Warrant Officer James Alfred GODFREY - DCM & MM (1881-1917).
Service # 6/1031; Warrant Officer, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 1st Battalion, Main Body, New Zealand Expeditionary Forces (NZEF).
Born 17 January 1881 - at Picton, Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.
James was the son of Charles & Bridget Godfrey - of Picton.
Prior to enlistment for war service James Godfrey was a Railway Shunter - employed by the New Zealand Railways - at Picton.
James Godfrey enlisted for war service - on 29 August 1914 - at Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand. He was 33 years of age.
At enlistment James Godfrey was posted as a Private with the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, Main Body, NZEF.
On 15 October 1914 Private Godfrey left New Zealand for overseas war service - with the Main Body NZEF - aboard HMNZ T11 "Athenic" from Port of Wellington, North Island, New Zealand.
Private Godfrey disembarked from his transport ship from New Zealand - on 4 December 1914 - at Alexandria, Egypt.
On 12 April 1915 Private Godfrey embarked from Alexandria, Egypt for active war service - at Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey.
Private Godfrey served at Gallipoli until he was wounded in action - on 31 May 1915 - at Gallipoli. He was medically evacuated, by sea, aboard a HM hospital ship and admitted to hospital on 7 June 1915 - at Alexandria, Egypt.
Private Godfrey re-joined his unit - at Gallipoli Peninsula - on 10 August 1915 and he served there until he was evacuated with all the ANZAC (Australian & New Zealand Army Corps) troops - from Gallipoli Peninsula - in late December 1915.
Returning to Egypt, from war service at Gallipoli, Private Godfrey was promoted to the rank of Corporal - on 5 March 1916 - at Egypt.
On 6 April 1916 Corporal Godfrey left Egypt for active war service - at France & Belgium.
Corporal Godfrey served at France and Belgium - and he was twice wounded in action. On 24 June 1916 he was wounded in action and medically evacuated to England; and on 8 April 1917 he was, again, wounded in action - and was admitted to the No 35 General Hospital, at Etaples, France.
On 25 December 1916 Corporal Godfrey was promoted to the rank of Sergeant - at France.
Sergeant Godfrey was awarded the 'Military Medal' - on 27 June 1917 - for "Acts of Gallantry in the Field" (London Gazette; 16 August 1917; p8430).
Sergeant Godfrey would also be awarded the DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) - for "Conspicuous Gallantry and Devotion to Duty" (London Gazette: 28 March 1918; p3893).
For the Citations for his DCM & MM refer to Story 2 (this profile).
Sergeant James Godfrey was promoted again - on 1 July 1917 - to the rank of Warrant Officer - in the field, at Belgium.
Warrant Officer James A. Godfrey continued to serve at France & Belgium - until he was wounded in action, in the field at Belgium - on 24 December 1917
Two days later - on 26 December 1917 - Warrant Officer James A. Godfrey died of wounds - received in action at Belgium - at the 10th Casualty Clearing Station, in the field, at Belgium. He was 37 years of age.
Warrant Officer James A. Godfrey is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West Vlaanderen, Belgium (Grave ref: XXV11.CC.3).
Warrant Officer James A. Godfrey is also remembered at his hometown in New Zealand - on the Picton & Marlborough Sounds War Memorial (1914-1918) - at Picton, Marlborough Region, South Island, New Zealand.
For Warrant Officer James A. Godfrey's full military record refer to New Zealand Online Cenotaph: www.aucklandmuseum.com
Photo Credit: Warrant Officer James A. Godfrey : Auckland War Memorial Museum (Auckland, New Zealand).
Photo Credit: Picton War Memorial : Ministry of Culture & Heritage; New Zealand Government.
Jenifer Everett