Alfred Edmund Godsal
Commander Alfred Edmund Godsal, D.S.O., R.N. (2 December, 1884 or 8 January, 1885 – 10 May, 1918) served in the Royal Navy.
He was the cousin of Lt. Wilfred Parke, who would die in a flying accident in 1912, aged 23.
Life & Career
The son of P. J[?]. Godsal was born in Sturminster, Marshall. His Service Records clearly give two separate dates for his birth, suggesting perhaps there was some fibbing.[1]
Godsal ranked ninth among 62 successful candidates in examinations for entry to the Britannia intake term of September 1899, with 2577 marks.[2]
Godsal was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 March, 1905. In late 1906 while Godsal was serving in the destroyer Foam, Captain Henderson noted that the lieutenant was "very tall."[3]
Godsal was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 March, 1913.[4]
Godsal was appointed to the battleship Centurion as she was still building, on 20 November, 1912. He served in her as torpedo officer through 11 February, 1918, being promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1917.[5]
In February, 1918, he was placed on the books of President, and was involved in the planning, preparation and execution for the Zeebrugge Raid, in which he was slightly wounded in April.[6]
He was eventually killed on the night of 9/10 May in Vindictive as he moved forward to get a better view as she was expended as part of the blocking operation of the Second Raid. He was buried at Ostend.[7]
See Also
Bibliography
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Maurice B. Leslie |
Captain of H.M.S. Brilliant c. Feb, 1918 – 24 Apr, 1918[8] |
Succeeded by Vessel Lost |
| Preceded by Alfred F. B. Carpenter |
Captain of H.M.S. Vindictive c. late Apr, 1918[Inference] – 10 May, 1918[9] |
Succeeded by Vessel Lost |
Footnotes
- ↑ Godsal Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/194. f. 99.
- ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence." The Times (London, England), Saturday, Aug 12, 1899; pg. 8; Issue 35906.
- ↑ Godsal Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/194. f. 99.
- ↑ Godsal Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/194. f. 99.
- ↑ Godsal Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/194. f. 99.
- ↑ Godsal Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/194. f. 99.
- ↑ Godsal Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/194. f. 99.
- ↑ Hepper. British Warship Losses in the Ironclad Era: 1860-1919. p. 129.
- ↑ Hepper. British Warship Losses in the Ironclad Era: 1860-1919. p. 132.
