238 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



" The death, which was caused by a large German shell, was 

 unexpected, as German shells were rare in that part of the line, 

 so his last days were quite ordinary. He was in charge of th^ ee 

 guns and had just been round them and was talking to some of 

 his men and brother-officers. He cannot have been back in his 

 dug-out more than a few minutes when the shell came which 

 killed him and his servant instantaneously. Both were buried 

 in the debris. After much labour we managed to recover both 

 bodies, and they have been buried side by side by one of the 

 Brigade chaplains. 



" The death of so promising a young officer was a great blow 

 to us. He was very popular, his soldierly and cheerful qualities 

 being much appreciated, and you have our sincere sympathies 

 in your loss of a nephew of whom you may well be proud." 



That Mr. Gooderham's patriotism was approved by the 

 people he had worked amongst at Crouch End is vouched for by 

 an interesting little ceremony that took place in the vestry 

 after evening service on January 10, 1915. 



Mr. Gooderham had been asked to attend this little gathering, 

 as the churchwardens wished to present him with a remembrance 

 from his friends in Crouch End. 



Having been given forty-eight hours' leave for the occasion, 

 he arrived in the vestry for the first time as a soldier of the 

 King, having travelled up from Felixstowe in uniform. No 

 notice of the meeting had been given except in church, but a 

 whisper had got abroad and the gathering was a representative 

 one, comprising people of all ages. 



The vicar spoke a few kind words, saying he had been very 

 fortunate in his curates, all of whom had possessed distinctive 

 qualities. Mr. Gooderham had made but a brief stay at Crouch 

 End, but many would never forget him, his singleness of mind 

 and unvariable amiability being particularly attractive. He 

 trusted his late curate would return from the war safe and 

 sound, and be able to resume his career as a minister of the 

 Church of God. Some letters were read that had come from 

 subscribers to the parting present, which was a pair of good 

 field-glasses. One man, who had been a contributor, said he 

 had never met anyone who came so near to his conception of an 

 ideal Christian. Many said their thoughts and prayers would 

 follow him. 



