Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Corporal of Horse A. C. Godfrey, 2nd Life Guards, later Assistant Superintendent, Ceylon Police and Inspector General of Police, Mauritius

Coronation 1902, bronze; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (1985, Cpl A. C. Godfrey, 2/L. Gd:) mounted as worn in this order, edge bruising, very fine (2) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from an Africa Collection.

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A. C. Godfrey served as a corporal of horse with the Life Guards during the Second Boer War, prior to being appointed an assistant superintendent in the Ceylon Police in 1903. The following references are made to his career in A History of the Ceylon Police, 1866-1913 by A. C. Dep:

‘Assistant Superintendents were required to pass examinations in Criminal Law, Police Administration and the two languages within three years. A. C. Godfrey, J. H. Daniel and Gottlier among the junior officers, were doing extremely well.... Permission was obtained to employ Mr A. C. Godfrey to train probationers in Drill and Equitation for six months. Godfrey subsequently moved from the school and served in the Central and Western Province.... Mr A. C. Godfrey was due to go to England and was well acquainted with the Chief Constables of Sheffield, Westmorland, Cumberland and Leicestershire which were likely recruiting grounds. His brother (Major C. V. Godfrey) was the Chief Constable of Salford. Mr Godfrey was asked to recruit suitable types, in conjunction with the crown Agents.... Mr Godfrey was an officer of very good repute and a gentleman who can be relied on not to demean himself by stooping to malpractices.’

Godfrey was appointed Inspector General of Police, Mauritius, when the Great War broke out. He retired, having reached the local rank of lieutenant-colonel, in October 1926. Godfrey resided in Eastbourne upon his return to the UK, and died at Ufford, Suffolk in April 1952.

Sold with copied research, and a photographic image of recipient in uniform.