Born on 4th December 1889 at Poplar, son of Frank Godfrey (Banner Painter) and Martha Radford. 1911: A House Agent, with his family at “Laurestinus” George Lane, South Woodford. In 1916 he married Ann Winbolt.
When he enlisted, he was originally allocated to the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, before transferring to the K.O.S.B.
The Battle of the Lys lasted from 7-29 April 1918, as German Forces pursued their Spring Offensive in Flanders. There were a number of phases - or sub-battles - during this time, one of which was the Battle of Hazebrouck to the south of the British line during 12/15 April 1918. There was frantic fighting here to stem the German advance, and included in this phase was the Defence of Nieppe Forest, in which 2 KOSB were deployed to reinforce the British line.
Godfrey Radford survived all of the main strategic engagements at that time. However, he was Killed in Action with one other from the battalion on 17th April 1918 as lower level local hostilities continued in that area of Ypres. Neither he nor his colleague was recovered.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com
Reviews of the Battle of the Lys