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b.1895-d.1918
George’s Story
George Henry Gooding’s birth was registered in the March quarter of 1896 (reference Holborn 1b 710). The Holborn Registration District covered the St. Luke’s district. He had been born on 6 December 1895. His parents were Thomas, a sadler, and Elizabeth and they lived at 18 Chapel Street.
George was baptised on 29 December 1895 at St. Silas Church, Pentonville.
His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth née Robinson. The couple had married on 21 June 1880 at St. Paul’s Church, Clerkenwell. Thomas was 23 years old and a harness maker, and Elizabeth was 18 years old. They lived at 35 Waterloo Street.
Present in the 1901 Census, at 9 Deacon Street Newington were, Thomas Gooding, head of the family aged 44, a horse harness maker who had been born in Mile End. His wife was Elizabeth, aged 38, born in St. Luke’s. Their children were James J. aged 13, and George H. aged 5. Both children were born in St. Luke’s. Thomas and Elizabeth were both deaf and dumb.
George Enters the Workhouse
On 8 June 1909, George aged 13 was admitted to the Constance Road Workhouse Camberwell. He was a scholar. Under ‘observations’ was written ‘epilepsy’.
On 11 September 1909, he was discharged from Constance Road Workhouse Camberwell, to his parents.
Then on 19 July 1910 he was admitted to the Newington Workhouse Westmoreland Road.
On 20 July 1910 aged 14, he was discharged from Newington Workhouse to the Infirmary.
Comment : Deacon Street is about half a mile from the Newington Workhouse in Westmoreland Road. Both are roads turning off the Walworth Road.
On 17 March 1911, he was admitted to Newington Workhouse aged 16. Under ‘calling’ was written the date ‘6.12.1895’. This was his date of birth.
The Census of 1911 was taken on the night of 2/3 April. At 56 Villa Street Walworth were Thomas Gooding the head of the family, aged 53, a leather harness-maker, Elizabeth his wife aged 43, and their daughter Charlotte aged 28, a tin box maker. All were born in Islington. Thomas and Elizabeth had been married for 26 years. They had 7 children, 3 of whom had died. They were both deaf and dumb.
Also in the Census, as an inmate of the Newington Workhouse, was George Henry Gooding aged 15. He had no occupation and was born in Islington.
On 12 April 1911 he was discharged from the Newington Workhouse ‘to mother’.
On 7 April 1912 George age 16, now an errand boy, was admitted to Newington Workhouse.
On 12 April 1912, he was discharged from Newington Workhouse to ‘Belmont’.
Comment : Belmont refers to Banstead Asylum in Belmont, Sutton.
On 3 June 1913, aged 17, he was admitted to St. George’s Workhouse Mint Street Southwark. He was discharged on 9 June 1913 to Long Grove Asylum.
In 1918, George died aged 22 in Long Grove Asylum. His death was registered in the March quarter of 1918 (reference Epsom 2a 94).
Written by Tony McGarry
