When Bentley Stars Shine

Bank Holiday outing on the Marsh family dray, August 4th 1913.

Memories of an idyllic life in Bentley at the turn of the century. 

By Ernest Goodridge 1892 - 1916.

Ernest Goodridge 1913

The Same Stars Shine

A few years ago I was told about a wonderful book The Same Stars Shine (2000), a book based on the Great War diary and letters of Ernest Goodridge. Ernest had spent his early life in Bentley and the book features many precious family photos taken in the Bentley area. 

Having bought a copy of the book I managed to make contact with one of Ernest's relatives, and co-editor of the book, John A. Goodridge. He very generously allowed me to re-tell some of Ernest's memories and to share some of the rare photos, many taken by Ernest himself, with my readers.

The first part of The Same Stars Shine focuses on Ernest's family life growing up in Bentley, and his short working life in Doncaster. The second half of the book focuses on Ernest's war diary and letters home. This article will mainly focus on Ernest's family and his life in Bentley.

The Same Stars Shine book cover.

Contents

• The Goodridge Family
• Home In Bentley
• Railway View
• After Railway View
• Railway Children
• Family Friends
• The Marshes
• The Peace Family
• The Lambert Family
• Church
• Sunday School
• The Countryside
• Local Characters
• Walking For Pleasure
• Messing About In Boats
• The Willow Garth Boat
• Scouting
• Sports And Pastimes
• Grammar School And Beyond
• Burgess And Dawson's
• Mr Hood
• Ad So To War...
• A Family's Grief
• The Same Stars Shine
• A Note On Railway View
• Afterword

The Goodridge Family

The Goodridge family consisted of father, William (1851 - 1919), mother Maria (1854 - 1919), and siblings, Ruth (1887 - 1947), Jonathan Brooks (1889 - 1962), Annie (1890 - 1960), and Ernest (1892 - 1916).

William Goodridge
1851 - 1919

William Goodridge was born in Kirk Bramwith in 1851. His marriage to Maria was his second. William's first wife Ann Elizabeth Johnson, whom he had married in 1873, died shortly after giving birth to a son, John William in 1885, she was twenty eight. A railway platelayer, William was also a Wesleyan Class Leader, looking after the pastoral and spiritual needs of church members.

Maria Goodridge
1854 - 1919

William's second wife was Maria Brooks from Kendal in Westmorland. She had probably come to Doncaster to work in service and made Doncaster Oxford Place Chapel her place of worship, probably meeting William there. They were married at the Oxford Place Chapel in 1886.

Their first child Ruth was born on the 25th of September 1887. She left home to go into domestic service at an early age, working away in places such as Sheffield, Leeds and Ilkley. She married Harry Sharpe in 1918; he was a pit pony handler at Bentley Pit. She and Harry didn't have any children of their own and Ruth died in 1947.

Ruth Goodridge
1887 - 1947

The eldest son was Jonathan Brooks Goodridge (known as 'John' or 'Jack'). He was born on the 11th of March 1889. Jonathan spent six years studying at Doncaster Grammar School and a further three years at Headingley College, Leeds. He then entered the Methodist Ministry. Between 1914 and 1918 he was stationed at Tutbury, Burton-upon-Trent. Having enlisted he was subsequently exempted from military service. He married Ethel Mary Leathers of Bury St Edmunds in 1920. They had two sons, Ernest Noel in 1921, Jonathan Francis in 1924, and a daughter Ada Margaret in 1933. John travelled extensively as a minister and finally settled in Ely to live out his retirement. John died in 1962.

Jonathan Brooks Goodridge
1889 - 1962

Annie 'Tim' Goodridge was born in August 1890. She was close to her younger brother Ernest in both age and as a close confidante. She remained at home during the war years to care for her ailing mother. After her parents died in 1919 she started working at the National Children's Home and became a highly respected Sister there. She later became a Matron of a boys' and girls' school. In all she served for forty years in these homes. One of her wards was the actress Shirley Ann Field, who remembers her with great affection. Annie never married and in her later years she suffered from senile dementia and was cared for at the Tower Hospital, Ely, close to her brother John. She died in 1960.

Annie Goodridge 1890 - 1960,
with brother Ernest in 1913

The Goodridge's youngest child was Ernest. Born in April 1892 he was the 'little un' or 'nipper' of the family. A reluctant scholar, he attended Doncaster Grammar School for three years until the age of fourteen. He found work as a lawyer's clerk at the office of Edwin Ernest Burgess, Solicitor, in Doncaster. With the outbreak of WW1 Ernest took his time to come to a decision about enlisting, but by October 1915 his decision had been made and by the end of the following month he had joined the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Following a period of military training in the south of England, Ernest joined the fighting in France. He was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on the 4th of October 1916 at the age of 24.

The Goodridge family, 1907.

Home In Bentley

William and Maria's first home was a cottage on Cooke Street, Bentley, just opposite the Wesleyan Chapel, next to the Mill Stream. All four of their children were born in the cottage which backed on to Bentley High Street.

The Goodridge family at the cottage on Cooke Street, 1895.

Bentley High Street around 1905.

The photo above shows the row of cottages (centre) where the Goodridges lived. Taken from Bentley High Street, near the Mill Bridge, the family lived in the end cottage on the left, which is just out of view behind the next row of houses.

Little is written about Ernest's early life, as he got older he kept diaries about his daily life and events in and around Bentley, and it is from these diaries that we get an insight into what life was like in turn of the century Bentley.

An early school photo shows Ernest and brother John at the Bentley Board school on Cooke Street when the boys were aged about eight and eleven.

Bentley Board School c.1900. Ernest (front row left), John (second row, fifth from left).

The teacher standing on the right in the photo above is Mr Cowling who helped John obtain a County Council Scholarship to Doncaster Grammar School.

Cooke Street Infant's School, 1890's.

Railway View

Sometime between 1895 and 1901 the Goodridge's moved to Railway View, or Bentley Gatehouse. The house stood beside the level crossing at the Church Street, Pipering Lane junction (now occupied by Kingdom Hall). 

