Godfrey Thomas Radford

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Godfrey died on 17 April 1918 aged 30. 

Godfrey was born at Poplar, London, in 1886, a son of Frank Godfrey and Martha Radford. In 1891 his family lived at 229 Brunswick Road, Bromley. The 1901 Census shows Godfrey with his grandmother, Mary Radford, at 1 Wade Street, Poplar. In 1911 his family lived at ‘Laurestinius’, George Lane, Woodford, and Godfrey was a house/estate agent. 

Godfrey enlisted at Flixton Park, Essex and joined the with the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, service number 3271. By November 1916 he was based at Ashington. On 25 November 1916 Godfrey married Ann Winbolt at Saint John the Baptist Church, Leytonstone. Ann lived at 4 Ashbridge Road. By 1921 Ann was living with Godfrey’s parents at 9 George Lane, South Woodford. Later she lived at 31 May Road, Lowestoft. 

Godfrey was transferred to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and posted to serve with the 6th Battalion in France. By February 1918 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion. On 8 February 1918 he was admitted to 15 Field Ambulance with inflammation of the connective tissue in his leg, he was then sent to 39 Casualty Clearing Station. Once recovered he returned to the 2nd Battalion. The 2nd Battalion were in Italy until April 1918 when the were in positions near the Forest of Nieppe. On 17 April their trenches were shelled and it seems that Godfrey was killed by shellfire.