Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

An Acrostic.
IN MEMORIAM.
HERBERT SHERLOCK GOOCH
("Tim"),
Private, 7th Light Horse.
Killed at Gallipoli.

The Empire called! Australia's sons
In thousands rushed to meet the foe,
Madly fought the German Huns,
Gave the Turks a crushing blow!
Onward, 'mid the cannons' roar!
Onward, through the gates of Hell!
Charging on a foreign shore,
He, like a hero, fighting fell.

Thousands of "Truth's" readers who have been amused by his humorous sketches in these columns will feel a pang of regret for poor "Tim," while scores of personal acquaintances, forgetful of his characteristic irresponsibility, which occasionally verged on the reckless, will remember him only for his cheery good-nature and frolicsome, mischief-loving spirit. "Tim" was in the Boer War, and was awarded a medal with three bars. He was 34 [40] years of age when he fell at Gallipoli on June 23.' from Truth 11 Jul 1915 (nla.gov.au)

'Herbert Gooch - better known as "Tim" - was born near Tamworth in New South Wales around 1875. As a child he and his sister, Bertha, were taken by their parents to live in Brisbane after they gave up their station in the Upper Hunter district. Tim had a normal schooling in Brisbane and went on to work variously as draughtsman and sketch artist. He also gained fame as a cartoonist and caricaturist for newspapers and other publications.

Gooch served in the Boer War, leaving Australia in March 1901 with the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent. After the war he returned to Toowong in Queensland. He enlisted again shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, changing his age from 39 down to 32 in order to be more likely to gain admission to the Australian Imperial Force.

He was accepted and was initially posted to the 3rd Field Company Engineers. However, after a short time in training he was considered unsuitable for the role, and was discharged as "unlikely to become an efficient sapper". Weeks later he enlisted again, but this time was posted to the Light Horse, which suited him better. He sailed for Egypt in October 1914 with reinforcements to the 7th Light Horse Regiment.

On 20 May 1915 Tim Gooch was reported to have deserted from the force in Cairo. In fact, he had made his way independently to the Gallipoli peninsula, apparently not getting there soon enough through official channels for his liking. He arrived on 31 May 1915 and reported for duty to the regiment's headquarters on 1 June 1915.

The 7th Light Horse, although at that time predominantly involved in defence of the line, were still operating under very dangerous conditions. In those early days men were killed by snipers, stray bullets, shell-fire, and even over-zealous sentries. Three weeks after he reported for duty with his regiment, Gooch was seriously wounded by a gunshot to the neck. He was evacuated to the hospital ship Gascon, but died of his wounds and was buried at sea three miles off Gaba Tepe. He was forty years old.' The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (724) Trooper Herbert Sherlock Gooch, 7th Light Horse, First World War. Story delivered 19 February 2014. (www.awm.gov.au)

'Notes on Casualties.

Mrs. J. B. Gooch has received the sad news that her son, Private Herbert Sherlock Gooch (Tim Gooch) has died of wounds received at the Dardanelles on 23rd June. The late Private Gooch left Brisbane shortly before the departure of the first contingent, with a section of engineers, but subsequently transferred to the 7th Light Horse, New South Wales. He had previously seen active service, having been with the 5th Queenslanders (the fighting fifth), in the South African war, in connection with which he was awarded a medal and three bars. His friends were legion, and scores of messages of sympathy are being received by his mother and his only sister (Mrs. A. J. Moorhouse). Up to the time of enlisting, Private Gooch (Tim as he was so well known, in the world of black and white art and caricature, and to his host of acquaintances), was a most brilliant vivacious, and big-hearted little fellow, and all will regret his brave death at the early age of 34 [40] years.' from The Telegraph 13 Jul 1915 (nla.gov.au)

"TIM" GOOCH.

HOW HE WAS KILLED.

Lieut.-Col, J. M. Arnott, commanding officer of the 7th Light Horse, writing from Anzac to Mrs. Gooch, Irving-street, Toowong, relates how her son met his death on June 22 last. Tim was shot while in bivouac by a bullet which came over from the far distant firing line. The regiment had taken a term of 10 days in the trenches, and had been relieved and sent into bivouac for rest. The colonel continues: "It seemed most unfortunate that, after your son had done his duty well in the trenches, he should be shot when we came out for a spell." "Tim" was taken aboard the hospital ship, and everything possible was done for him. Lieut.-Colonel Arnott expressed his deepest sympathy for the bereaved mother.' from Truth 12 Sep 1915 (nla.gov.au)

'ON THE TRACK.

"Jon Barlee-Corn" forwards another Boer War yarn : for four days and four nights we had sweated, cursed and slaved, helping by means of ropes to drag the guns and other impedimenta attached to our column (Plumer's) up across the Drakensburg Mountains (South-eastern Transvaal), our objective being the Pongolo River where General Louis Botha was supposed to be in hiding with 5,000 men in the thick scrub fringlng the upper waters of that river. Despite repeated protests we went in rags, a circumstance which ultimately led to a semi-successful strike. Imagine soldiers on strike! To make matters worse we were also half starved.

On the particular day of which I write some extraordinary emaciated sheep that had been picked up somewhere on the veldt were killed and offered to the various divisions (platoons). When the sheep were rationed out there were numerous and sultry protests, which culminated in a deputation parading before the Lieutenant-Colonel (Flevell Smith). One of the slaughtered sheep also took part In that parade, and it was well decorated by artist Tim Gooch, a well-known Brisbane cartoonist, who was killed at Gallipoli during the late war. On the starboard side of the carcass Goochie tacked a large sheet of paper on which was printed, "In the midst of life we are in death," and surmounted by a particularly gruesome skull and crossbones. The port side bore, "Abandon hope all ye who eat this," and it was illustrated by numberless rows of tombstones bearing the names of some unpopular brass-hats. The decorated frozen sheep (it was winter time) was jambled well on to the withers of the poorest crock available, which was coaxed, shoved and shooed along with the living reputation right up to headquarters tent. When the Colonel eventually got his breath one could have heard his roars of rage at Capetown, but he had to laugh — afterwards. P.S. However short of rations or clothes we were in those distant days, the brass hats saw to it that we were always loaded well beyond Plimsoll with cartridges.' from Townsville Daily Bulletin 23 Jul 1930 (nla.gov.au)