Albert Earl Godfrey
Albert Earl Godfrey | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Nickname(s) | Steve |
Born | 27 July 1890 Killarney, Manitoba, Canada |
Died | 1 January 1982 Kingston, Ontario, Canada | (aged 91)
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() Air Vice-Marshal |
Unit | No. 10 Squadron RFC, No. 25 Squadron RFC, No. 40 Squadron RFC, No. 44 (Home Defence) Squadron RFC, No. 78 (Home Defence) Squadron RFC, Canadian Training Brigade |
Awards | Military Cross, Air Force Cross |
Early life and service
Godfrey was the son of Nellie and Christopher Godfrey. He was building his own airplane when World War I began. He jumped at the chance to volunteer for the Royal Flying Corps. He was told he would be accepted if he could pay for his own flight training. As he was unable to do this, he enlisted, originally in the 11th Mounted Rifles CEF in January 1915, then in the 1st Pioneer Battalion CEF of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He arrived in England in November 1915. While there, he tried to take flying lessons, but his commanding officer would not allow him the time off from his duties. He shipped off to France, and served in the trenches until mid-1916. He finally arranged a transfer to the RFC as an aerial observer.[3]
Aerial service
Godfrey served as an observer/gunner in both 10 and 25 Squadrons, and tallied his first win by driving a
He was then withdrawn to Home Establishment to serve in 44 and 78 Squadrons until April 1918. He then returned home to serve with the Canadian Training Brigade, which he did through war's end.[3]
In September 1926, American aviator James Dalzell McKee and Squadron Leader Godfrey flew from Montreal to Vancouver over nine days, pioneering trans-Canada aviation.[4]
Text of citations
Military Cross
"Temp. 2nd Lt. Albert Earl Godfrey, Gen. List, and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in constantly attacking hostile machines at close range, regardless of personal risk or of their being in superior numbers."
Later military career
Godfrey transferred from the Royal Flying Corps to the newly created
He attained the rank of
Political career
Godfrey ran as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation's candidate in the February 1945 Grey North by-election against General Andrew McNaughton who had been appointed Minister of Defence the previous November and was contesting the by-election for the Liberal Party of Canada. While Godfrey placed third, General McNaughton was upset in the by-election by the Progressive Conservative candidate with Godfrey, whose vote total was less than the difference between McNaughton and the Conservative candidate, acting as spoiler.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b www.theaerodrome.com http://www.theaerodrome.com. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
{{cite web}}
: Missing or empty|title=
(help)[title missing] - ^ a b Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. pp. 170–171.
- ^ a b c Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920. p. 170.
- ISBN 0-07-082704-4.
- ^ Halliday, Hugh A. (1 May 2005). "Godfrey Of The RCAF: Air Force, Part 9". Legion Magazine. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915-1920 Christopher F. Shores, Norman L. R. Franks, Russell Guest. Grub Street, 1990. ISBN 978-0-948817-19-9.
- "WWI Aces of Canada". theaerodrome.com. Archived from the original on 24 May 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2008.