Location of Railway View on a map of 1930.

William's job as a railway platelayer would have included inspecting and maintaining sections of the line as well as carrying out special or emergency duties. 

One of these special duties was 'fogging'. As the name suggests it was a task carried out when fog became a problem. The job involved placing small explosive charges (like 'caps' in a toy gun) on the line to warn the train drivers of hazards ahead.

In 1911 Ernest records in his diary for the 30th of March how he and his father had searched the line up to Castle Hills for someone who had possibly fallen on the line. They found nothing.

On another occasion, over a weekend in August 1911 there was a railway strike. The signal box was shut up and gates closed and the signals were down. Fewer trains than usual were running and the night trains ran without lights. On the Sunday morning William witnessed a Thrashing Engine break through the crossing gates. Apparently it didn't cause too much damage but following that incident a watchman had to be on guard day and night.

Train approaching Bentley Gates from the south
C.1905.

Railway View, or 'Rose Cottage' as Maria preferred to call it, was not a large dwelling and when friends or cousins stayed over little sleep was had.

A clear photo of the house itself doesn't exist, although Ernest's attempts to sketch the place give a good likeness to the few faded images that do exist.

Railway View, an unfinished sketch by Ernest Goodridge.

Railway View and signal box c.1900.

Railway View, Christmas morning 1914.

Maria and Annie at the Gatehouse front door.

This 1952 aerial view of the cottage gives another insight into how it looked.

Close up version of the above photo

The gatehouse must have had a sizeable garden as Ernest and John were often required to work in it, even before breakfast. They were growing their own vegetables as one entry in the diary for October 1910 describes Ernest 'digging potatoes all afternoon'. Other outdoor tasks undertaken by Ernest included 'Carting manure for father instead of going for a walk', and 'helping to kill the pig', a duty he didn't much care for.

The Goodridges utilized every bit of land they could, even using the strip of land alongside the railway line for cultivation.

Ernest working in the gatehouse garden.

William and Maria in the garden of 'Rose Cottage', 1911.

After Railway View

When Ernest turned 21 in April 1913, the family left Railway View. With William now in his sixties he was presumably retired from his work on the railways and the gatehouse would have been needed for the next controller of the crossing.

The family moved to number 30 Bentley Road, where William and Maria would see out their final years. Little is written about their time there, except when it was mentioned in letters that they had considered letting the two front rooms out to a Sergeant's wife when times became tough, but the fact that the lady had a cat and a dog put Maria off that idea.

Following the death of her parents in 1919, Ruth and her husband Harry Sharpe moved into 30 Bentley Road.

Harry Sharpe (Ruth's husband) at 30 Bentley Road
c.1935.

Railway Children

For the Goodridge children the railway was their playground and they liked nothing better than to visit Mr Lambley in the signal box across the line. It was usually the last port of call in the evening for John and Ernest. They loved spending time in the cosy retreat of the signal box, even if Mr Lambley didn't always appreciate their frequent visits. On one occasion John pulled a lever too soon and created an 'incident'. On another Mr Lambley wanted them to go home, but they 'would not'.

Bentley signal box.

The Lambleys, Joseph and Louisa, lived on Bentley Road with their four children, all contemporaries of the Goodridge children. Their son John was a particular friend of Ernest's and he appears in many of the group photos of outdoor activities and outings.

Sunday School picnic at Burghwallis Stackyard, John Lambley is far right with Ernest to his left.

The Lambleys weren't the only railway friends of the Goodridges, the Beverleys of Marsh Lane Gatehouse, Arksey, were an elderly couple who were like grandparents to the Goodridge children. 

Marsh Lane Gatehouse was up the line from Arksey Station, on the Doncaster to York line.

Mr and Mrs Beverley at Arksey Gatehouse (centre).

John Henry Beverley (1848 - 1909) and his wife Mary Hannah (1844 - 1917) kept the Marsh Lane Gatehouse through the first decade of the 20th century. John was a distinguished Afghan War Veteran who had served with the 92nd Gordon Highlanders. He served for eleven years in India, was a one-time bodyguard to Queen Victoria and fought in the first Boer War. After returning home he took employment with the Midland and Great Northern Railway. He married Mary Hannah Umpleby in 1882 in Manningham St Paul.

John Henry Beverley.

Following John's death in 1909, Mary Beverley moved into the Arksey Almshouses and many Class Meetings of the small Arksey Wesleyan Society were held there.

The Goodridge boys delighted in the company of the Beverley's, holding Mr Beverley in high esteem. After his death, their devotion to Mrs Beverley was akin to that of a grandmother. After the boys left home, Mrs Beverley was considered a priority visit when on home leave.

Family Friends

The Goodridge family had quite a wide circle of friends, probably down to their connections with the Wesleyan community, but also through the Goodridge children's school life too.

Many of the friends feature in memories of activities and outings that Ernest recorded, so it is worth taking a moment to introduce a few of them.

The Marshes

Anyone who has read my article William Marsh, Son of a Miller, Friend of a President, will already be familiar with the Marsh family. The Marshes, headed by John Marsh (1794 - 1880), worked the Finkle Street corn mill for decades. The famous son of John Marsh was William (1826 - 1912). His incredible life story is told in the aforementioned article, which includes his life in America, becoming a close friend to Abraham Lincoln and actually aiding his rise to the Whitehouse. William did return to Bentley to live out his later years, but Ernest doesn't mention him in his diaries.

Marsh's Mill on Finkle Street

The branch of the Marsh family the Goodridges knew best was the family of Thomas Cockin Marsh (1847 - 1936). Tom was the youngest son of the elder John Marsh and half-brother to William. When his father died, Tom took over the running of the Finkle Street mill. His children from his second marriage to Mary Barbara Baker, John Bertram 'Bert' and Constance Baker 'Connie', were good friends of the Goodridge children.

The photo below is of Bert Marsh's wedding to Alice Nicholson in December 1913 and shows quite a few of the people mentioned above.

