THE VICTORIA CROSS AND CAMPAIGN MEDALS AWARDED TO PRIVATE SYDNEY GODLEY HAVE BEEN SOLD AT AUCTION BY SPINK OF LONDON
19 July 2012


( select to enlarge )
Medal entitlement of Private Sydney Godley,
4th Bn, Royal Fusiliers ( City of London Regiment )

  • Victoria Cross
  • 1914 Star + clasp "5th Aug-22nd Nov 1914"
  • British War Medal ( 1914-20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914-19 ) + MiD Oakleaf
  • King George VI Coronation Medal ( 1937 )
  • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )

The Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to Private Sidney Godley, 4th Bn, Royal Fusiliers, have been sold at auction by Spink of London on the 19th July 2012. The group realised a hammer price of £230,000. The identity of the purchaser has not been revealed.


For the award of the Victoria Cross:

[ London Gazette, 25 November 1914 ], Nimy Bridge, Mons, Belgium, 23 August 1914, Private Sydney Frank Godley, 4th Bn, Royal Fusiliers ( City of London Regiment )

On 23 August 1914 at Mons, Belgium, in the defence of the Nimy Bridge for coolness and gallantry in fighting his machine gun under very heavy fire for two hours after he had been severely wounded.

Sydney Godley was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 15th February 1919.


Private Sydney Godley was taken a prisoner of war ( notification dated 27 April 1916 ) and remained a prisoner until hostilities ceased on 11 November 1918. Sydney Godley died on 29th June 1957, aged 67 years, at Epping Hospital, Essex, and was buried in Loughton Burial Ground on 5th July.

News

Go to VC UK flag Home Page

Iain Stewart, 19 July 2012