Gooding, Cyril Arthur

Cyril Gooding was born in Kent, England on October 30, 1897 to parents William and Ellen Gooding. The family immigrated to the United States and then on to Canada with the large influx of Mormon pioneers to southern Alberta. Cyril was raised in Cardston with brothers Vern, Regelund, and Ray. They made their home in Cardston where Cyril Gooding found employment as a clerk. On January 10, 1916, Cyril Gooding enlisted with the 113th Battalion CEF Lethbridge Highlanders. He arrived in England on October 6, 1916 on the SS Tuscania. He was transferred to the 16th Battalion CEF on November 22, 1916 and embarked for France shortly thereafter. Pte Gooding remained at the front lines with the 16th Battalion as a signaler for five months and saw action at key battles including the Somme, Arras and Vimy Ridge. On April 9, 1917 Pte Gooding was one of 3,598 Canadian soldiers who fell at Vimy Ridge. Sadly, like many other young Canadians that day, his remains were never recovered or identified. He is remembered at the Vimy Ridge Memorial. Cyril Gooding was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. His mother, Ellen received the Memorial Cross and death plaque in honour of her son