Charles Theodore Godward

Rank: Private

Regiment: 10th Battalion (Royal East Kent & West Kent Yeomanry), The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Parents: Mr Charles & Mrs M. E. Godward

Parent’s Address: Monson Colonade, Tunbridge Wells

Other Info: Died on 2nd September 1918. Buried at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, grave reference: III. N. 1.

Charles enlisted aged 19 and was posted to the “C” Squadron of the 1/1st West Kent Yeomanry Regiment. During the summer of 1915 the Brigade was dismounted for overseas service and in September 1915 the battalion boarded the RMS Olympic for Gallipoli. The worst of the fighting had already taken place so they did not bear the brunt of the campaign. However, in November 1915 Charles Godward was wounded and rejoined his unit in Egypt the following month. The Buffs spent about a year in Egypt, focusing on the Suez Canal defences and then as part of the Western Frontier Force. The regiments were then reorganised and Charles Godward was transferred to the 10th Battalion East Kent Regiment.

The new Battalion formed part of Allenby’s successful Palestine offensive against the Turkish Army and took part in the invasion of Palestine in 1917 and 1918. The battalion also played a leading role in the capture and defence of Jerusalem. The heavy casualties on the Western Front forced the withdrawal of infantry divisions from other theatres of war, so in April 1918 the Buffs embarked for Alexandria, landing in Marseilles in May. The Buffs spent the following three months training in the methods of warfare on the Western Front, moving around places which were close together, south of the town of Hazebrouk. Finally, they were moved to La Perriere and the Buffs were warned that at any moment the Battalion would need to move into action.

In August they advanced on Calonne and an attempt to advance further failed. Starting in September 1918, as part of the Fourth Army, the Buffs took part in the Hundred Days Offensive – a final push against German positions on the Western Front. The first attack took place on September 2nd, but the Buffs were in reserve in a valley south-west of Moislains, where they were heavily shelled with gas and high explosives all day, during which two soldiers were killed. One of them was Charles Godward – barely two months before the end of the war. He was buried at Perrone Communal Cemetery Extension. Additional information provided by Mary Godward.

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