RS Goodbody

 

Enlisting and Training (1)

Raymond Stanley Goodbody, my stepfather and my father's brother, was born at Dunlace Road Clapton in 1926. He enlisted in the army August 1944 and joined the Essex Regiment in October 1944.

WW2

The Essex Regiment was involved in WW2 (N.W.E.) in France and Belgium and he joined them at the latter part of the war. When fighting ceased the regiment returned to England, where they begun training for the war in Burma against the Japanese.

Training (2)

He began further training for fighting the Japanese in Burma. This training would have ceased in September 1945 when the Japanese surrended. The surrender followed the United States dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 6th & 9th August. He was then transfered to the 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.

Middle East 

His Battalion was shipped to the Middle East in December 1945, docking at Port Said. He remained in the Middle East until July 1947, spending most of his time in Palestine (M.E.F.). They were tasked with maintaining peace between vicious bands of Arab & Jewish terrorists. They were stationed at various camps during the troubles, among them was Peninsula Barracks in Haifa and Megiddo camp, one of the camps was beside a railway. In 1948 he was then transfered to Cyprus, then later that year to England, where he was demobbed.

One famous name was CQMS Alf Ramsey later to become the England football manager, it is not known if he met Sir Alf. In 1947 they were posted to Dhekelia camp in Cyprus. 

 

SERVICE RECORDS NOW BEING TRANSCRIBED

 

For his service he was awarded the following medals:

See Photogallery:

 

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See Photogallery

In order of the photos in the Photogallery

  • Photos of medals awarded
  • France & Germany Star War Medal 1939/45
  • 1939-1945 War Medal
  • General Service Medal 1918 with clasp 'Palestine 1945-1948' GLI 
  • Probably taken when joining up
  • Guarding the railway at Jerusalem
  • Various photos in the middle east

 

Further information about his time in the army is currently being sought from the regiment.

Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Cornwall's_Light_Infantry

 

Cornwalls Regimental Museum

www.cornwalls-regimentalmuseum.org/

 

National Army Museum (Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry)

www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/duke-cornwalls-light-infantry

 

British Forces in Palestine

www.britishforcesinpalestine.org/index.html