GODFREY, Walter Cyril
| Service Numbers: | 61, N120668, NX114728 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 December 1914, Holsworthy, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 14 Motor Regiment |
| Born: | Bega, New South Wales, 4 May 1895 |
| Home Town: | Candelo, Bega Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Sydney Technical College and Hawkesbury Agricultural College |
| Occupation: | Butter maker/Auctioneer |
| Died: | Natural causes, Sydney, New South Wales, 11 May 1958, aged 63 years |
| Cemetery: |
Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens and Crematorium, NSW South-West Terrace Wall 29 |
| Memorials: | Candelo Public School Roll of Honour, Kameruka Estate Pictorial Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Dec 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 61, Holsworthy, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 13 Jun 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Corporal, 61, 12th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Suevic, Sydney | |
| 13 Jun 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 61, 12th Light Horse Regiment, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Suevic embarkation_ship_number: A29 public_note: '' | |
| 8 Feb 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 24th Infantry Battalion | |
| 4 Aug 1916: | Honoured Military Cross, Battle for Pozières | |
| 30 Oct 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 24th Infantry Battalion | |
| 29 Jun 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 24th Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 23 May 1941: | Enlisted Lieutenant, N120668, Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Major, NX114728 | |
| 24 Aug 1945: | Discharged Major, NX114728, 14 Motor Regiment |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Awarded the Military Cross;
"For conspicuous gallantry in action. He carried out a fine reconnaissance in "No Man's Land" and did fine work with his mortar detachment. Later he took command of an infantry party. Though seriously wounded he stuck to his post till he collapsed."
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"Fought till he Collapsed.
The Kameruka hero, Lieut. Godfrey, returned to Sydney on Friday. The following is clipped from the "Daily Telegraph":
"Although seriously wounded, he fought till he collapsed", runs the brigade order conferring the Military Cross upon Lieutenant Walter Cyril Godfrey (of the 6th Brigade, Light Trench Mortar Battery, 24th Battalion). The order in detail says of the exploit:—
"For good work in reconnoitring No-man's Land on the nights of the 3rd and 4th of August, 1916, and for gallant conduct in the attack of 4th August, 1916, in command of a mortar. After expending his ammuntion, he took command of an infantry party (owing to the loss of its officers), and did excellent work in consolidating the captured position. Although wounded seriously, he continued to work until he collapsed." Lieutenant Godfrey, who comes from Kameruka, left with the 12th Light Horse, and formed portion of the "Lost Horse" Brigade at Gallipoli, and was there till the evacuation, Then he went to France, and was in the big "stunt" at Pozieres. There he was wounded in the head. "Until I went through it," he said, "I had no idea that artillery fire could be so terrific. We seemed to be surrounded by big guns belching fire and death. Our superiority in both guns and aeroplanes was most marked. It is quite a joy to watch our airmen. There is not one of them you wouldn't raise your hat to. I have also a tribute to pay to our Australian troops. In a charge the Australian soldier is a person to marvel at, and his discipline is as good as that of any soldier in the field." - from the Bega Budget 18 Apr 1917 (nla.gov.au)
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