Left to right, Tom C Marsh, Ernest, Miss Cliff, John Goodridge, Mrs Beverley, Bert, Alice, Emily Trippett (housekeeper to TC Marsh), Charlotte Marsh (William Marsh's widow, aunt of Bert), Miss Beilby. Seated, Flo Peace, Connie Marsh and 'Master Marsh'.

Miss Cliff was one of the grand daughters of another of Tom's brothers, John (1822 - 1899). Miss Beilby was a friend of the Marshes and Flo Peace was a good friend of both families (see below).

For more on the Marsh family go to William Marsh, Son of a Miller, Friend of a President.

The Peace Family

Joseph Peace, his wife Elizabeth and their four children, Florence 'Flo', Arnold Ross, Leonard and Samuel Eric moved to Bentley from Heanor in Derbyshire around 1909. They lived at 89 West End Avenue and Joseph worked at Bentley Pit.

A year younger than Ernest, Flo Peace was one of his greatest friends and one time love interest.  

Flo Peace (left), and Hilda Gallop.

Of her brothers - Leonard was killed in 1915, Arnold, was killed in October 1918, while Samuel married Gertrude Ashworth and lived on Finkle Street. In the 1920's Samuel (sometimes listed as 'Eric') went into partnership with the Marshes at the corn mill, which was renamed 'Marsh and Peace'.   

The Lambert Family

Richard Lambert, his wife Ellen and their three children, Gertrude (Gertie), Bernard and Edgar lived at 41 Watch House Lane. Richard was a foreman wagon builder at Bentley pit, Ellen was a retired teacher, and Gertie an assistant school mistress. Bernard, who was a close friend of Ernest's and the same age, was a junior draughtsman at the colliery, while Edgar was a joiner's apprentice (information from the 1911 census).

Ernest and Bernard Lambert, c.1914.

Bernard, a fellow pupil of Ernest's at Doncaster Grammar School, joined the fighting in France before Ernest and they appear to have met up at a Wesleyan Parade in July 1916, on the Ploegsteert Front. Bernard survived the War and died in 1962. His brother Edgar was not so lucky and died of his wounds in December 1917. 

Church

Wesleyan Chapel, Bentley High Street.

Church played an enormous part in the life of the Goodridges. As mentioned earlier, William took Classes for the Wesleyan Chapel, but the boys were also heavily involved with church activities. John had various roles within the church such as Secretary and Vice-President. Ernest meanwhile was occupied with the social and literary sections of the church, and taking on the role of Sunday School Secretary. Even Annie had involvement on a committee level.

Bentley Wesley Guild Syllabus, 1908 - 09.

While the Bentley chapel was their primary place of worship, excursions to other Wesleyan places of worship provided a little variety. Priory Place Church and the chapel at Oxford Place in Doncaster were visited on occasion, but they also liked to visit smaller chapels, such as the tiny chapel at Arksey, which was of particular interest to John and Ernest, who helped the formation of a Sunday School there. The chapel was located in one end of the Old Smithy near All Saints Church until a purpose built chapel was erected on Station Road.

The Old Smithy/Chapel, Arksey in 1992.

Church routine took up most of the week and sometimes it would seem that they spent as much time at church as at home.

Sundays would consist of morning and evening services with Classes, and afternoon Sunday School. The rest of the week was taken up with 'Guild Night' - Mondays, except in the summer months, 'Class Night' - most Tuesdays, held in church or in homes under a lay pastoral leader (such as William). Mid-week saw various types of meetings and rehearsals (in season). John and Ernest were loyal attendees, Ernest especially to his father's Class. An added attraction for the Goodridge boys was the abundance of young ladies at these gatherings.

  

Church Activities c.1906.

Ernest was apt to make judgements in his diaries on the performances of the various preachers whose services he attended. Comments such as, 'not bad', 'better than expected', and 'very dry', were often noted. Even his own brother did not escape comment when he became a Probationer Minister. Recording his thoughts on a sermon John preached in October 1909, Ernest writes: 

'John preached in morn but too strong on money Grubbers'. 

Rev. Richard Idwal Hopwood MA,

Bentley Wesleyan Minister

1909 - 1912

On another occasion John was preaching a trial sermon at Barnby Dun Chapel in March 1910. It was carried out in the presence of an ordained minister, in this case Rev. Hopwood of Bentley Chapel. Ernest's comment about this was brief: 

'John preached Trial Sermon at Barnby Dun, Mr Hopwood made mincemeat of him'.

Bentley Wesleyan Chapel, April 1911.

Sunday School

In December 1909 Ernest was appointed Assistant to one of the Executive Committee members, Tom Brownlow. As Secretary it was a position of responsibility that extended to every part of the church as well as the Sunday school. Even with help, the work-load was heavy, and after two years in the position Ernest confessed that the secretaryship was 'killing work'. 

Bentley Wesleyan Sunday School Primary Department staff, 1914.

There were around 230 children with about 30 staff, and accommodating them was an ever present problem. In 1911 eight classes were meeting in the schoolroom alone, each class having ten to fourteen scholars. Accommodation was rented from the Infant's school for some years, and plans to extend the Sunday school building were shelved more than once. The extension wasn't actually built until 1933. Ernest's brother John came to lay a foundation stone in memory of those who had fallen in the Great War.

John Goodridge laying a memorial foundation stone
at the new extension to the Wesleyan School, 1933.

Aside from the hard work of Secretary, Ernest recalled many enjoyable picnics and outings he organized, or helped organize for the Sunday school.

Walking party on Dock Hills Bridge, Ernest (left on bank), April 1914.

One of the favoured picnic places to go was the Dock Hills area east of Bentley, where a bridge (pictured above) marked the end of the Mill Stream and joined Bentley Ings Drain along Bentley Bank. The bridge is now no more than a few stones on the ground. 

Remains of Dock Hill Bridge 1995.

