1878 Harold Goodlake born 23 May, baptized 14 June in Lambeth St. James the Apostle, London. Father William Roper Softlaw, mother Kate Mary (CoE Births & Bapts) (family tree: Kate Mary Goodlake)

1881 census Lambeth, London, 3 Wiltshire Road: William R Softlaw, 33, Clerk & Writer in The Times; Kate M., Wife, 32; Marianne E, 5, Scholar; Harold, Son, 2.

1891 census Lambeth, London, 3 Wiltshire Road: William R Softlaw, 43, Accountant; Kate M, 42; Harold G., 12, Scholar; Wilfred B., 6 m(onths)

1897 <Softlaw, Harold Goodlake – Matr. June 1897, C. Lond. Sch.> (Univ. of London Student Records)

1900. <B.A. 1900> (Cambridge Univ. Alumni)

1901 census Lambeth, London, 72 Tulse Hill: William R Softlaw, 53, Accountant to a Newspaper; Kate M, 52; Harold G., 22 (no occupation); Wilfred B., 10

1902 abt July, Harold Goodlake Softlaw, 24, occupation None, on board “Johannesburg” bound for Madeira and Cape Town (UK Outward passenger lists)

1904 Paymaster at Jumper’s Deep Mine, Cleveland, near Johannesburg South Africa (Forrest Family Tree)

1909 married 12 April in Johannesburg to Gladys Henrietta Harris (1884-1952) (Forrest Family Tree)

1910 birth 26 April of son Ralph Goodlake Softlaw (Forrest Family Tree)

1912 Harold died 24 March in Johannesburg, South Africa (Forrest Family Tree)

<A cheerful looking 18-years-old clerk, Ralph Goodlake Softlaw, Peckham, who smiled broadly round the court and attempted to joke with the jailer, was charged before the Hastings magistrates yesterday (Friday) with stealing between 2.30 and 7 p.m. on May 17th, a lady's silver watch, a gold necklace and pendant, three purses, and three pounds in money, to the total value of £33 10s., from James Henry Simpson, of 4, Edward-road, St. Leonards. He was further charged with stealing, at the same address, and between 8 p.m. on May 16th and 5.30 p.m. on May 17th, a leather purse containing £1 6s.., and two keys, altogether valued at 30s., the property of Alice Pegler.

The Chief Constable said prisoner had been arrested in London and brought to Hastings. On May 17th he went to 4, Edward-road, where he had stayed some years ago, and asked for lodgings. The lady he saw was called out of the room, leaving him alone in it, and when she returned he was gone. He apparently went upstairs to Mr. Simpson's flat. He had given the name of Scott, and the police had had considerable difficulty in tracing him. He admitted the offences.

Detective-Sergeant Knell said the previous evening he saw prisoner detained at Vine-street Police Station. When cautioned he replied, "I understand. Some of the articles I threw away; two I sold in London, and the purses I hid in a lavatory at Warrior-square Station, St. Leonards." When the charges were read over to him at Hastings he said, "I have done all that, but there was not that amount of money." That morning witness went to Warrior-square Station and searched the platform lavatories. In a water cistern he found three purses (produced) and also a box which had contained a "Waterman" fountain pen.