Corporal Robert John Goodwin
Robert John Goodwin was born on 17 December 1884 in Fermanagh, the fourth or fifth child of Royal Irish Constabulary constable (later sergeant) Robert Goodwin and his wife Sarah (nee Pearson). By the time of the 1901 Census he and his older brother Edward were living at High Street, Enniskillen in the house of Jeremiah Jordan, member of parliament, grocer and provision merchant, both working as shop assistants.
On 15 December 1905 Goodwin joined the Royal Irish Constabulary (No.61551), over the next decade being stationed at Down and Sligo, and as a mounted constable at the Musgrave Street Barracks in Belfast.
On 1 March 1916 Goodwin enlisted in the North Irish Horse (No.2117), training at the regimental reserve depot at Antrim.
He married Martha Josephine Latimer at the Church of Ireland Parish Church in Ashfield, County Cavan, on 28 June that year.
Goodwin embarked for France on 12 September 1916. On 16 November he transferred to the Military Mounted Police (No.P/5541), remaining in that role throughout the war.
Following his demobilisation, on 22 September 1919 Goodwin was readmitted to the Royal Irish Constabulary. He remained with the RIC until the force was disbanded in 1922.
At least one of Robert Goodwin's brothers, William Andrew Goodwin, also serving in the war, with the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He was killed in action on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme.
Sergeant William Goodwin