Ernest seemed to enjoy the company of the younger children on these outings to Dock Hills as he remembers in his account of a picnic in early September 1910:

'Picnic to ruins, Dock Hills Lane. Had an extra time. I the only male. Moscow [the dog] with us - about 20 children there besides Annie [his sister], F[lo] [Peace] and A. Memb...[?]. No slackness of fun. All gaity. Little Hilda my care and sweetheart during the afternoon. Made tea in approved picnic style. Fine sight all children round cloth set on the emerald green. Had to give them all a ride on my back. Oh the happy day - coming home in the twilight - the day giving place to night amongst the innocent bairns.' 

Map of 1907 showing Common Lane (centre) to Dock Hills and the bridge in photo above.

Enjoyable as these excursions were, they didn't always go smoothly as in Ernest's description of a children's picnic on the 7th of September 1911:

'Children's picnic down Common Lane. Fine hot afternoon. Over 30 turned up. Mr. Ryder lent us Donkey and tub. Took Moscow [the dog] with us. Quite a large happy family. Lily my little flame there pretty lassy. Ben Flint and Leonard there. Florrie, Annie... Miss Hollings there. Harry Ryder gave them rides in trap. Many of children paddled in spite of our ORDERS.

Too many to keep them in order. Our difficulty was water. Nippers crying out for it all the time. Only able to allow them 1/2 inch of a mug. Annie and Ethel went to Arksey to get more. Boiling two kettles and two Billy Cans rather large order. Had a good time however on the whole. Stayed until nearly dark then lost donkey for time. HAPPY recollections will remain.' 

August Bank Holiday outing to Burghwallis, 1913. Ernest seated 2nd from left at front.

For longer excursions Burghwallis was a favourite destination, where picnic tables would be set up in a farm stackyard. Bert Marsh or his father would provide horses and drays to transport around thirty people to the village. Of one such picnic in 1913 Ernest writes:

'We held a novel Wesley Guild outing on August Bank Holiday to Burghwallis. Mr J.B. Marsh kindly lent us two horses and drays for the occasion. On each dray we were able to fix three forms, accommodating a party of fifteen or sixteen on each dray. Taking our food, we travelled in this old fashioned way along the Askern-Road, turning to our left by Owston Park and returning at night through Skellow, Carcroft, Adwick and home.

In our journey many people seemed to be attracted and highly amused at seeing young people who should have a lively sense of propriety riding like children upon drays.

Nevertheless, we were out for a day of pure enjoyment, and we got it in spite of our departure from conventionalities.

Burghwallis lent itself admirably to our ideals, and we would recommend it to any other Guilds as being a very suitable and pretty place.

Our thanks are due to Mr. Scurrah, who so kindly lent us a field and boiled our water, besides other numerous offices which went to make the day a complete success.' 

Burghwallis picnic, Ernest cutting a large loaf of bread under his arm, T.C. Marsh peering around him.

Sometimes the trips further afield required taking more formal transport than a horse and dray, for instance, a picnic to Brocadale woods (written by Ernest as Broc-o-dale, now Brocadale Nature Reserve), near Little Smeaton in 1914, which required taking the train from Arksey Station to Norton.

Trips to Sprotborough were taken by barge along the River Don, for which Ernest was responsible for arrangements including accident insurance cover. The barge would board and later, disembark at the old iron St Mary's bridge near the Three Horse Shoes public house.

Returning Sunday School picnic party by barge from Sprotborough, to disembark at St Mary's Bridge, July 1913.

The Countryside

The Bentley that Ernest knew was much more rural than it is today, with long, tree lined lanes connecting the surrounding villages. Special places like Castle Hills, Radcliffe Moat, Jossey Lane pond, Daw Wood and the Willow Garth were particularly favoured for adventures. 

Children at Castle Hills c.1900.

The corn harvest was a fascinating diversion for Ernest, from the cutting of the corn, to building 'stooks' from the sheaves, and to their eventual removal to the farm stackyards where they would be stored until the following January. The threshing drum would tour the farms early in the year, hauled behind a heavy traction engine to complete the operation of separating the corn from the straw. Stack yards were however, a potential fire hazard. Ernest recalls one such fire in Arksey:

'Fire at Elwesses Stacks. awfully grand.'

William Elwess was farmer at Brook House Farm, near to Arksey church in the early 1900's.

Traction engine at Elwesses farm, Arksey, 1907.

Walking was a chief pastime in the early years of the 20th century, and despite the arrival of the tram systems in 1902 everyone still regarded walking as the usual way of getting anywhere, whether for business or pleasure. 

Tram on High Street, Bentley

The countryside provided pleasant walks and places for adventure, and the Goodridge children didn't have to go far to reach these places.

Nearby, Pipering Lane and Watch House Lane were both undeveloped and stretched across fields before reaching the Great North Road.

Sketch by Ernest Goodridge of Pipering Lane, looking west from the Gatehouse, 1907.
Handwritten notes were added by his brother John.

The woods on Pipering Lane provided sport for the boys. Annie recalled in a letter of 1917 how Ernest would stand her next to a tree so he could use her shoulders as a step-ladder. John would later recall how he and Ernest went to see woodcutters felling trees in the 'old familiar wood'. That was 1908 and Pipering Lane would soon become part of the extended village.

Ernest up an Elm tree in Pipering Lane, 1902.

Felled trees in Pipering Lane.

Pipering Lane wasn't the only part of Bentley undergoing change in 1908 - 10. The north end of Bentley was gradually being invaded by the new colliery. Much loved places that Ernest and his friends frequented, such as Daw Wood, were gradually being overshadowed by heavy industry. Ever curious, Ernest paid at least one visit to the pit, of his visit he writes:

'Round Pit - what rushing hurrying busy place - Thankful we live at the quiet end.'

Bentley Pit 1911.

Local Characters

Bentley had its fair share of 'characters' over the years, and one of those whose tales captivated Ernest was one Jimmy Clarke, whose stories were part of Bentley village lore.

