Aircraftsman 2nd class Charles Edward Goff
| Date of Birth | 27 April 1883 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 33 |
| Date of Death | 9 September 1916 |
| Service Number | F/16457 |
| Military Service | Royal Naval Air Service, Kingsnorth |
| Merton Address | 37 Quintin Avenue, Merton |
| Local Memorial | St. Saviour’s Church, Raynes Park |
Additional Information
Charles Edward Goff was born in Westminster in London on 27th April 1883. He married Helena Victoria Augusta Wilkins in Reading in 1910. By 1911 he was living with his wife in Whitehall Park Road, Chiswick and working as a clerk in a gas company office. He moved to Merton sometime after this as he is shown in the 1915 Kelly’s directory to be living at 37 Quintin Avenue in Merton Park.
After the outbreak of war Charles enlisted in the Royal Naval Air Service and served in HMS President when engaged in hostilities from June to September 1916. HMS President was a ‘Q-ship’ submarine hunter that escorted supply ships sailing across the Atlantic from America.
The Register of Seamen’s Services shows that Charles died on 9th September 1916 after being accidentally struck by an airship propeller at Kingsnorth Airship Station on the Hoo Peninsula. The cause of death was given as laceration of the brain. RNAS Kingsnorth was an experimental station for airships which also provided anti-submarine patrols.
Probate records confirm his address at the time of death as 37 Quintin Avenue, Merton Park but it appears that his widow Helena left Merton soon after his death. She received £352.19s.9d from his estate.
Aircraftsman Goff is buried at Tilehurst Cemetery near Reading in Berkshire. His widow had returned to the area where they were married. He is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Saviour’s Church in Raynes Park.