Name
William Godfrey
10 May 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
23599
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
St Faith’s Church Memorial, Hexton
Pre War
William Godfrey was born on 10 May 1894, in Hexton, Hertfordshire, the son of Albert and Elizabeth Godfrey, and one of ten children. He was baptised on 12 August 1894 at St Faith's Church, Hexton.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Mortgrove Cottage, Hexton, Herts, where his father was working as a farm labourer. They remained there in 1911, at which time William was working as a farm labourer.
His parents later lived at New Cottages, Hexton, nr Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, serving with the 8th Battalion in France.
William was killed in action on 15 September 1916 during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette (Battle of the Somme) when the Battalion suffered severe casualties, some of those owing to an artillery barrage which was cut short and hit three companies which were drawn up for attack in shell holes.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. 100 other soldiers from the 8th Battalion who died on the same day are also named on the Memorial.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £2 19s 6d. His mother received a pension of 4 shillings a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Dunne, www.bedfordregiment.org.uk
