Private David H Gooding

David Henry Gooding was the son of John and Edith Gooding, of Wattstown, Glamorgan, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Gooding successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 151B from 28 January to 19 February 1945. His course report stated “A good performer, quick to learn, well disciplined and hardworking”. He was posted to 8th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Gooding was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 18, whilst taking part in the daylight parachute drop into Germany as part of the Rhine Crossing during operation Varsity and was given a field burial at Diersfortwald, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 30 October 1946.

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