Richard Harry Goold was born on 12 December, 1880 in Kyneton to James Crosbie Goold and Ann Martha Goold (nee Gutheridge). He completed Year 6 at State School before attending South Melboutne College to sub-matriculaton level. He then qualified as an engineer.  Richard signed up twice for service in WWW1.

He had served for 17 years in the Citizen Military Forces, serving in the 26th Signal Company, Army Engineers at the time of his first AIF enlistment on 19th August, 1914. He joined the Divisional Signal 1 as Lieutenant Captain. The unit embarked from Melbourne on board the HMAT A10 Karroo on 20 October, 1914. He was posted in Egypt, joining the MEF in Alexandria on 5 April, 1915. He proceeded to Gallipoli on 24 April, 1915. Over the next 4 months he moved between Alexandria and Gallipoli  on several occasions. In August, 1915 he was Mentioned in Despatches for gallant services at Gallipoli. On 8 October he embarked again from Alexanadria for Gallipoli, being promoted to Major and transferring to No. 3 Signal Company, 2nd Division.

In March, 1916 he joined the BEF, disembarking at Marseilles mid March. On 20 January, 1917 he was mentioned in despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the  Field.
 In March 1917 Goold moved to Administration HQ London, prior to embarking for Australia 3 days later on the HMAT Beltana from Plymouth.

On January 25th, 1918 Richard reenlisted as a Major in the Cavalry Divisional Signal Squadron 1, Rae India. His unit embarked from Sydney on  board the HMAT A18 Wiltshire on 2 February, 1918 and was stationed in Mesopotamia. H returned to Sydmey on 8 September, 1918 and his unit wasisbanded two weeks later.

On is return in 1917, Ricahrd marries Betty Bertha Mackey in Victoria. By 1924 he was living in Mildura with his wife, in 1931 in St Kilda, then by 1936 Richard was a foreman at Eildon Weir with the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. By 1949 he had retired and living in Frankston until hi death in 1957.