Sidney Frank Godley

It was August 14, 1889. Sidney Frank Godley was born a painter’s son in East Grinstead, England. Working at a shop selling hardware, he wanted something more. At the age of twenty, Sidney decided to join the British army to fight in the First World War. Sidney would eventually save his entire platoon, win the Victoria Cross, and suffer two major wounds. This solider is not well known, but extremely brave and worthy of credit.

Over the deafening sound of six divisions worth of incoming German small arms fire and two roaring British machine gun nests, Lieutenant Steele approached Private Sidney with determination and sorrow in his eyes. The platoon was being overrun and needed to retreat. But someone must stay and hold the bridge so the rest could survive. Steele knelt down next to Sidney and asked of him an act of heroism. Without hesitation Sidney ran to one of the machine gun nests and informed the gunner that everyone was retreating. The gunner stood up and Sidney jumped in his seat and began firing. He looked to his side and saw one of his comrades, Maurice Dease, manning the other nest. It was all on them to hold the position long enough for their comrades to escape. After several minutes of firing, Sidney took a glance over at Maurice to see his only ally had suffered a mortal wound.

Two hours later Sidney Godley had been wounded several times, but still managed to single handedly hold off the Germans long enough for his friends to get away. Now it was time to attempt his own escape. He mustered the courage, stood up, gripped the heavy machine gun, swung it at the ground repeatedly and threw it into the river so the enemy could not use the gun against the Allies later on. Godley’s own attempt at escape failed and he was captured. He received care in a German hospital and spent four hard years as a prisoner of war. The devout behavior Godley exhibited that day on the bridge is extremely inspirational to me and speaks to my heart. This man is my hero because he was willing to die for his comrades, country, and ultimately what he knew was right. From his beginnings as a man who seemed to be somewhat insignificant, to a Victoria Cross recipient, Private Sidney Godley is my hero.