Frederick Godfrey (1900–1964)

Private

King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 5/222287 3rd (Reserve) Battalion

New Zealand newspaper advert 1936

Fredericj Godfrey

Biography
Frederick was born May 27th, 1900 the son of Cyril and Jane Godfrey. His father was a nurseryman, florist, fruiterer and market gardener of Whatstandwell. Frederick worked for him. He was posted in 1919, but was found to be medically unfit for service suffering chest pains and palpitations. Rheumatism was also discovered, so he was discharged as being physically unfit in April 1919.

After the war he had a business selling hair products under the trade name Renair – restorer, pomades, tonics, dandruff lotion and shampoos. He was styled as a world-famous English hair specialist and advertised internationally. He was based at the Fountain Baths in Matlock Bath.

Photo courtesyMark Haslam

Fred Godrey hair colouring bottle

One of Frederick Godfrey's hair products

He married Ellen Spendlove in 1924 and they immigrated to Canada during the 1930s . He later settled in the USA at Rockport, Massachusetts.

Photos courtesy Stuart Godfrey

Frederick Godfrey with daughter Heather

Fred Godfrey (1900-1964), pictured with his daughter, Heather Doreen Godfrey (1927-1970), circa early 1930s.

Cyril Godfrey photograph

Fred Godfrey's father, Cyril Ben Godfrey (1870-1947)
Pictured in a greenhouse at the family's nursery at Whatstandwell, circa 1930s.

Godfrey family at Whatstandwell

Fred Godfrey's mother, Jane Elizabeth Godfrey (née Allsop) (1875-1946), with her son, John Fairthorne Godfrey
Pictured at the family's nursery at Hindersitch Lane, Whatstandwell.
Jane's younger brother, John Thomas Allsop, served in the army during the First World War and is listed on the Roll of Honour at Crich.

Army Pension Record
Frederick Godfrey date of birth was 27/06/00; he was single, a market gardener from Whatstandwell. His next-of-kin was his mother of "The Nurseries" Whatstandwell.
26/05/18 Deemed to have enlisted
31/05/18 Called up for service
27/06/18 Posted
23/02/19 Posted 3rd Battalion KOYLI
22/04/19 Discharged being no longer physically fit for War duties under Para 392 (xvi) K.R. When in training has complained about loss of breath and pains across the chest; has palpitations; had rheumatism; 10% disability.

Silver War Badge
5/222287 Pte Godfrey F. 3rd Bn. Badge B252407, enlisted 28.6.18 discharged 23.4.19 aged 18, not served overseas.

Newspaper report

Gloucester Daily Times, July 11, 1964 (Page 10)
Deaths Frederick Godfrey
Rockport – Frederick Godfrey, 64 of 38 Marmion Way, operator of the Canan Sale Co. of Rockport, died yesterday morning at the Addison Gilbert Hospital.
He was born in England on May 27, 1900, son of Cyril and Jane (Allsop) Godfrey.
Surviving are his wife, Ellen (Spendlove), a daughter, Miss Heather Dorcas Godfrey, and a brother, John Godfrey and a sister, Miss Dorothy Godfrey, both of England.
The funeral will be held from St Mary’s Episcopal Church, Rockport, Monday at 10 am. At the request of the family there will be no visiting hours. Please omit flowers. Contributions may be made to the Addison Gilbert Hospital.

F Godfrey is remembered on the Alderwasley Roll of Honour in the Church. Possibly Frederick.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Ripley

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Cyril B Godfrey Head 31 Florist & fruiterer Gloucester
Jane E Godfrey wife 25   Whatstandwell
Fred Godfrey son 10 mo   Ripley

RG13 piece 3230 folio 63 page 51

1911: Whatstandwell

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Cyril Ben Godfrey Head 41 Nurseryman & florist Berkshire
Jane Elizabeth Godfrey wife 36   Whatstandwell
Frederick Godfrey son 10   Whatstandwell
Cyril Edward Godfrey son 8   Whatstandwell
Dorothy Mary Godfrey daughter 5   Whatstandwell
John Fairthorn Godfrey son 3   Whatstandwell

RG14PN20985 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED14 SN44