Four: Stoker First Class J. Goddard, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (284152. J. Goddard. Sto. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (284152 J. Goddard. Sto. 1., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (284152 John Goddard. Sto. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Research.) better than very fine (4) £100-£140

John Goddard was born on 4 April 1877, at Wells, Somerset. He commenced naval service as Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Victory II, on 18 November 1896. He was posted to H.M.S. Royal Sovereign and H.M.S. Trafalgar, being advanced to Stoker in September 1897. He subsequently served in several ships including H.M.S. Victory II, H.M.S. Hannibal, H.M.S. Duke of Wellington II, H.M.S. Cressy, and H.M.S. Firequeen. He was advanced to Stoker First Class in H.M.S. Fisgard on 1 July 1906. He was shore pensioned from H.M.S. Victory I, on 17 November 1908, but joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day.

During the Great War Goddard saw service in H.M.S. Europa, H.M.S. Research, H.M.S. Attentive II, H.M.S. Victory II and H.M.S. Pembroke II, and was demobilised in February 1919. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1918.

H.M.S. Research was a paddle survey vessel. In 1915 she was stationed at Portland to be used as a depot ship for locally employed armed trawlers.