Goole and the First World War introduction.

This is the first post of a new group that has been set up to research the impact of the First World War upon Goole, and the men who served within the Services.

There are two main 'strands' to this project -

Stephen has been researching the 'Street Shrines' and 'Roll of Honour' lists that were placed on a number of Goole streets and within a number of Churches within the town to honour those who had enlisted within the Services..

On 19th May, 1917, seven 'Rolls' were unveiled, on Axholme Street, Cross Edinburgh Street, Burlington Crescent,, Stanley Street and Cross Stanley Street, Carlisle Street, Aire Street and (the eastern end of) Boothferry Road. These were the first to be presented and dedicated to the people of Goole, by the end of that month another 12 were dedicated in Old Goole (the Memorial on George Street, Old Goole, was the first to be completed but it was three months before the dedication took place); by 1st June a further 9 had been dedicated, these being on the west side of the town.

This is Pasture Road, with the plaque on the shop of Mr. Westoby, at the junction with Red Lion Street.

To date this is the only known picture of a 'Street Shrine' within Goole, and was taken during the early 1930s. (Courtesy of Pippa Stainton.)

In October 2005 Chris started reseaching the 452 men named on Goole Cenotaph from the First World War. Over time a further 300 men who also died and had some connection to Goole have also been included within this work. To date over 70 Service Records have been located; a large number of photographs of some of these men have been passed on to him from relatives; along with a number of letters, with those written by Private Alfred Johnson (d. 11 July, 1915) being transcribed and printed within 'The Norseman' - the journal of Boothferry Family and Local History Group.

Goole Cenotaoh, c1925, is a 1/8th size replica of Sir Edward Lutyens' National Cenotaph in Whitehall, London.

Both Chris and Stephen are keen to promote the work undertaken so far, and to hear from anybody who has an interest within this period of Goole's history and its people. If you feel that you can assist with this, please get in touch.