The name of one of Lancefield’s fallen from World War I will be added to the town’s memorial in time for his family to honour him on Anzac Day.
Private Herbert Golding fought with the 23rd Battalion at Lone Pine in August, 1915. They were among the last troops to evacuate Gallipoli, on December 20 that year.
The battalion transferred to France in March, 1916, suffering heavy casualties around Pozieres. Private Golding was admitted to hospital with arm, thigh and hip wounds, later dying from his injuries.
His great niece, Jay Brooks, told
Star Weekly that his name was not included on the Lancefield memorial when it was constructed because his widow, Annie Florence, left the area with their two sons after his enlistment.
Ms Brooks, along with more than a dozen family members and direct descendants, will witness that omission being rectified next month when Private Golding’s name is added to the memorial.
“Our family treasures the letters he wrote from the front line, reassuring us that he was well, and in good spirits and was strong in the Christian faith which had led him to enlist,” she said. “To see his name added to the memorial will be a very special day for our family to remember him.”
Ms Brooks said that before he enlisted, Private Golding was a journalist.
He worked with a number of Victorian and South Australian newspapers and became the proprietor of the
Lancefield Mercury in 1913. The newspaper was published and printed at a High Street building now a costume hire shop.
