William Edward Godley
He was working as a farm labourer at the age 17. and was a career soldier
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Edward Godley was born in December 1883, the eldest of 5 children, all born at Finningley, to Edward a farmer and Maria Godley néé Pantry of Finningly
His father Edward was born in 1852 at Finningley, his mother Maria Pantry was born in 1860 at Haxey, Lincolnshire, they were married on 13th January 1880 at Haxey, Lincolnshire, they went on to have 12 children, sadly 7 were to die in infancy or early childhood.
In the 1911 census his parents are living at Finningley, Edward 59 yrs is a farmer he is living with his wife Maria 51 yrs, none of their children are with them at this time.
William Edward Godley has left home and has joined the army, he is living at Dettinger barracks Farnborough, Hampshire, he is 27 yrs married and is a tailer he is with his battalion 2nd battalion Yorks and Lancaster Regiment.
William Edward Godley married Florence Carver (born 17th June 1886) in 1907 at Pontefract, they had 4 children, Irene born 14th January 1909, Ethel Mary born 12th May 1910 and twins Florence and William born 18th September 1911 thye lived at Pearsons Cottages, Finningly, Doncaster.
Commencing 10th May 1918 his widow was awarded a pension of 23 shillings and 6 pence a week.
When William was 18 ½ years old he went to Pontefract, was attested on the 11th March 1902 to join the Yorks and Lancs Regiment. His medical followed 3 days later. By 1905 he had been promoted to Cpl and on the 19 Oct 1907 he married Florence Carver at Pontefract register Office. In 1911 he was living in the Yorks and Lancs barracks at Dettingen, Blackdown, Farborough, Hants. Their first child they named June, who was born 14/1/1909 and was baptised at Finningley 7/2/1909. Promotion to L/Sgt followed in 1910 about the time their second daughter Ethel Mary, was born on 12 May at Blackdown, Farnborough. It was around this time that William applied to extend his service in the army to complete 21 years. The following year must have seen the couple in Ireland, as the birth of twins occurred whilst in Limerick on 18 Sept 1911 and were baptised there 3 weeks later. The twins, a boy and a girl, were named after the parents, William and Florence. Once again, William gained a promotion to Sgt just a week before the births. At the outbreak of the war, the 2nd Bn of the Yorks and Lancs were in Limerick , They were sent to France and landed at St Nazaire on the 9th Sept. They were involved in the Battle of Armentieres and he probably died in this battle, going by his date of death 30th October 1914, his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium
Research by Colin Dannatt and additional research and infomation Peter Gillings
Photo of William Edward Godley
Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium