Frank Godfrey
Frank Godfrey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 August 1889 Godalming, England |
| Died | 11 August 1944 (aged 54) Surrey, England |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Middlesex Regiment No. 20 Squadron RAF |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
Captain Frank Godfrey DFC (16 August 1889 – 11 August 1944) was an English World War I flying ace credited with 12 victories.[1] All his victories were achieved against German fighter aircraft.[2]
Early life and service[edit]
Frank Godfrey was born in 1889 in Godalming, Surrey. After schooling, he became an accountant and assistant secretary to his local alderman.[3] He held these positions from 1902—1914.[2]
Godfrey was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 18th Battalion (1st Public Works Pioneers) of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment) on 13 April 1915,[4] His ground service would be with the 19th Battalion of that Regiment.[2]
He gained promotion to captain on 17 March 1916.[5] He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps,[3] receiving a commission as an observer officer, with the rank of second lieutenant (honorary captain), on 27 April 1918.[6]
World War I aerial service[edit]
Godfrey was assigned to 20 Squadron on 3 March 1918 as an observer/gunner on Bristol F.2 Fighters. He manned the guns in the rear cockpit for Captain Thomas Percy Middleton when they scored double victories on 17 April, 3 May, and 8 May 1918.[3] Godfrey scored five more wins in June, and a final victory over a German Fokker D.VII on 29 July 1918. His final tally was ten German fighters destroyed, and two driven down out of control.[1][2] He was returned to Home Establishment in Britain on 22 September 1918.[2]
Godfrey was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in August 1918. His citation read:
- Temporary Captain Frank Godfrey (late Middlesex Regiment).
- This officer has taken part in many offensive patrols. During recent operations he has accounted for eight enemy aeroplanes, proving himself at all times a skilful and bold airman.[7]
Postwar[edit]
Captain Frank Godfrey was discharged from military service on 25 April 1919.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Frank Godfrey". The Aerodrome. 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f Franks, et al, p. 20.
- ^ a b c Guttman, p. 50.
- ^ "No. 29155". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 May 1915. p. 4392.
- ^ "No. 29540". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 April 1916. p. 3770.
- ^ "No. 30735". The London Gazette. 7 June 1918. p. 6802.
- ^ "No. 30827". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 August 1918. p. 9200.
Bibliography[edit]
- Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell; Alegi, Gregory. Above the War Fronts: the British Two-seater Bomber Pilot and Observer Aces, the British Two-seater Fighter Observer Aces, and the Belgian, Italian, Austro-Hungarian and Russian Fighter Aces, 1914-1918: Volume 4 of Fighting Airmen of WWI Series: Volume 4 of Air Aces of WWI. Grub Street, 1997. ISBN 1898697566, 978189869756.
- Guttman, Jon (2007). Bristol F2 Fighter Aces of World War I: Volume 79 of Aircraft of the Aces. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84603-201-1.