Edwin Godfrey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Edwin Godfrey was the youngest and 1 of 7 children born to Fred and Ellen Godfrey, all born in Worksop. Edwin was born 1898, his siblings being Fred 1889, Elizabeth 1890, Florrie 1893, Sabine 1894, John 1896 and George 1897. The father, Fred, was a butcher with his own shop in Potter Street, Worksop. The place of the family home had changed by 1901 to 70 Portland Street. In 1902, the mother of the family died aged 42 and only five years later, her husband, Fred also died age 48. The family continued to live in the family house, at 70 Portland Street, in Worksop, and Fred junior (being the eldest) carried on with the butchers business. When the war started, Fred, Edwin and George all enlisted in the army.
The obituary of Pte Edwin Godfrey Worksop Guardian 10 January 1919 It is with sincere regret that we have to announce the death of another brave Worksop lad, Pte Edwin Godfrey, K.O.Y.L.I., who was killed in action in France on October 17th, three days after his 20th birthday. He was the youngest son of the late Mr Fred Godfrey, 70 Portland Street, Worksop, and is the second who has given his life for his country, his brother, Pte George Godfrey, Royal Scots, being killed in action in France in August last at the age of 21. The late Pte E Godfrey, enlisted on April 4th 1917 and after training at Roweley, went to Salonica in the following November and was drafted to France in July last. He was home on leave for fourteen days in September. His last letter home written to his sister, Miss E Godley, was by coincidence received on October 14th, his 20th birthday, and only three days prior to his falling in action. He was then quite well and wrote most cheerfully, and said he hoped to be home again soon, a wish which, alas, cannot be fulfilled. Previous to enlisting, he worked with his eldest brother, Pte Fred Godley, in the butchering business, the latter having just returned home after having been a prisoner of war in Germany for the past eight months. The deceased soldier was a well conducted lad, of a quiet disposition, and was much respected by his friends in his native town. Although the official news of Pte Godfrey’s death, was only received by his sister this week, she had in reply to an enquiry, received a letter from his Captain dated December 16th, in which he said:- “I regret to have to inform you that Pte Godfrey was killed on 17th October. He was buried in Two Tree Cemetery, which is situated just south of Le Catean.” Previous to receiving the burial report, a few days ago, he was regarded as missing. Much sympathy is expressed with his brother and sisters in their second bereavement.
CWGC additional information:- Son of the late Fred and Ellen Godfrey, of Worksop, Notts. His brother, George Godfrey of the Royal Scots also died in France on 11 Aug 1918, France. Edwin is buried in Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France. A headstone of remembrance, bearing the details of the deaths of Edwin and brother George, stands within the grave of their parents in Worksop Cemetery. Research by Colin Dannatt