Ernest recalls two of Jimmy's tales in his 1912 diary. One was about a donkey race held on Watch House Lane in 1863. There were fourteen entrants who were required to negotiate obstacles such as hurdles and a water splash. The prize was five shillings and Jimmy won. In the second story Jimmy recounted his prowess in rounding up and penning stray cattle. He claimed that in his time he had rescued and penned more than three thousand animals. It was rumoured in the village that Jimmy (who was probably paid for each animal he caught), was adept at letting the animals out in the first place!

The pinfold where Jimmy Clarke probably penned all the animals he rounded up. 
Adjacent to Marsh's Mill on Finkle Street.

Walking For Pleasure

Walking for pleasure seemed to be a pastime enjoyed at any time of the day, but during the working week this was often carried out in the early morning or evening, with moonlight walks especially alluring. 

Routes taken were either long or short; short routes included Bentley Road, on to York Road, sometimes extended to the Roman Rigg, and then back via Watch House Lane.

A favoured longer walk was along the mill stream to Arksey and back. This walk could also be extended. In December 1909 Ernest writes: 

'Went walk with John. Followed Mill Dyke to river Don and Sandall. Came home by Arksey. Looked in at Mrs Beverley.' 

Arksey c.1900.

In April 1911 Ernest recalls a moonlight walk: 

'Went for a moonlight walk at night with Bernard [Lambert] down mill stream. Beautiful night. Awfully weird. Night owls screeching. ducks quacking. Very skeery [scary] and funny.'

Bridge over the mill stream 1910.
Photo courtesy of Colin Hardisty

Excursions further afield included walks to Cusworth Park. An entry in Ernest's diary for July 1910 reads: 

'John and I went long walk - Doncaster, Newton, Sprotborough Park and home. Got lost in Cusworth Park. Beautiful part. Saw deer and wild ducks'. 

Deer in Cusworth Park, 1916.

On another occasion in September 1911 Ernest writes:

'After Sacrament, the undaunted three, i.e. Ben [Flint], Leonard [brother of Ben] and I had walk to Cusworth Hall and back. Moon out again, a grand companion.'

A month later Ernest writes:

'Went walk with Wilf Hollings to Cusworth. Got in the thick of some duck shooting at young Battie Wrightsons. The firing was going sharp. Quite a brisk pace. All passing for sport.'

Cusworth Park 1910.

While Ernest and his friends enjoyed walking very much, there was only so far you could comfortably go in a day, however cycling opened up many more destination possibilities for the friends.

With a bicycle it was suddenly possible to reach such places as Barnby Dun, Kirk Sandall, Thorpe in Balne, Kirk Bramwith, Braithwaite and Trumfleet. Even places such as Whitley Bridge, Hensall, Epworth and Sandbeck were within reach. Of these rides out Ernest recalls in September 1911:

'Ben, Leonard and self went for ride at night. Exquisite night. Its grandeur was magnificent. Moon at the full. Air cool and fresh and fragrant, spicy and sharp. Ideal for such a ride. Askern, Sutton, Burghwallis, Red House, Brodsworth and home. All enjoyed it to the full.'

Burghwallis c.1908.

Messing About In Boats

With plenty of streams, dykes, ponds and not to mention the river Don all within easy reach, it's not surprising that the Goodridges and their friends used these water filled places for their own adventures.

Jossey Lane pond c.1900.

Jossey Lane pond lies in a triangle of land between the Doncaster - Wakefield railway line, a disused railway line and Jossey Lane. The pond provided Ernest with a winter sketching opportunity in January 1907 as he records in his diary:

'Went to Jossey Pond and took a sketch. Very cold'.

Getting on the water was certainly more adventurous as Ernest recalls the time his friend Bert Marsh bought a canoe. The Mill stream near the Marsh property was ideally placed for some memorable escapades.

Bert Marsh in his canoe on the Mill stream, just going under Cooke Street Bridge.

Bert acquired his canoe in February 1910, a few days later Ernest recorded this in his diary:

'Chopped sticks for Mrs Spurr. Went to Bert's at night to try canoe... Paddled gently downstream... about 40 yards down capsized. Wet through. Canoe floated down stream - buffet - cushions etc. Went to bed in Bert's hut - got me some clothes. Togged up in knee breeches - fished canoe out. Paddled it back - risky job...'.

Obviously not put off by capsizing in the chill of February, two days later Ernest records this next excursion:

'Took canoe other side of Mill. Fixed sail up. We went like lightening through bridges at a tremendous rate on for about a mile - and then alas - Smash we were over in the water. Struggled to land - wet as rats - canoe nearly full of water. [At the Marsh home] Flo [Peace] there - Bert lent me togs. Stayed tea - Had a glorious time. Best night ever spent for some time. Flo drying trousers, shirt etc. - awful - mother cross'.

Risking the wrath of his mother once again, Ernest recalls another trip two days later:

'Met Bernard [Lambert] at night and sallied forth. Water had been turned off at Mill. Got stranded in the middle. Ben and Bert laughing at us. Took canoe other side of Mill and off we went - Bernard paddling and I steering. Went along fine one and a half miles. Bert walked along side of stream. Hard to get back. Had rough time past bushes etc. and against wind and current. Got it back at last nearly dead. Pulled him ashore with difficulty. Clothes a mass of mud. Home at 10.30. Annie / Ma met me'. 

Just what his mother made of all the muddy clothes Ernest doesn't say, but it seems he wouldn't be put off boats easily. Ernest and John recall many trips out on the river, rowing to Strawberry Island, close to town or further away to Sprotborough, Thorpe-in-Balne and even Conisbrough.

The Willow Garth Boat

The boat on the Willow Garth, 1907.

In 1907 when Ernest was fifteen and John eighteen, the boys spent a pleasurable six months occupied with a boat at the Willow Garth in Arksey (a stretch of water near to the Beverley's Gatehouse, now a fishing pond).

In May of 1907 the Goodridge boys visited Squire Chadwick at Arksey Hall to ask for permission to raise a sunken boat from the water of the Willow Garth. Two weeks later they got the boat out of the water 'with a lot of bother'.

Annie, Cousin Edith and Ernest on the Willow Garth boat, 

September 1907.

