John Joseph Goodall was born on 12th July 1918 at Preston Brook, the son of William Goodall who was born at Rocksavage near Runcorn and his wife Mary (nee Johnson) who was from Preston Brook.
The 1921 Census recorded the Goodall family as living at Tunnel End at Preston Brook. The father was employed as a canal porter for the Manchester Ship Canal Company at Preston Brook. Mary looked after the home and did laundry work for the Runcorn Union Workhouse at Dutton. John Joseph had three older sisters, Lavinia Gwendolen, Winifred Mary, and Doris Elizabeth who were all at school. Another sister had been born in 1916 but had passed away that same year.
Sadly, William Goodall passed away in 1929.
The 1939 Register recorded John Joseph as living with his widowed mother and his sister Lavinia at Tunnel End in Preston Brook. He was employed as a furniture salesman and Lavinia as a shorthand typist for a solicitor. Their mother was still employed as a daily laundry worker.
John Joseph was also recorded in 1939 as being in the 16th Searchlight M D Battery 120, service number 10241503.
It is not known if John Joseph Goodall married or where and when he passed away.
John Joseph Goodall did serve in WW2, but it is not known exactly what form this service took. He is mentioned in an article in the Warrington Guardian in June 1946 about Victory Celebrations in Preston Brook but was not present on the day.
If anyone has any knowledge of his WW2 service and his later life, please contact Daresbury District Heritage Group.
