AC Goodbody (K.I.A.)

Albert Charles Goodbody was born on the 21 January 1889 in Mile End London. He moved to various address in North London and by 1911 he was living in Lower Edmonton London. The 1911 census shows him as a Tram Conductor for Metropolitan Tramways Ltd. In 1913 he signed up for 12 years in the Royal Navy. Four years later as a submariner in WW1, he was killed in action. He was on board the submarine G9 in the North Sea and was sunk by the destroyer HMS Pasley (Friendly Fire) in foul weather on the night of 16 September 1917. G9 had mistaken Pasley for a U-boat and fired two torpedoes at her. The first struck Pasley on her starboard quarter, but too acutely to detonate; the second passed astern. On seeing the submarine's wash, Pasley's officer of the watch, Midshipman Frank Wallis, RNR, turned the boat hard to starboard and rammed G9 just aft of amidships all but cutting her in two, and she sank less than one minute later with the loss of all but one of her crew, Stoker William Drake. Albert was also a stoker and may have been working alongside William Drake at the time of the incident. G9 was one of eight Royal Naval submarines to be lost to friendly fire during WW1. Albert served on over 30 vessels during his time in the navy, serving on some ships more than once.

 

A photograph of G9 is included in photogallery.

 

Albert Charles Goodbody was my 3rd cousin once removed.