Sidney Frank Godley

Sidney Frank Godley VC (14 August 1889 — 29 June 1957) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the first private soldier to be awarded the VC in the First World War. cite web|title=National Archives|work=Sidney Frank Godley|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals-godley.asp|accessdate=2008-03-18]

He was 25 years old, and a private in the 4th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On August 23, 1914, at Mons, Belgium, Nimy Bridge, Maurice James Dease and Sidney Godley offered to defend the Nimy Bridge while the rest of the British and French armies retreated for a better defence in inland France. When Lieutenant Dease had been mortally wounded and killed. Private Godley held the bridge single-handed for two hours under very heavy fire and was wounded twice. Shrapnel entered his back when an explosion near him went off, and he was shot in the head. Despite the pain, he carried on his duty of defending his countrymen while they escaped. His gallant action covered the retreat of his comrades, but he was eventually taken prisoner. His final act was to dismantle the gun and throw the pieces into the canal. He attempted to crawl to safety, but advancing German soldiers caught him and took him to a prisoner of war camp. His wounds were treated, but he remained in camp until the Armistice. Until he was released, everyone believed he was killed. When he was returned to England, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Memorials

* East Grinstead Town Council mounted a Blue Plaque on their offices
* Loughton Town Council placed a Blue Plaque at 164 Torrington Drive to commemorate its famous former resident
* in 1976 a new housing estate in Bexley, Greater London, was named after him
* In 1992 Tower Hamlets Council named a block of flats "Sidney Godley VC House".

References

*LondonGazette|issue=28985|startpage=9957|date=24 November 1914|accessdate=2008-05-08 Original citation

External links

* [http://www.eastgrinstead.gov.uk/news/article.php?id=146 East Grinstead Council]