 He was educated in England at Newton College, Devon, and undertook medical training at St Mary's Hospital, London where he graduated with a Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal College of Physicians in 1891.Commissioned a lieutenant in the British Army Medical Department, Goodwin was stationed in India where he saw active service on the North-West Frontier from 1897 to 1898 and was awarded to the Distinguished Service Order.Goodwin served as Governor of Queensland from 13 July 1927 to 7 April 1932.