HISTORY

This Goulder family photograph was taken at Manor Farm, Aylsham before the Great War.

It details John William and Mary Goulder, seated, with their two daughters, Sybil Mary and Frances Mercy and five sons.

John Lee, Robert Christopher, Humphrey William, Colin Charles are all standing behind and Clare Horsley sitting cross-legged in front.

In the space of 18 months in 1915/16, Sergeant John Lee Goulder, was killed in action at Sulva Bay, Corporal Robert Christopher Goulder was killed in the German Trenches of the Somme and Lance Corporal Clare Horsley Goulder died from a gunshot wound to the leg sustained at Carnoy (also on the Somme).

Sergeant John Lee Goulder, 5th Territorial Battalion Norfolk regiment, was killed in action at Sulva Bay on August 12th 1915, aged 32 years.  He died in a significant battle between Suvla Bay & Anafarta the 5th Norfolks had at least 370 casualties.

“Standing to arms at 3pm as an attack was commenced on our right. There was no movement in our part of the battle-field. At night a party of Turks tried to make an advanced trench, but this was stopped by the torpedo boat on the left and the machine-guns – 4 men killed in action including Sgt. Goulder.

John was the second of seven children of John & Mary Goulder. He was born in Aylsham and lived on Cromer Road and Pound Road (Lane) with his parents. As a young man, prior to the war, he became a farmer living at Park Farm, Blickling.

Corporal Robert Christopher Goulder was killed in the German Trenches north of Carnoy and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.  The following tribute appeared in the Carrow Works magazine, October 1916:

“to his home folk we offer our most sincere sympathy in their great loss, which we also share. He has gone from us, the call of duty was answered, the supreme sacrifice has been made, and his name is added to the glorious role of honour which stands for right and liberty; but the memory of his honest, manly ways will always hold a warm place in our hearts.”

Robert’s legacy was very much a part of the Recreation Ground history.  There is evidence in the Norwich Union archives of the life policy of £300 taken out on Robert Christopher’s life and of the pay-out when he died of wounds received in battle. This money was
generously given towards the cost of the sports pavilion on the memorial Recreation Ground on land also given by his parents. His borther Clare died on the same battle field.

Lance Corporal Clare Horsley Goulder died on 31st October 1916 from a gunshot wound to the leg sustained at Carnoy (on the Somme).  His life was honoured by the Town at his funeral and he is commemorated in Aylsham Cemetery.

“The deceased was accorded full military honours, and every shop in the town was shaded whilst the Market Place and the route from the parish Church to the Cemetery was lined with large numbers of sympathetic spectators. The body which was enclosed in a coffin of polished oak with brass furniture arrived at Aylsham by train shortly before noon and was conveyed to the church where it rested on a bier just behind the font. The latter had been draped with the flags of the Allies and at the foot were arranged many choice floral tributes.”

One of the town’s greatest assets, the Recreation Ground hosted an annual Sports day which was to become a springboard for the annual Aylsham Show, now held on the Blickling Estate. The first modern show, actually Aylsham Fete and Gymkhana was held on the “Rec” on June 10, 1946.

Compiled from various sources including family photographs and information provided by Robert Goulder.

Photos courtesy of Aylsham Town Archive – click an image to view details