Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Goodman, a stone labourer, born 1852 in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire and his wife Ann Matilda Goodman (nee Oliver, married in the 2nd quarter of 1877 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district.), born 1855 in Northampton. William James was born in the 3rd quarter of 1888 in Littlethorpe, he had one sibling, Charlotte Matilda, a schoolgirl, born 1883, in April 1891 the family home was in Parishes Houses, Littlethorpe. In March 1901 William was residing in the family home in Littlethorpe, together with his father, a concrete trade worker, his mother and siblings, Harriett Matilda, a cotton trade winder, born 20th October 1879 in Littlethorpe, Charlotte, a cotton trade winder, Edith Louisa, born 1891 and John, born 18th February 1895, the latter two siblings were both born in Littlethorpe. In April 1911 William was employed as a wheelwright’s painter and was residing in the family home in Littlethorpe, together with his father a concrete trade labourer, his mother and siblings, Edith, a tailoress and John, an elastic web weaver, also residing in the family home was William’s maternal Uncle, James Edward Oliver, a general labourer, born 1844 in Heyford, Northamptonshire. William also had an older sister, Louisa, born 1878 in Narborough, Leicestershire.
William enlisted into the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in Leicester on the 8th November 1911, he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 15th August 1914 with the 2nd Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers and eleven weeks and one day later he was killed in action on the 1st November 1914. He was awarded the 1914 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 31 Oct-14 – MISSINES. 11.00 am. Battalion arrived from MERVILLE at WULVERGHEM by Motor Bus to support 1st Cavalry Division. The situation was that trenches East of MISSINES had been evacuated on the previous day, the Cavalry were hanging on to a North and South line through the centre of the village. General De Lisle ordered KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS to attack on the South of MISSINES and KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY on the North of the village with a view to reoccupying the vacated trenches. On the understanding that the action would probably be confined to a bayonet charge from the East edge of the village to the trenches, great coats were deposited just East of WULVERGHEM and 1 extra bandolier issued. The attack started about 1.00 pm from the STEINBECK RIVER, KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS deploying “A” and “C” Companies in the firing line, “A” Company on the right. Enemy heavy guns and field guns were firing on to the town. Clear of the village to the South “A” Company worked up in advance of the line held in the village by the Cavalry until held up by rifle fire and the fire of 4 Machine Guns. In the village “C” Company pushed through the line held by the Cavalry to the East edge of the village, clearing the Germans out of the Convent and house round the church with the bayonet. House to house fighting ensued and the enemy on the South East corner of the town fell back to the trenches and the brickfields and by night fall it had not been possible to get beyond the East edge of the village, and the position South of it taken by “A” Company.
NOTES: Coats badly wanted by night. They will never be left again – some were lost, though they were mostly brought up during the night.
The War Diary records: 1 Nov-18 MISSINES. The North East quarter of the town was still held by the enemy up to the centre line held by the Cavalry. Shortly after dawn Officer Commanding 5th DRAGOON GUARDS, Commanding troops in the village, informed Officer Commanding KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS that the Infantry on his left had fallen back behind his left flank. 2 Platoons “D” Company KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS were despatched to assist him by guarding his left rear. 8.00 am. Officer Commanding 5th DRAGOON GUARDS gave preparatory orders to retire, Captain CONNELL with 1 Platoon of “D” Company and the Machine Gun section was despatched to take up a covering position – The order to retire was held up as it was understood the attack on the left had been checked. 8.20 am. The ROYAL ARTILLERY however appeared to be under the impression that the retirement had taken place and both German and British Guns were shelling the village – Our high explosive shells were doing great damage to buildings and unfortunately killed and wounded most of 1 Platoon of ours in 2 houses. The order to retire was then received from Officer Commanding troops at MISSINES and the KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS, with other troops, retired onto the line of trenches prepared just East of WULVERGHEM. The enemy did not advance in any force through the village, and the Battalion was relieved by the Cavalry about 10.30 pm. The Battalion lost, during the two days of fighting, Lieutenant G. H. COX killed, Lieutenant R. H. G. HOLME wounded (died of wounds) Lieutenant B. L. LAKE wounded – and 139 N.C.O. killed, wounded and missing. 11.00 pm. To billets in NEUVE EGLISE.
Lieutenant G. SPENCER, SOUTH WALES BORDERERS, joined during the action.