Percy Godfrey

 

 

Sep 18, 1894

Born in Peterborough, Ontario to Archie Allan and Phoebe Ann (nee Embury) Godfrey

 

Nov 9, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59374 (temporary number 638)

Ø      Next of kin given as Archie Godfrey, father, Tweed, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Telephone Lineman

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Wesleyan

Ø      Assigned to “E” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “C” Company 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

 

Jan 30, 1915

Forfeited 2 days pay

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Jun 24, 1915

Sentenced to 3 days detention for being AWL (Absent Without Leave) and forfeited 2 days pay for his absence

 

Aug 28, 1915

His brother Morra Lyman Godfrey attested into the 59th Battalion

 

Sep 8, 1915

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Oct 26, 1915

Proceeded on a course at the Trench Warfare School

 

Nov 20, 1915

Rejoined the battalion from school

 

Mar 5, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal with pay to replace L/Cpl C. Dagnall 59233, who had been wounded and invalided to England

 

Apr 22, 1916

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads Influenza.  He was transferred the same day to the DRS (Divisional Rest Station) at the No. 6 CFA

 

Apr 23, 1916

Transferred to the No. 7 General Hospital in Le Treport and the diagnosis was changed to read German Measles

 

May 3, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 Stationary Hospital in Arques, St Omer

 

May 12, 1916

Promoted to the rank of Corporal to replace Cpl J. Donald 59266, who had been invalided to England

 

May 15, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Aug 21, 1916

Appointed to rank of Lance Sergeant to replace L/Sgt T.S. Dark 59236 who had been promoted

 

Sep 16, 1916

During the fighting near the sugar refinery at Courcellete, Sergeant Godfrey received a bullet wound to his left hand that passed right through and caused severe damage.  He was evacuated to the field ambulance for first aid and then transferred to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne

 

Sep 17, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel

On arrival in England was admitted to the No. 3 Northern General Hospital in Sheffield 

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Oct 14, 1916

His brother Morra Lyman Godfrey joined the 21st Battalion in Divion

 

Nov 11, 1916

Transferred to the Hillingdon House CCH (Canadian Convalescent Hospital) in Uxbridge

 

Nov 25, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC at Hastings

 

Nov 29, 1916

Transferred to the CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) for Physical Therapy

 

Mar 10, 1917

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Apr 26, 1917

Discharged from St. Leonard’s Hospital and posted to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Jun 15, 1917

Transferred to the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 16, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 21 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Jun 20, 1917

Admitted to the No. 20 General Hospital in Dannes Camiers with a diagnosis that reads Scabies

 

Jun 25, 1917

Discharged to duty at the CIBD camp in Etaples

 

Jul 3, 1917

Left the CIBD and joined the 2nd Entrenching Battalion in Hersin

 

Aug 15, 1917

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant to replace Sgt F.J. Stillman MM, 59921 who had been killed in action

 

Aug 21, 1917

Left the entrenching battalion and rejoined the 21st Battalion in billets in Villers au Bois

 

Nov 3, 1917

While the battalion was moving into the Passchendaele front, the Germans opened up with an artillery barrage and Sergeant Percy Godfrey was mortally wounded and died at the advanced dressing station set up in a captured German Pill Box after being treated by an Australian Medical Officer.  He was buried in the Tyne Cot British Cemetery.  In 1921 while the cemetery was being reorganized, his remains were exhumed from the original location and reburied in the current Plot 1, Row C, Grave 37.

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to his sister, Miss A. Godfrey, Box 107 Tweed, Ontario 

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Mr. Archie Godfrey, at the same address 

The Memorial Cross was sent to his mother, Mrs. Archie Godfrey, at the same address



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