Nat Gould

Nathaniel John Gould 1890-1961

Nathaniel John Gould was born on 12 March 1890 in the homestead of Joyce, South Australia, the son of Nathaniel Gould 1856-1941 and his wife nee Ethel K. Sinclair.

He served in the First World War with the 12th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force for four months in Gallipoli, and afterwards in France until the end of the was in 1918 (1).

He was awarded the Military Medal on 21 September 1916 for "Gallantry and devotion to duty as stretcher bearer at Pozieres" on the Western Front in France (2).

On 13 December 1919 he married Ethel K. Sinclair, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Sinclair of Spotswood, Victoria in the Methodist Church at Spotswood (3).


Nathaniel John Gould died in 1961 in Munro, Victoria.

(1) The 12th Battalion was raised within three weeks of the declaration of war in August 1914, and arrived in Egypt in early December. As the covering force for the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, they were the first ashore. Their commander was killed within hours of the landing. The battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the front line of the ANZAC position, and in August contributed two companies to the attack on Lone Pine, the only battalion in the brigade to do so. The 12th Battalion served at ANZAC until evacuation in December 1915 to Egypt. In March 1916, they sailed for the Western Front, and until 1918 took part there in bitter trench warfare. Their first major action in France was at Pozières in the Somme valley in July 1916. The battalion then fought at Ypres and in 1917 the battalion took part in the brief advance that followed the German Army’s retreat to the Hindenburg Line. For valorous actions during this advance two Victoria Crosses were awarded. The battalion subsequently participated in the Third Battle of Ypres. In March and April 1918 the battalion helped to stop the German spring offensive, and later participated in the great allied offensive of 1918, fighting near Amiens on 8 August 1918 and continuing operations until late September 1918. Soon after the Armistice the Australian Imperial Force began to return to Australia for demobilisation and discharge.
(2) London Gazette 21 September 1916 Issue 29758 page 9205. He had been recommended for the award for "Gallantry and devotion to duty as stretcher bearer at Pozieres" on 1 August 1916,.
(3) The report in the Naracoorte Herald dated 24 February 1920 reads: "Wedding Bells - Gould - Sinclair A wedding which caused a good deal of interest took place at the Methodist Church, Spotswood, Vic., on December 13, 1919, between Ethel K., only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Sinclair, Spotswood, and Nat J., only son of Mr and Mrs Nat Gould, Narracoorte. The church was beautifully decorated with choice flowers of blue and white (the bride-groom`s battalion colors) by the friends of the bride. The bride entered the church on the arm of her father, wearing a handsome cream georgette dress and a tulle veil and wreath, which was worn by her mother at her wedding, and carried a bouquet of white lillies and erica and maiden hair fern. Her bridesmaid (Miss M. McDuff) wore white organdi muslin, trimmed with lace and carried a shower bouquet of pink lillies, carnations, and fern. Pte. W. Pickering who served in the 12th Battalion with the bridegroom, supported him as best man. The wedding march was played by Mrs. Humphris, aunt of the bride. The wedding breakfast was held at the Centreway Coffee Palace, and the usual toasts were proposed. Many valuable and useful wedding presents were received. The happy couple left for Healsville, where the honeymoon was spent. Mrs.Sinclair, mother of the bride, wore a handsome black dress, with hat to match, and Mrs. Nat Gould, mother of the bridegroom, wore a black silk poplin, and black hat, relieved with white. Both carried posies of Blue and White."