Skegness Magazine

Local Soldier’s Homecoming
Magnificent Public Welcome to Pte Walter Goude

Source: Skegness, Mablethorpe and Alford News 1915

The return to his home of Private Walter Goude, 6 Cecil Avenue, Skegness, after spending some time in a Leicester hospital consequent upon injuries received “Somewhere in France”, formed the occasion of a public assembly and welcome last Wednesday evening.

Although the fact of Pte Goude’s homecoming was only circulated on the morning of that day this made apparently little difference, and it is doubtful whether any other “attraction” could have enticed such a huge gathering as that which paid honour to the local named hero.
The station approach was literally packed with people, and when the carriage which conveyed Pte Goude to his home passed through the Lumley Square even that spacious thoroughfare appeared all too inadequate to comfortably accommodate the interested populace. Indeed one astonished person remarked that “if the bloomin’ old Kaiser himself had come it wouldn’t have fetched many more folks out!” and it appeared extremely doubtful whether many remained indoors to be “fetched out”.

It was chiefly due to Mrs L Martin-Simpson that Pte Goude was honoured in such signal fashion,, , this lady spending a very busy day in conveying the tidings of his homecoming to the principals of the various organisations represented and the many well-known residents who assembled to give him welcome. Mrs Martin-Simpson was among the first to shake Pte Goude by the hand, and among others present on the platform were Rev and Mrs W J Price, Rev James Parle, Rev S Rathmell, Mrs Disney, Coun J H Sleight, JP, Mr G H Dutton, Mrs Bracy, etc.
The Rev W Disney greatly regretted being unable to be present, as did also the Rev J Nicholls (Primative Methodist minister). Capt Chilcott and Lieut Meades (Salvation Army) were also noticed among the attendance.

The Skegness Cadets (of which Pte Goude was for some time a member prior to his joining the Foreign Service Section of the 5th Lincolnshire Territorials in August last) were present under Lieuts J Kaye and H Enderby; the Skegness Companies of the Boys’ Brigade were in charge of Capt R Batley and Lieuts Shepherd and Barney; and Mr Bernard Fowles and Mr A Ham were in charge of the local BP and Sea Scouts. The members of these organisations formed two lines from the platform to the station entrance, with Pioneer North and Lieut Barney in charge of the colours of the Cadets and BB respectively. The colours and Scouts poles were crossed as Pte Goude passed, and the remaider of the lads came to the salute. A tattoo was beaten by the drummers of the allied bugle bands as the train steamed into the station, and three hearty cheers mingled with the blare of the bugles as Pte Goude passed between the lines. Among those who shook him heartily by the hand was Pte Kirk, a member of the same Company of Territorials, who has recently bee invalided to his home at Wainfleet through wounds received in action.

Pte Goude, who was able to walk by leaning heavily on a stick, was visibly affected by his welcome, although he smiled cheerily in acknowledgement of the appreciation of the crowd. His face bore evidence of the pain he has undergone as a result of the injuries to his groin and the wounds received in his arm. He was accompanied from Leicester by his mother, who also visited him there in hospital recently.

Those who accompanied Pte Goude in the carriage were his mother, brother, sister-in-law, Mrs Martin_Simpson, Mrs Disney, Father James Parle and Coun Sleight.

Cecil Avenue, in which the family live, was bedecked with flags and bunting in honour of the homecoming, and many neighbours and friends hastened to make enquiries and extend congratulations to Pte Goude upon his arrival.

We sincerely hope that he may quickly be benefited  by the bracing air of Skegness, although the nature of his internal injuries renders it practically impossible for him to return to national service again.