Wilfred Godfrey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Wilfred Godfrey was born in 1892 at Blidworth and was the son of Arthur a farmer and Sarah Ann Godfrey née Brown of New Lane Cottage Blidworth. His father Arthur was born in 1853 at Blidworth, his mother Sarah Ann Brown was born in 1855 also at Blidworth, they were married in 1886 their marriage was recorded in the Mansfield registration district, they went on to have the following children, Arthur b1883, Wilfred b1892 and Kathleen b1894 all were born at Bldoworth. In the 1911 census the family are living at Blidworth and are shown as Arthur 58 yrs a farmer, he is living with his wife Sarah 28 yrs and their children, Arthur 28 yrs a soldier on home leave, Wilfred 19 yrs a farmers son working on his farm and Kathleen 17 yrs at home doing house work.
Private Wilfred Godfrey, enlisted on 14th June 1916 at Mansfield he initially served with service number 52087 in the 7th battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He landed in France on 4th October 1916 and was transferred to “X” Company, 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment, he was killed by shell fire as the battalion was coming out of the line on 25th February 1917. Having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.
A report was published in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times dated 23rd March 1917 :- “PRIVATE GODFREY, BLIDWORTH, KILLED. “Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. A. Godfrey, New-lane, Blidworth, in the great loss they have sustained through the death of their son, Private Wilfred Godfrey, who was killed in action on February 25th. The sad news was conveyed to them in the following letter:— “Dear sir, — l deeply regret to have to write and tell you that Private W. Godfrey, who, I believe is your son, was killed in action on February 25th. I enclose a few papers which I found in his pockets and also his cap badge. A letter-case, pocket knife, and one or two other small things will be forwarded through the regiment. Perhaps it will be a small consolation to you to know that he was instantly killed by a bursting shell, and suffered no pain. If there are any further particulars you wish to know I should be only too pleased to supply them, if it is in my power. — Yours truly, G. C. MANTON, [2] 2nd-Lieut. 2nd Hampshires.” “Private Godfrey, who was 25 years of age, was of a quiet and retiring disposition, and was a great favourite with all who knew him. He joined the army on June 14th, 1916, leaving his aged failing father to work alone on the farm. After a training at Rugeley Camp, Cannock Chase, and Marske Camp, Yorks. he was drafted to France on October 4th, where he was transferred from the South Staffords, to the 2nd Hampshires. He was an old scholar of the Church school, and was never absent from his usual place at church on Sunday. His only brother, A. Godfrey, is a sergeant in the Royal Garrison Artillery.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
