Sidney Frank Godley

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Sidney Frank Godley VC (14 August 1889 — 29 June 1957) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the first private soldier to be awarded the VC in the First World War. ^[1]

He was 25 years old, and a private in the 4th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 23 August 1914, at Mons, Belgium, Private Godley took over a machine-gun on Nimy Bridge when lieutenant Maurice James Dease in charge of the section had been mortally wounded. Private Godley held the enemy from the bridge single-handed for two hours under very heavy fire and was wounded twice. His gallant action covered the retreat of his comrades, but he was eventually taken prisoner. His final act was to dismantle the gun and throw the pieces into the canal.

[edit] Memorials

East Grinstead Town Council mounted a Blue Plaque on their offices
Loughton Town Council placed a Blue Plaque at 164 Torrington Drive to commemorate its famous former resident
in 1976 a new housing estate in Bexley, Greater London, was named after him
In 1992 Tower Hamlets Council named a block of flats "Sidney Godley VC House".