Wednesday, July 4

Meet Midshipman John Race Godfrey

GODFREY.
Acasta Midshipman under Capt Kerr, c.1805-1815

John Race Godfrey, born 11 March, 1790, is son of the late John Godfrey, Esq., of Bath, by Sarah, daughter of the late Wm. Wigget, Esq., and sister of the late General Bulwer, of Heydon Hall, co. Norfolk.

This officer entered the Navy, 9 June, 1803, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Prince of Wales 98, bearing the flags in succession of Admirals Sir Robt. Calder, Sir Jas. Saumarez, Edw. Thombrough, and Lord Gambier ; while in which ship he took part, as Midshipman, in the action of 22 July, 1805, and served on shore throughout the operations connected with the attack on Copenhagen. After the latter event he served, until his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant, 15 March, 1815, in the Sultan 74, Capt. Edw. Griffith, Lavinia 44, Capt. John Hancock, Thames 32, Capt. Hon. Granville Geo. Waldegrave, President 58, Capt. Sam. Warren, and Acasta 40, Capt. Alex. Robt. Kerr. During the four years of his continuance in the latter ship, Mr. Godfrey, who had previously visited the Mediterranean and Cape of Good Hope, assisted at the re-capture of the 20-gun ship Levant, and also at the taking of five privateers, carrying in the whole 61 guns and 439 men.

In 1820 he obtained an appointment in the Coast Guard; after 12 years' retention of which he was placed on half-pay. He has not since had any official occupation. Lieut. Godfrey married, 7 July, 1817, Augusta Maria, daughter of the late John Marsh, Esq., of Thornbury, Gloucestershire, by whom he has issue six children.

Source: A NAVAL BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY: COMPRISING THE LIFE AND SERVICES OF EVERY LIVING OFFICER IN HER MAJESTY'S NAVY, FROM THE RANK OF ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET TO THAT OF LIEUTENANT, INCLUSIVE. Compiled from Authentic and Family Documents. BY WILLIAM E. O'BYRNE, ESQ.
LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET, PUBLISHER TO THE ADMIRALTY. 1849.

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