous service in France are unknown. However, his death was reported in the The Reporter on 13th July 1917. The article stated his wife Bridget had received a letter from a French Nurse describing he has been 'severely wounded' and 'a very plucky patient'. Sam did not survive an operation to treat his injuries and he died on 30th June 1917. Sam was a member of a large family. He had four brothers and two sisters. He then went on to have seven children of his own. His sister, Emma, is my Great Grandmother. His memory will be preserved and his grave in the Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belguim has been located and visited in 2007. Simon Pollard

Simon Pollard