William George Goddard

Story:
William George Goddard was born in Sixpenny Handley, Dorset, on 3 Jun 1899 and was baptised there on 6 Aug 1899 the son of Tom Goddard, a Carpenter, and Edith Goddard (nee Maidment).  He lived his early life in Sixpenny Handley.  He had enlisted on 23 Oct 1915 with the Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as a Private (Service No. 22254).  He was quickly found out to be only 16 years old and was promptly discharged on 3 Nov 1915 under Kings Regulations of being underage.  There is no evidence that he re-enlisted as a later date.   He had married Elsie E. Wales in Bournemouth, Hampshire, during 1926.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Alpine Cottage, Walkford, Christchurch, Hampshire, working as a Motor Mechanic.  His death was recorded in Bournemouth, Hampshire, during 1978.  His brothers, Darcy Walter Goddard and Leonard Goddard, also served during the conflict.