Fred Godfrey

The UK Soldiers Died in the Great War record shows that Fred was born in Sturton le Steeple and enlisted at Wath upon Dearne. He served with the 10th battalion The Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), service number of 15693. The Medal Roll Index Card shows that he served on the Western Front from 13th July 1915. He was dead within a month, shot in the head by a sniper on 13th August 1915 and dying while being evacuated from the trenches to a medical station. He was buried in Voormezeele Enclose Cemetery France (grave ref. X.A.24).

Retford Times, 27 August 1915: Private F Godfrey News was received on Thursday morning last that Pte F Godfrey had been killed at the front. Private Godfrey, so far as is known, is the first Sturton man to fall in the service of his country during this war. He enlisted a month ago and had only been at the front a month when he fell a victim to a sniper. At the time of enlisting he was engaged at Wath and had been for a long time a consistent member of the Salvation Army. Two other brothers – Private G Godfrey (who served all through the Boer War) and Private E Godfrey, were also formerly in the army. References to the sad event were made by the Vicar in both services on Sunday and the Dead March was played as a concluding voluntary at the evening service. The following letter was received by a sister from a Captain of his Company:- “Somewhere in Belgium in the firing line 7/8/15, Dear Madam, Pte Godfrey F, No., 15893, of 12 Platoon ‘C’ Co. 10th West Yorks, died today after two hours unconsciousness from a gunshot wound received in the right temple from a sniper. I don’t know how to break this terrible news to you of your poor brother’s death. I was with his from the moment he was knocked down and never recovered consciousness. The Medical Officer arrived very quickly and we tried to move Godfrey down from the firing line to medical station but he died in the communication trench on the way. His was a painless death. Private Godfrey was a God fearing quiet man whom everyone respected and I was glad to have him in my company. Of his work I know little as for some time he was with the transport but he showed every promise of being an excellent soldier, and all the company will mourn his loss. He was liked by everyone. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement and when she is strong enough to bear it, convey it to his aged mother. I fear the blow for her will be awful. I will see that any private letters or belongings of Godfrey’s are returned to you – in all sympathy, believe me, yours truly, W L Henderson, Captain.”. A brother also received a communication written by Private F J Seymour, giving the same account of the sad event and saying on behalf of himself and his comrades, “It may comfort his relations to know that he was a cheery fellow and very popular with his comrades and led a Christian life. You may rest assured that he will receive a decent burial; also that he was highly esteemed by his comrades. We tender our deepest sympathy with you and his relations in your great bereavement”. The Medal Roll Index Card shows that an Amy Willgoose of 19 Ardmore Road, off Sherland Lane, Attercliffe, Sheffield, applied for his medals in September 1921.