Charles was born in Plumstead in around 1891 to Emily(nee Watson) and Phillip Godfrey. Phillip was a farm labourer.
In 1901 Charles lived with his parents and siblings, Amy, Thomas, Henry (who enlisted as Edward H), Rose and Frederick in Russell Cottage, Plumstead. Frederick and Henry also died in the Great War. His other siblings were Ada, Aaron and Annie.
The 1911 Census shows that Charles is a waggoner’s mate, working at Black Fen Farm, and living there as a boarder.
Charles enlisted on 1st July 1916 at Woolwich when he was 26 years. He was 5 foot 5 1/4 inches tall and employed by then as a carman and he gave his address as the family home – 21 Edison Road, Welling. He was posted the following day and in January 1917 was transferred from the 6th Essex Regiment to the Army Service Corps where he held the rank of driver – of horses – which was equivalent in rank to a private. Charles left Southampton on 1st December 1917 and arrived in Havre the following day. Four weeks before leaving for France Charles went absent from camp for two days. He was punished with being confined to barracks for 14 days. He was disciplined again before leaving for France for absence but it is difficult to read the records to know exactly when and how he was punished.
On 22nd May 1918, Charles was recorded as being wounded in action but it is not clear how serious this was. On 4th August the same year, he was kicked by a horse in the chest. Accidental injuries were investigated in case the wounds were found to be self inflicted. Evidence from a fellow driver reads:
“About 11am on 4.8.18 coming from watering horses one of Godfrey’s horses broke away from him. He managed to hold the remaining horses until half way to the (horse?) lines when the horse he was leading broke away also and kicked Dr. Godfrey in the chest. I went to his assistance and carried him to his billet.”
Charles suffered a ‘slight contusion of chest’. His Commanding Officer deemed the accident was not his fault and no disciplinary action was taken. He was back to duty six days later.
Charles continued to suffer with his health over the coming months. At the end of August he developed an ulcer on his left cornea and it appears he did not return to duty for almost 3 weeks. He also suffered a bout of diarrhea towards the end of the year.
It was early February 1919 however that Charles’ health declined rapidly when he developed influenzal broncho pneumonia. His last suffering was documented in his medical notes:
“Admitted 9ed Amb. 10.2.19 with 4 days history of pain and redness in R. eye.
13.2.19 eye better still a great deal of (?) infection83 General Hospital (83rd Dublin Hospital was a field hospital in Boulogne) R. corneal ulcer on admission. T99.2. Very cold and shivery. Troublesome cough. Vomiting. Says he felt cold in train where he was converted from a sitting to a lying case.
16.2.19 L. Side back and front course rhonchi (rattling, continuous and low-pitched breath sounds). R. base and lower lobe full of rales (crackles). Tongue coated colour dusky. Vomiting.
17.2.19 Still vomiting. A patch of tub. breathing.L. lower lobe.
19.2.19 Pulseness. Continuous vomiting. Entire lower R. lobe posteriorly choked with rales. L. base many rales.
Collapsed. Nil in abdomen. Eyes sunked.
Charles died on the 19th February 1919. His death certificate stated ‘that death is attributable to disease contracted whilst on Military Duties’.
His medical records were transferred (or ended up) at the Royal Herbert Hospital, which was in Woolwich.
Charles in buried in the Terlincthun British Cemetery. Wimille, France Grave Ref. XIII.D.37
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This story has been researched by volunteers. We have taken every effort to ensure its accuracy. If you are related to Charles William Godfrey, or if you have any further information, please do get in touch.