PRIVATE 2331 FRANK GODDARD
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE
1884 – 1917
Frank was born in Poplar London in around 1884 to John Goddard and Ada Goddard Nee Ostinelli his father John was born in Wenham Magna Suffolk now called Great Wenham in around 1851 and was working in London as a Brewers Labourer, the family were back in Capel St Mary by 1891 his mother Ada was born in Capel St Mary around 1853 and worked as a tailoress it was said that her sister Selina Ostinelli was dress maker to Queen Victoria. Frank was educated in Capel school and was one of six children born to John and Ada, by 1911 only Frank was still alive, his known siblings were Eva born Capel St Mary circa 1875 and became a drapers apprentice in Ipswich and John born cica 1880 also in Capel St Mary and died in London in 1881 and three others who died as infants, his mother Ada died in 1927. The family lived in Fuchsia Cottage (now demolished) opposite the old post office in the street, after leaving school Frank worked as a Farm Labourer.
Frank emigrated aboard the ship Orotava departing London on 10th march 1905 bound for Freemantle Australia, travel time in those days was around five to six weeks. Once in Australia he found work as a labourer before becoming a contractor in his own right, living and working in a place called Gnowangerap in Western Australia. Frank enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces on 31st may 1916 and became private 2331 Goddard of B213 11th training battalion, he was 5’7’’ tall and weighed 126lbs had blue eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion.
He embarked for Europe on 30-10-1916 and arrived in Portsmouth 28-12-1916 then marched with his comrades to Folkston, absenting himself on rout to visit his parents who lived near St Mary’s Church Capel St Mary for which he got into trouble, he eventually arrived in Folkston and sailed for France on 28-3-1917 arriving at Etaples France 29-3-1917 he was on strength of the 43rd Battalion and in the front line by 6-4-1917 was posted killed in action on 26-6-1917 in the battle for Messines Ridge a salient that had developed in the front line around Ypres.
Frank has no grave but is remembered on panel 7/17/23/25/27/29/31 of Ypres Menin Gate Belgium and on the Australian national war memorial Canberra.
Frank was posthumously awarded:
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•The 1914-1918 British War Medal
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•The 1914-1919 Victory Medal
His next of Kin would also have received the Memorial Plaque and Scroll