Over successive visits they cleaned and painted the boat, and the Beverleys allowed them to heat some tar on their kitchen fire so they could tar the bottom of it.

The rest of the summer was spent among the willows and reeds of the pond, enjoying what John would later refer to as 'golden time'.

Bert Marsh, Ernest and a friend on the Willow Garth boat, 1907. (Poor photo)

Unfortunately the boat didn't survive, it is said that some village boys holed the boat and it was sunk once more. After that the Goodridges never visited Willow Garth again.

Scouting

Ernest's love of outdoor pursuits led him to take up scouting with the Bentley Scout Troop, which met almost every Saturday night. Camping was a favourite part of scouting activities and nights under canvas were often favoured over a night in his own bed. This was especially true when, in May 1910 Ernest bought his own tent. It was erected in the orchard next to the Bentley Gatehouse and Ernest meant to sleep out all summer long, expecting his brother John, or other willing friends to join him. 

John in the tent, June 1910.

The first night in the tent proved eventful as it had been raining all day. John refused to sleep in the tent so Ernest persevered on his own. It poured down all night and by 5am the water was leaking in above the bed. Undeterred, the tent stayed up and became the focus of some fun times.

In late June 1910 Ernest recalls a photo call at the tent with friends:

'Aft. had Gladys, Connie [Marsh] and Dorothy at tent - taking photos - Posing in different attitudes... they acted a treat. No laughing - Had a grand time developing photos.'

Gladys, Connie and Dorothy 
in the tent entrance
June 1910.

Permanent scout camps could be found in Sprotborough and Bentley. Mr Ryder's field was home to one such camp; Harry Ryder generously lent both his field, which was probably located down Common Lane, and his pony and trap, used for rides by the Sunday School children.

Bentley scout camp in Ryder's field.

In 1909 Ernest was appointed as Patrol Leader and, along with his father, established a new camp in a field belonging to Mr Forrington in Jossey Lane. John Hughes Forrington (1850 - 1909) was a Bentley farmer and one-time chairman of the Parish Council, and Treasurer of Bentley Wesleyan Chapel Trust. Mr Forrington died shortly after offering the site for the scout camp, and Ernest commented that his death was a great loss to the village.

An Infirmary Demonstration held in Forrington's field, 1910.

Sports And Pastimes

Ernest had a wide range of interests; he took part in sports such as football, hockey, wrestling and boxing, and also gentler pursuits like sketching, clay modelling and other miscellaneous crafts.

In 1909 he bought himself a pair of boxing gloves and although his spars were mostly friendly, he did find himself taking part in more serious fights. Some of the fights involved men from the nearby collieries, one such entry in his diary of August 1909 recalls:

'Awful row between colliers. Frickley chap nearly killed.'

However, things took an even more serious turn less than a month later, when Ernest records:

'Man killed in Common Lane while fighting.'

While the boxing could turn ugly, wrestling was always enjoyed and was an accepted sport at scout camp. Recording a win in 1909, Ernest writes:

'Won at wrestling. Boss lent gown.' 

Ernest enjoyed a range of arts, from calligraphy and illumination to sketching places he loved. Some of his artistic creations have survived, such as these sketches of Arksey Church and St Peter's Church.

East end of Arksey Church, sketch by Ernest Goodridge 1907.

St Peter's Church, sketch by Ernest Goodridge, 1909.

Grammar School And Beyond

 

Following an early education at the Cooke Street School in Bentley Ernest entered the Doncaster Grammar School, but unlike his brother John, who attended the school for six years and stayed on until he was over eighteen, Ernest left after three years in 1906, at the age of fourteen.

Doncaster Grammar School, Thorne Road.

Like John, Ernest had obtained a Minor Scholarship allowing him a Grammar School education. Ernest gained at least one prize during his time at the school. He was a reluctant scholar but the school remained one of his 'go to' places when in town.

Doncaster Grammar School chemistry lab, c.1902.

Burgess And Dawson's

In January 1907 John Goodridge wrote in his diary:

'Went to town with Ernest to see Solicitor Burgess about situation for Ernest'. 

Ten days later he reports:

'Ernest starts business at Mr Burgess' Solicitor'.

Ernest's entry in his diary for the same day reads:

'Started business, v. easy start.' 

The Solicitor, Edwin Ernest Burgess had an office in St George Gate, Doncaster. He would probably have met Ernest through the Wesleyan Church as he was a member of the Priory Place Church and would have known Ernest's cousins who attended the Oxford Place Church.

St George Gate, Doncaster.

Although office work was not demanding, Ernest was required to learn shorthand. At first he attended classes with a Mr Pickering, but by 1909 he was required to sign on at the Technical School. Unenthusiastic at this arrangement, Ernest wrote:

'In morning went to see Mr. Eagles at Tech. School and signed my death warrant for 3 nights a week'.

Ernest made slow progress and according to his diary 'did very badly in Shorthand Exam'.

Despite the problems with shorthand, Ernest progressed to study for an Articleship after five years at the firm. An exam for his Oxford Junior seems to have been postponed from March 1911 to February 1912; at this Ernest seemed to be relieved to have an 'easier summer'. 

Ernest at the door of Burgess and Dawson's office
1906.

Ernest's work with Burgess and Dawson was varied; at times he would find himself taken away from the office to serve summons notices and examine deeds in places such as Brodsworth, Beverley, Wisbech and Luddington (near Crowle). These trips out were often enjoyed but in the case of the Luddington trip, not so:

'Went to Luddington via Crowle to serve - with writ. Couldn't catch him... Dodging about Luddington all day - it was misery. Went to Garthorpe Shore. Tide was down - wild place - Trent very wide. Wandering around like a lost sheep. Miserable day.'

Mr Hood

One person who seemed to feature intimately in Ernest's life from about 1909 was Albert G. Hood. Mr Hood was from Newcastle and founder of The Shipbuilder and Marine Engine Builder magazine. He gave two lectures in November 1909, one in Bentley and one at the tiny Arksey Chapel:

'Hurried home - went to Arksey. Gentleman gave description of Mauritania'.

