Darcy Walter Goddard

Story:
Darcy Walter Goddard was born in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 23 Apr 1890 and baptised there on 15 Jun 1890 the son of Tom Goddard, a Carpenter, and Edith Goddard (nee Maidment).  He lived all his life in Sixpenny Handley apart from a very short period of Military Service.  He enlisted on 9 Dec 1915 but was not mobilized until 10 Feb 1916 and joined the 7th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment as a Private (Service No. 16741).  Shortly after he was transferred to the Training Reserve (Service No. TR/8/8185).  He was discharged on 15 Sep 1916 being no longer fit for service due to synocitis of the knee joint.  There is no record of being awarded any medals or even the Silver War Badge.  He married Ethel Kate Downs in Wimborne, Dorset, on 26 Apr 1924.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 14 Council Houses, Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, working as a Lorry Driver.  His death was recorded on 16 Apr 1975 in Poole, Dorset, and he was buried in Sixpenny Handley on 19 Apr 1975.  His brothers, Leonard Goddard and William George Goddard, also served during the conflict.