Enlisting with his brother Ernest, Herman James Good joined with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the summer of 1915. Initially serving with the 2nd Pioneer Battalion, the two brothers found themselves transferred to the 13th “Black Watch” after arriving in France. After spending a year together on the front lines, Ernest Good was killed in action near Pozieres Wood, leaving his brother to continue alone on the Western Front.

Good and the 13th Battalion saw action at most notable Canadian battles. The Somme, Vimy, and Passchendaele were but a few battles, and though Herman Good escaped with his life, he did not go unscathed. A buttocks wound in 1916 had Good in the hospital for 2 months, and a case of shell shock removed him from the lines for another few months.

Good was awarded his Victoria Cross for actions undertaken at Amiens on August 8th – the opening day of the Hundred Day’s Campaign. His actions not only earned him the Victoria Cross, but a promotion to Lance Corporal as well. Good would carry on until the end of the war, travelling home after gaining glory, but losing a brother. As No Stone Left Alone prepares to commemorate the centennial year of the Armistice, we commemorate those who fought and died to secure it.

“For most conspicuous bravery and leading when in attack his company was held up by heavy fire from three machine guns, which were seriously delaying the advance. Realising the gravity of the situation, this N.C.O. dashed forward alone, killing several of the garrison and capturing the remainder. Later on Cpl. Good, while alone, encountered a battery of 5.9-inch guns, which were in action at the time. Collecting three men of his section, he charged the battery under point-blank fire and captured the entire crews of three guns.”