William Godfrey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William was born in Arnold in 1883, the son of Henry and Hannah Godfrey, who lived at 8 High Street Ave, Arnold. In the 1911 Census he is shown as being 28 yrs of age born in Arnold and his occupation is a bricklayers labourer. He is living with his parents, Henry born 1857 a framework knitter and Hannah also born 1857, they have been married for 34 yrs and there are 3 sisters to William also shown. He became an insurance salesman and a part time postman. He was a member of the Beacon Baptist Church
In March 1915 he enlisted at Hucknall into the 35th Heavy Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery. In 1917 he suffered from gassing and was returned home but after recovering went back to France. On the 21st April 1918 , German shelling of the rear areas on the Somme caught the 35th Heavy Battery with its full might and as a result several men were killed and many injured. The guns however were saved and withdrawn to fire again as the Allies counter-attacked and pushed forward to the end of the war in November. Unfortunately William was one of those killed at this time
He is buried in Louvencourt Military Cemetery , Somme, France
