Charles Goodwin was born in Easton, Norfolk about 1882. He was son of Charles and Sarah Goodwin.

By the 1911 census Charles was living in Heighington Street, Aycliffe, working as a farm cattle man. He had married Edith Iceton, born in Darlington.

In the Absent Voters' List of October 1918 Charles' address is Heighington Street, Aycliffe. Charles was Private 250501, 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry.