Interestingly, John Nance Gooch the Elder was a member of the Worlingworth Loyal Volunteer Corps, described briefly on our website...
http://www.wlhg.org/?pagename=05.People-John+Henniker-MajorFrom June 1798 until April 30th 1802, Capt. John Henniker-Major commanded a body of infantry, ninety in number, raised for the defence of the parish of Worlingworth, and of the eight adjoining parishes, Southolt, Athelington, Horham, Wilby, Brundish, Tannington, Saxtead and Bedfield. This body of infantry, drawn from the local inhabitants, was called the "Loyal Worlingworth Volunteers" and was prepared to defend their district in the event of invasion by the French.
On the return of peace, he presented his officers and men with a silver medal, with the representation of Worlingworth Church and Hall on one side, and, on the reverse, one heart surrounded by nine hands, expressive of the number of parishes, united in a Gordian knot, with appropriate embellishments. The colours were presented by the Honourable Mrs. Henniker-Major, to the corps in 1798 and were placed in the parish church of Worlingworth.
Gooch is recorded in the list of ninety men as a 'serjeant'. He died in 1849 and a sale of his live and dead stock was held at Brundish Hall on 30h April of that year. A nice piece of history in your family.
