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Augustus Frederick Goodman - Information

Augustus was the first of his brothers to enlist in the AIF. He was born in Dulladong near Manildra c1897 to Francis Alfred and Sarah Goodman. The Goodman family then resided in Camden, where Gus worked as a farmer. When the war began, he was still living with his family in Camden. Just after he turned 18 years old, he signed up on the 21st of February 1916 in Molong, NSW. He commenced his training at Dubbo with the 46th Battalion. He was then allotted to the 15th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion as a Private in Liverpool. Boarding the HMAT Euripides for war service, he departed Sydney on the 9th of September 1916.

Gus disembarked in Plymouth in late October. After further training, he was transported to France in mid December, joining his unit in the field. Gus and his mates endured the frozen conditions in the trenches waddling about in deep muddy water. After the Germans retreated to the Hindenburg Line in the new year, the Allies were ordered to follow and attack. The 19th Battalion participated in assaults at Lagnicourt and the Second Battle of Bullecourt in early May. Later in the year, the unit was shifted for operations in the Ypres Sector in Belgium, known as the Third Battle of Ypres. During these operations, Gus began to feel very unwell. He reported sick on the 16th of September with trench fever. He was evacuated to England and admitted to a Military Hospital. In early January 1918, Gus was shipped back to France rejoining the 19th Battalion. Shortly, Gus’ unit would help to slow the German Spring Offensive. The Germans had launched large scale assaults in March, using especially trained storm troops and gained much ground. The 19th Battalion hit them head on at Hangard Wood in April. Stopping them from overrunning Allied lines, British Command then went about pushing the Germans back. Using tactics of peaceful penetration, they were making headway. During these incursions, Gus was promoted Lance Corporal on the 17th of June. After fighting at the Battle of Amiens, he was again promoted to Temporary Corporal on the 20th of August. The Germans were now on the run. The Battle of Amiens opened up a string of successful attacks including Mont St Quentin, and Montbrehain. On the 9th of October, Gus made Corporal, and two days later left his mates now assigned to the 17th Battalion. Gus joined his new unit out of the frontlines, and luckily a month later the Armistice was announced on the 11th of November.

Gus remained with his unit for some time. He helped to muster up the troops after hostilities ceased, and was taken back to England in early 1919. After spending some time in training Depots, Gus was shipped back home onboard the Militiades on the 19th of June. Once he reached Australia, he was discharged in late September. He returned to his family in Camden, resuming his civilian life. By the 1950s, he was living in Canterbury.