Goldsworthy, Joseph Clarence

863 Sergeant Joseph Clarence Goldsworthy - 59th Railway Operating Company

Joseph Clarence Goldsworthy was born in Truro England on the 13th November 1873 to Joseph and Sarah Goldsworthy, being one of four siblings, with, Henry 1866, Ralph 1876, and Amy.

His father died in April 1879 in Truro Cornwall and Joseph lived in Cornwall through to 1890's.

He was married on the 1st October 1894 to Elizabeth Pooley Whitford in Cornwall. The family then moved to WA in 1894. He started work with Western Australian Government Railways in January 1895, firstly as a cleaner in Northam, then as a fireman and driver.

In 1898 they moved to Kalgoorlie and 1901 to Bunbury and then in 1904 to Fremantle. They were initially residing at Swan Street North Fremantle and Joseph was working as a Locomotive Engineer. They then moved to 11 Mandurah Road South Fremantle (later renamed 171 south tce) before moving to Bay Rd North Fremantle. (Later renamed to 10 Rule Street)

Joseph had tried to enlist early in the war but was knocked back due to medical issues, but with the announcement of a Railway Corps being formed for the Australian Imperial Force, he was quick again to offer his services and on the 19th December 1916 was this time accepted. He was an experienced Locomotive Driver and was accepted as fit for service.

The medical examiner recorded Joseph's details as;

Height - 5 feet 8 inches tall;

Weight - 135lbs;

Chest Measurement - 38-40 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Dark Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment, Joseph was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the Railway Corps. Due to his experience Joseph was promoted to Sergeant soon after entering camp.

Joseph was attached to the 3rd Railway Section. They did not have long in WA as on the 29th January 1917 they embarked from Fremantle Harbour aboard the transport ship HMAT Miltiades. The ship set sail for England, arriving at Devonport Harbour on the 29th March 1917.

After being disembarked they were sent to the Railway depot at Bordon Barracks. Joseph was here for several weeks and on the 12th May 1917 departed for France. He was now attached to the 59th Railway Operating Company.

He served with the 59th Company and then the 5th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company in France and Belgium through 1917 and 18.

For a time they were responsible for running what was known as the 'Midland Line'. This ran from north of Poperinghe to Regensberg north of Ypres and then to St Julien. 

They later operated from near Abbeville and ran services to Boulogne and Dunkirk as they were connected to the main French rail network. 

They were kept very busy bringing supplies and troops up to the front lines and while not in the trenches, the railway men were often under long range artillery fire and bombing from the German planes as the Germans knew the importance of the Railway lines and terminus's.

After a busy nine months, in March 1918 Joseph was granted two week's leave to the UK. He then returned to his unit in France and resumed his Railway duties.

Joseph served with his unit until the 17th September 1918. He was then medically boarded for a return home to Australia. On the 18th September he went into the Australian Base Depot Camp at Le Havre. He had two weeks here and then on the 2nd October 1918 reached England.

Joseph was then sent to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth to await his return home. On the 9th December 1918 he boarded the transport ship HMAT Argyllshire and set sail for Australia, reaching Fremantle on the 19th January 1919.

After his return home he was given a full medical examination at No.8 Australian General Hospital Fremantle. He was then discharged from the AIF on the 27th February 1919.

In 1920 Joseph returned to the UK and then by 1925 was living in Detroit Michigan USA. Joseph died on the 15th Jan 1933 in Detroit Wayne Michigan aged 60 from pneumonic meningitis. He was buried in Detroit.