4219, Sergeant, Albert Ernest (Fred) GODFREY
Aged 37
medal card not found
2nd/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment
Died of Illness on Sunday 6th June 1915
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Despite the memorial having "Fred" Godfrey, this is the only man found that seems to fit Albert Ernest GODFREY was born in London (Islington Q4-1877 1B:341) son of Albert and Ellen Maria GODFREY (née SMITH) 1881 census...Aged 3, he was at Albion Road, Luton with his father Albert GODFREY [26] mantle cutter born Dunstable; his mother Ellen Maria [26] straw hat finisher, born Bedford and grandmother Ann GODFREY [48] straw hat finisher born Buckinghamshire. 1891 census...Aged 13, a scholar, he was at Lea Road, Luton with his parents. 1901 census...Aged 23, tool maker/engineer, he was at 112 Lea Road, Luton with his parents and sister Amy [22] draper's assistant born Highbury, London. 1911 census...Aged 33, an engineering machinist, he was at 110 Lea Road, Luton with his parents. The fact that Albert is named on the Newmarket memorial seems to be due to his marriage in Newmarket to Maud KING (b. 14-12-1885) in Q1-1915. Sgt GODFREY died in No.1 Eastern Hospital, Burrells Walk, Cambridge and whose wife Maud gave a Newmarket address. He died of intestinal obstruction and peritonitis. Late of 110 Lea Road, Luton, he is buried in the graveyard of St Mary's, Crawley Green Road, Luton. Sergeant Godfrey is recorded by "Soldiers Died" and CWGC and there is a pension card, but no medal index card has been found, nor his "Soldier's Personal Effects" entry Newmarket Journal of 12th June 1915 had:- DEATH OF SERGT. GODFREY- "Sergt. Albert Ernest Godfrey, of the 2/5th Bedford regiment, passed away on Monday last at Addenbrookes Hosptial. Until about a fortnight previous to his death he was, apparently, in robust health. In consequence of an internal injury he had then to be taken to the hospital, where he underwent an operation. Sgt Godfrey, whose age was about 35 years, was a native of Luton,and in civil life was by calling an engineer. He was married on April 24th last, at All Saints' Church, Newmarket, to Miss Maud King, only daughter of Mr. Humphrey King, builder, of Prospect House, Newmarket; and general sympathy will be felt for Mrs.Godfrey in her bereavement after only six weeks of married life. The interment took place at Luton yesterday(Thursday)." from www.bedfordregiment.org.uk we have : "The 5th (Reserve) battalion was initially formed at Bedford in September 1914, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel, the Hon. Victor Russell, O.B.E. Their function was to act as the second line battalion of the Territorial element of the regiment, training all A1 medical category soldiers in readiness for providing replacement drafts to the front line battalion. At that time, the 5th battalion's soldiers who were over or under service age, who did not accept overseas service, or were unfit for active service formed the nucleus of the Reserve battalion, which was expanded to full strength with new recruits that year. Until the arrival of their first khaki uniforms in December 1914, the battalion trained in a variety of clothes, determined by whatever the recruits could lay their hands on. In January 1915 they were moved to Newmarket and re-designated as the 2nd/5th battalion becoming part of 207th Brigade in the 69th (2nd East Anglian) Division. Here they received Japanese pattern rifles and were able to start serious weapons training, as much of their training had been spent strengthening the men to that point." The absence of a medal index card was due to this this battalion never having entered an active war zone. In fact he was over age as a Territorial for overseas service. Given Sgt Godfrey's age it is more than likely he was being used as an instructor. "Soldiers Died" has him born and resident in Luton. |
Fred Godfrey is buried in Luton Church Burial Ground, grave Y:45
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