First World War memorials

William Arthur Goodrick - Essex County Constabulary.
Served from 1st April 1912. Killed 12th December 1914.

Born in Little Thurrock, Essex, Police Constable William Arthur Goodrick was the husband of Alice Elizabeth Goodrick, of Castleton Cottage, Marshside, Chislet, near Canterbury.

He served with Essex County Constabulary from 1st April 1912 until the outbreak of war when he rejoined the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), into whose ranks he had enlisted at Gravesend, serving as Lance Sergeant L/7769.

The Essex County Chronicle of Friday 15th January 1915 reported:

“At Thorpe Petty Session on Monday Superintendent Day said the Bench would regret to hear that a former member of the Essex Constabulary -Pc Goodrick, who when the war broke out was stationed at St Osyth, and was called up to rejoin the Royal West Kent Regiment, had been killed on the 12th ult (i.e. 12 December 1914). He had proved himself a smart young constable during his two years’ service in the Force and was promoted to sergeant on rejoining the Colours. He went to the Front with several other reservists from St Osyth and was the first of that contingent to be killed.
The Chairman (Dr W.H. Slimon) said the Bench were very sorry to hear the announcement but they felt that Pc Goodrick’s death was a noble one.”

He has no known grave and is commemorated on panels 45 and 47 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial at Ieper in Belgium.

Police Constable 503. Serial Number 2718.

September 21, 2004 - Article updated with additional information compiled by Mr. Adrian Jones. Additional information taken mainly from the Essex County Chronicle and Essex Weekly News.

Essex County
Constabulary

Southend Borough
Constabulary

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Constabulary

First World War memorials

Essex County Constabulary

Southend Borough Constabulary

Colchester Borough Constabulary

Essex County
Constabulary

Southend Borough
Constabulary

Colchester Borough
Constabulary