Personal Details
Born at Crossways Cottage, Portskewett in 1916;
Son of William James and Eliza Ann Munday of Caldicot.
Private 5192193 Somerset Light Infantry 4th Btn.(Prince Albert's)
Died: 28th/29th June, 1944, aged 28, at the Battle of Caen
Buried at St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Reference X A 7.
More Background
Godfrey was one of eight brothers and sisters. His sister Christabel was engaged to Raymond Odam. Two brothers also served in the war. His brother Clifford was in the Desert War and survived. His brother Bill worked on the farm in Chepstow and so was exempt. His brother Trevor was a Bevan boy.
Godfrey used to go with one of his sisters to the woods near Mount Ballam to get wood for the fire because the family could not afford coal.
Godfrey met his wife Olga Marian Munday when he went to work at the Engineering Works, Dursley, Gloucestershire. He lived in Wotton-under-Edge. No-one knows what happened to Olga after the war.
Godfrey enlisted (? date). The Regiment was in Ireland where Godfrey was a chauffeur to an officer. Then they were recalled back to England for preparations for D-Day. The Regiment fought their way from the beaches of Normandy to the River Elbe. Godfrey was killed during the Battle of Cairn when the SS tanks which had been held in reserve by Hitler were deployed.
When his mother got the telegram informing her of Godfrey's death, she was living near Caerwent Quarry, Elm Tree cottage. She rushed next door to see her neighbour who then went to find Evelyn, who lived in Sandy Lane. Evelyn (now Mrs. Phillips) was the eldest girl and had helped to raise the family. She worked at Portskewett station during the war. Godfrey's mother was so upset at the news that she never got over it and died soon after.
Godfrey is commemorated on his grandfather's grave in the church yard in Caldicot.
Information and photos kindly provided by Godfrey's niece Mrs. Josie Cummings (Ponthir).
