1938
(481)
(Manufacturer).
Son of Thomas John Gooding, born at Leicester on 2nd March, 1874, educated in Leicester and at Rugby Grammar School. Served his apprenticeship in Leicester with William Thompson, Wool Spinner, and before he was 20 years of age migrated to Chemnitz in Saxony, and undertook the management of the dyeing and finishing department of a very large hosiery factory in that City. After 4 years he returned home and remained for a few months in his native City, then going to Frankfort-on-Main, Germany, to represent a large Leicester Firm of leather shoe findings and machinery, where he resided for upwards of 20 years, afterwards founding his own business there. During the World War, 1914, 1918, he was interned as a civilian prisoner of war and at the end of 1917 returned to Leicester and again founded his own business under the title of "Adamant Supplies Ltd." In 1922 he was elected to the City Council for the Spinney Hill Ward. He was High Bailiff in 1935 and during that year was appointed a Justice of the Peace. He was elected to the Aldermanic Bench on the 9th November, 1937. His year of Office, as Lord Mayor, was a memorable one-War being declared on Germany on the 3rd September, 1939.
Alderman Gooding had the honour of receiving from His Majesty in June, 1937, the honour of "Member of the British Empire" in recognition of his public and political services.
He was Vice - Chairman of the Housing Committee and Chairman of the Town Planning Committee for upwards of 9 years, particularly during the time when there was a great shortage of houses and tremendous activities in this direction were in progress, and with the late Alderman H. W. Hallam carried through schemes for the housing of the people.
At present (1939) he is Chairman of the Transport Committee, which position he has held since 1932. During that period there was the great change over from electric tramcars to motor omnibuses.
Alderman Gooding is a staunch Churchman and Conservative. He married in 1895, Sarah Elizabeth Harvey, daughter of the late Mr. W. Harvey, and by whom he had issue, 2 sons and 2 daughters.
Residence, 1939-"The Poplars", Birstall, Leicester.
