Personal Details
Born: Godfrey was baptised on the 6th June 1888.
Family: He was the only son born to Joseph Bebbington, a cabinet maker, and his wife Agnes Martha, nee Hollis. He had 4 sisters. On 2 December 1930 he married Elva Emily Elizabeth McKewin in Queensland, Australia.
Education: At time of the 1901 Census, Godfrey was attending Malpas Grammar School, Malpas, Cheshire.
Residence: in 1891 the Bebbington family were living in High Street, but by the time of the 1901 Census they had moved to Talbot House, 56 Green End, Whitchurch. This is the address that appears for Godfrey on the 1919 Absent Voters list for Whitchurch. In 1911 Godfrey was living in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Employment: When living in Birmingham in 1911 Godfrey was working as a cinematograph operator. When he emigrated to Australia in 1923 he was described as a farm labourer. On the Australia, Electoral Rolls his occupation was that of a mechanic.
Died: 29 November 1940 in Queensland, Australia.
Military Details
Regiment: King`s Shropshire Light Infantry, 4th Territorial Battalion
Rank: Sergeant
Service Number: 2238, 200660
Date of Enlistment: Not known
Date of Discharge: Not known
Reason for Discharge: Not known
Other Information: An extract from a letter written by Godfrey to his family and printed in The Whitchurch Herald 26 June1915 stated that he was a member of the 4th KSLI (Territorial Batt.) serving in Tanglin, Singapore.
Godfrey was awarded the Campaign Medals (British War Medal, and Victory Medal) and the Territorial Force War Medal.
The British War Medal (also known as 'Squeak') was a silver or bronze medal awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Allied Victory Medal (also known as 'Wilfred') was issued by each of the allies. It was decided that each of the allies should each issue their own bronze victory medal with a similar design, similar equivalent wording and identical ribbon. The British medal was designed by W. McMillan. The front depicts a winged classical figure representing victory. Approximately 5.7 million victory medals were issued. Interestingly, eligibility for this medal was more restrictive and not everyone who received the British War Medal ('Squeak') also received the Victory Medal ('Wilfred'). However, in general, all recipients of 'Wilfred' also received 'Squeak' and all recipients of The 1914 Star or The 1914/1915 Star (also known as 'Pip') also received both 'Squeak' and 'Wilfred'. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.
The Territorial Force War Medal was a campaign medal awarded to members of the British Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who served overseas in World War I; it is the rarest of the five British Great War medals.
The medal was established in April 1920 for award to members of the Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Services who volunteered for service overseas on or before 30 September 1914, and served overseas. They had to have been serving with the force on 4 August 1914 or have completed four years service with the force before 4 August 1914 and rejoined the force on or before 30 September 1914.