GOODHEAD, Joseph

Joseph Goodhead was probably the son of Joseph Goodhead of 28 Little London, Caldmore, Walsall, and was married to Florence of 59 New Mills Street, Palfrey, Walsall. His link with Brierley Hill is unclear but he was the only Joseph Goodhead to have served in the war. He enlisted in the South Staffords Territorials and by 1918 was serving in the 2nd Battalion. Their gallant last stand in the Battle of Bapaume on the 25th March is very well known. Two companies were almost totally lost in the great German Spring offensive which opened on the 21st March and in total there were 351 missing. It is possible that Joseph Goodhead was one of those taken prisoner. He died on the 18th August and is now buried in Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery near St. Quentin (VIII C 10). This cemetery was well behind the German lines at that time and a post-war assembly from some 20 burial sites in the area. It is known to have included some originally German burials. Private Joseph Goodhead is commemorated on the Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.