Shipbuilder magazine.

Over the course of the next three years, Mr Hood, a lonely man who had lost a leg in his youth, befriended Ernest to the point that he pressed William to allow him to adopt Ernest as his own son. William declined. 

Drafts of correspondence sent to Mr Hood fill one of Ernest's diaries and demonstrate the closeness of their relationship.

Further to this close personal relationship, Mr Hood was instrumental in making possible Ernest's Articleship by becoming his benefactor and easing his financial difficulties. In that respect Hood kept a close eye on Ernest's professional progress. 

Following Ernest's death Albert Hood kept a friendship with John Goodridge and his family, and it was only revealed seventy or so years after Ernest's death that Hood, who lived in Stocksfield, Northumberland, dressed his village cenotaph in poppies every Remembrance time, in memory of his great friend. Albert Hood died in 1942.

Stocksfield cenotaph.

And So To War... 

 

A cloth-bound scrapbook which Ernest kept showed his interest in war. Newspaper cuttings of war stories, articles and photographs provide a jumbled view of what was happening as war broke out.

On the 4th of August 1914 Ernest simply recorded in his diary:

'WAR DECLARED.'

Very soon, men that Ernest was close to started joining up, among them his good friend Bernard Lambert. 

While life continued as normal for Ernest, reminders of war were not far away. The arrival of soldiers in Bentley brought excitement and Ernest cheerfully recorded the event in a letter to his brother that November, describing their billet at the Cooke Street school:

'...Fancy the old pillars toddling up to the Schools at night and finding the 'sacred ground' being rioted by the singing of ragtimes, dancing clog-steps, and the smoking of Woodbines - the appearance being far more like a tap-room than a school room, but the soldiers appreciate it and there are some very fine fellows among them...'

Despite Ernest's interest in the War and soldiering he took his time in deciding to join up. Throughout 1915 his sense of duty was never far away. In writing to John about a proposed holiday on the Norfolk Broads he states:

'If we do not take the opportunity now, it may NEVER offer itself again - in these stirring times one never knows what a year may bring to us in the way of breaking up of social circles etc.'

The question of enlistment was pressing upon Ernest although he was still having doubts. In a letter of July 1915 to one of the soldiers he had got to know when billeted at Bentley, he writes:

'I do not see my way clear to join as yet and must follow the dictates of my conscience in all things...'

'Shall I Enlist?' Counsel for young
Christians c.1914.

A verse penned in Ernest's diary shows the awareness he has that the decision he has to make cannot be reversed:

Consider well your action  

What's done you can't recall

When once you've pulled the trigger

You cannot stop the ball. 

The turning point seems to have come when a senior Sunday School colleague, Sergeant John Ogley died in a French hospital in September 1915. Writing to his brother at the end of October he raises the subject of his decision to enlist once again:

'It is up to such as me to see that English freedom is never stained by the blotch of conscription.'

Conscription seemed to the very worst thing that could happen to Ernest, for him the very idea of being forced into fighting for his country was something his pride would not allow. He wanted to be in control of his decision and to join the cause because of a deep sense of duty, rather than have the decision taken out of his hands. He mentions his feelings on it once again when writing of his final decision to Albert Hood in early November 1915:

'...I have given the matter very careful consideration before finally deciding to take the step. Now the greater call has come. I am sure you will agree with me when I say that it is up to every young man to see to it that the Question of Conscription shall never be pressed nearer home than it has been already. Without wishing to slight our allies, we are men of freedom and liberty for which our fathers have shed their life's blood and we English can never brook anything in the form of compulsion.' 

On the 12th of November Ernest writes to his brother John to give him the news he has enlisted, along with his friend Will Long in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps.

Doncaster area volunteers taken at Gidea Park, Essex or Andover. Ernest, front row left, Will Long left back, standing, John Lambley, front row, third from left.

Ernest began his military training on the 27th of November at Gidea Park in Essex, and after less than three weeks there he was posted to the 23rd (Reserve) Battalion KRRC stationed at Andover, Hants. He was part of a scheme that incorporated recruits into an army reserve and could be called up to the ranks at any time.

The next few months saw Ernest's Battalion move to various camps around the south of England, Banbury, Dosthill near Tamworth, and Wimbledon before the departure for France in late May 1916.

Ernest, front row, left. John Lambley, standing, second left. Will Long, standing, third left.
John Lambley was the only one to survive of this 'Group of Seven'.

Ernest's last leave home took place over the Easter weekend, April 21st to the 25th 1916. A cutting from the Doncaster Priory Place circuit magazine states:

'Easter Sunday proved a memorable day of real spiritual refreshment through the preaching of the Rev(d). G.H. Pickering and the Rev(d). R.J. Hutchinson. The institute members enjoyed the afternoon meeting, which was addressed by the Rev(d). R.J. Hutchinson and presided over by Lance-Corporal E. Goodridge.'

On May the 25th 1916 one hundred men of the 23rd Reserve KRRC made the crossing from Folkstone to Boulogne and from there on to a British training camp at Etaples. 

The stay at Etaples was short and on the 14th of June the reservists left for the Belgian Front at Ploegsteert to join the main (18th) Battalion. By 6p.m. that evening Ernest was in the Trenches.

His experiences of life in the Trenches is revealed in numerous letters and diary entries which would require more space than can be given here to do them full justice. 

Ernest remained at Ploegsteert until the 25th of August when the Battalion moved to The Somme. This is where Ernest witnessed 'A different kind of fighting'.

Ernest Goodridge 1916.

Again, his experiences, always upbeat, are told in the many letters home and through his briefer diary entries, his final letter of the 3rd of October to his family ends with the following prophetic post-script:

'My last word to my numerous and dear friends who have made Earth nothing short of Heaven for me many times. Christ is still the most precious possession in the world for me. Continue to serve Him until the Dawn.'

The man who had never lost his faith was killed in action, possibly in the early morning of the 4th of October 1916, while fighting near the town of Flers. 

