MY WAR DEAD
GODDEN, Reginald George - died 13th November 1917.
Reginald George Godden was born in Kilburn, London, in early 1897, being the eldest son of George Edward Godden, a clerk, and his wife who was born Mary Elizabeth Hornett.
At the time of the 1911 census, Reginald was living with his parents in Twickenham and was working as a butcher's assistant. It is not known when Reginald enlisted for the First World War as his service record has not survived but it is recorded that he joined the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery at Hampton Hill, Middlesex. He served as a bombadier and his medal card indicates that he saw his first action in France on 30th July 1915.
Reginald died of wounds on 13th November 1917, aged 20, and it is presumed that he was a belated victim of the 3rd Battle of Ypres. He is buried at the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium, a few miles from Ypres. Reginald was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. The Register of Soldiers' effects records that an initial sum was paid to his mother, Mary E, and a subsequent amount to his father, George E.
Reginald George GODDEN was my 2nd cousin, twice removed.