209480 Sgt. E. Victor Godrich British Army Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars from:Henley in Arden Grandpa Victor fought in Both World Wars. Firstly joining the QOWH in 1908 at Kings Heath, Birmingham. As to get a holiday at annual camp with his chums from the Main PO in town, who all joined up with him. When war came in Aug 1914, they all volunteered to go on active service. So much preparation went on to get horses & troopers ready for battle. Time came to leave Worcester all geared up, then onto Salisbury Plain, then onto Kings Lynn, for Embarkation to Alexandria.
One funny thing that I remember Grandpa telling me, was while they & their horses were getting ready for the off, a Zeppelin came over Kings Lynn & bombed the place. The first time the UK had been, I believe. Thus all the horses stampeded North, South, East & West. It took them several days to gather them all back again!
The QOWH landed as Infantry at Suvla Bay in Aug 1915, & crossed the Salt Lake to Chocolate Hill, & Hill 60. Where fierce fighting against the Turks ensued. Disease was rife, thus Grandpa caught typhus & dentistry, so he & many others where taken off, back to Alexandria. Phew...he survived Gallipoli. He was lucky again, as the Dr said there was a hospital ship going back to Blighty, "would you like to go?"! "Cor blimey Sir, yes Sir!"
Ah back in Blighty up North in Lancs., then homeward to see Mum & sisters.
Then back to the Regiment in Worcs.
Several months later he did some MG Training as a Trainer, for the next draft out. They then went back to Alexandria, for the protection of the Suez Canal, & the push through Palestine to kick the Turks out.
Grandpa was at the Cavalry charge at Ogreatina, HUJ (Last Cavalry charge of the British Army), & Katia (Losses V.Heavy for Regt.) Grandpa survived all that, then served in the PO Guard in WW2 as Colonel. Thus living till 96! RIP, Grandpa EVG and RIP + His Cousin HWG who served in the 10th ALH & died 1917.
|