The following letter sent to Ernest's mother Maria on the 17th of October by Chaplain A.N. Preston must have offered at least a crumb of comfort to the grieving family:

'Dear Mrs Goodridge, You will have heard by now of the death of Cpl. E. Goodridge of the 18th KRR. I am sure it will help you to know that on Oct. 13th I was able to get in his body and give him a decent Christian burial and put up a little Cross to mark his grave. Please remember that he died the noblest death a man can die and that, it is only his body that lies here in France, while his Soul, the real self you know and love has gone back to God who loves him.

May JESUS CHRIST who DIED for you, and knows what pain and sorrow mean, comfort you now in your time of sorrow.

Yours sincerely, A.N. Preston (Chaplain) att/20th King's Liverpool Regiment...' 

It is not known precisely where Ernest's grave lies, however the Imperial War Graves Commission indicated in a letter to John that he was buried just north of Flers.

Ernest is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

A Family's Grief

The news of the loss of their dear Ernest must have hit the Goodridge family very hard indeed. In his memoirs, John Goodridge writes:

'On Saturday morning (Oct 21st) when Rev[d]. Mark. H. Earl and his wife called to see mother who was very ill in bed, she insisted on his reading II Sam. I. the chapter which records the death of Saul and Jonathan. They tried to dissuade her from having it read but she insisted. Mr Earl could scarcely get through it for emotion but Mother remained strong and brave throughout. The passage which she especially wanted was verse 25 [23] 'Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives and in their death they were not divided.' It appears that she was thinking of Ernest and his chum William H. Long and strangely enough a few days later news came to us that his chum had been killed in action shortly after Ernest. They were indeed 'lovely and pleasant in their lives and in death they were not divided.'

Mother's bravery and Father's triumphant faith have been a wonderful miracle of grace. I hurried home on Oct 21st almost expecting to find father prostrate but I found him serene and happy in God's Love. Several friends had called and he was in their midst comforting them and to me his face seemed to be radiant. God has given him grace and courage to cross the bridge now he has come to it. As I write this, he has gone upstairs to obtain something or to do some little duty but I can hear him pouring out his soul to God. His faith is unshaken. His feet are on the Rock. God's Peace fills his heart.' 

William Heathcote Long and Ernest Goodridge,
'lovely and pleasant in their lives and in death they were not divided.'

They died within 24 hours of each other.

Bentley Wesleyan Church

The Roll Of Heroes

Pro Patria

The Names Of Those Who Have Been

Connected With

Bentley Wesleyan Church

Who Have Given Their Lives For Their Country

Leonard Peace. K.O.Y.L.I. June 1915

John H. Hope. K.O.Y.L.I. July 1915

John Y. Ogley. K.O.Y.L.I. September 1915

Ernest Goodridge. K.R.R. October 1916

William H. Long. K.R.R. October 1916

Bernard Seaton. K.O.Y.L.I. 1916

Edgar C. Lambert. R. [?.?] December 1917

Albert Windle. M.O.C. April 1918

Sidney Burgin. R.A.D.

George Grayshon. Y.L.I.

Allan O. Honeyphone.

Leonard Durrow. October 1918

Arnold Peace. October 1918

Ernest is also commemorated on a similar memorial at St Peter's Church, Bentley as a former bellringer, and at Doncaster Grammar School as one of the 'Old Danensians Fallen in the War 1914-1918.'

Ernest's Commemorative Scroll.

Ernest's medallion.

The Same Stars Shine

Star shells glare in the sky

It is a consolation to me that we have the

same verities as at home, the same stars shine

upon us the same moon the same sky smiles

upon us.

The book, The Same Stars Shine, was written, compiled and edited by Ernest N. Goodridge and John A. Goodridge. Ernest N. was the son of Jonathan Brooks Goodridge (Ernest's brother), and his nephew John A. is the son of Jonathan's son, Jonathan Francis (Frank). Sadly Ernest N. Goodridge passed away some years ago. 

To read more about Ernest's life and especially his War Diary and letters, the book is available (used copies only) from Amazon, go to 'The Same Stars Shine'.

For an online version of the book go to The Same Stars Shine. Although please note, photographs have not yet been added.

As of September 2023 and for a limited time only, John is offering a number of FREE copies of the printed book, to request a book email John at johnagoodridge@googlemail.com

A Note on 'Railway View'

On receiving my copy of The Same Stars Shine I was surprised to find I had a personal link to Ernest's childhood home, Railway View. In 1946 my Grandfather began renting the land that Railway View had once backed on to. He was a motor engineer and rented (later purchased) the land behind the cottage for his garage business, D.P. Breach and Son. The cottage still existed when Grandad first set up his business there, and there was a boundary between the two, but later, the cottage was demolished in the 1950's. I remember as a young girl in the 1960's being shown some floor tiles hidden in the long grass just over the fence from the garage car park, and my Grandad telling me about the railway cottage that used to stand there. 

To find out all these years later that my Grandad's, and later my Dad's land had a connection to such a powerful story was a wonderful discovery.

For the full story of D.P. Breach and Son, go to D. P. Breach & Son, Motor engineers.  

My Grandad at D.P. Breach and Son in 1971.

Afterword

When I set out to write an article based on the book The Same Stars Shine I was intending to just pick up on Ernest's recollections of old Bentley and more or less review the book itself. However, once I started, I became so caught up in Ernest's life, and those of his family and friends that I couldn't leave anything out! His enthusiasm for life was captivating and he packed more into his short 24 years than most do in a full lifetime!

I am very grateful to Ernest, for writing all these experiences down. He lived at a turning point in Bentley's history, when rural life gave way to industry. Bentley would never be the same again and to have this insight into what it was really like in those gentler times is something to cherish. Throughout Ernest's correspondence no quotation turns up more than this one:

'Memory of things precious keepeth warm the heart.'

I for one think that is so true.

Ernest Goodridge 1892 - 1916 

__________

Written with the kind permission of John A. Goodridge, please note all photographs are copyright.

Alison Vainlo

First written 2017, updated 2020