Menu

Catherall, Edmund Godfrey

Edmund Godfrey was the son of Edmund & Martha Ann Catherall (nee Shaw) of Stanley Road. Edmund Godfrey was 21 when he died in 1917; he was not married. Before the war he was  a labourer. In 1911 Edmund was employed enameling bricks; father Edmund was a timekeeper at brickworks. He had three brothers: Leonard who served in the Cheshire Regiment, Arthur and Trevor; and five sisters: Edith Randles of Frodsham, Bertha, Sarah, Martha and Mary..

Enlisting in December 1915, he disembarked at Alexandria in June 1916 and was one of four Buckley soldiers who died on 26 March 1917 at the First Battle of Gaza, the others being William Cox, William Henry Hayes, and Arthur Millington. All are named either on the Jerusalem Memorial or Gaza War Cemetery. Edward Catherall from Pentrobin, named on the Hawarden Memorial, also died 26 March and is named on the Jerusalem Memorial. British casualties amounted to 4,000; 523 killed, 2932 wounded and over 512 missing, with 175 men from the RWF lost on 26th March.

The RWF were part of the 158th (North Wales) brigade which advanced from Mansura, attacking a position called Ali Muntar. “The attacking infantry brigades met with stubborn opposition from determined defenders, firing from strong entrenchments with a clear view of the infantry line of advance, over completely open ground. In these conditions, the attacking infantry’s artillery support proved inadequate and a very high number of casualties was suffered.”

Edmund’s citation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal awarded in 1916 reads: For conspicuous gallantry when in charge of wiring parties and risky patrols (London Gazette Supplement 20/6/16).

Edmund Godfrey’s cousin, Edmund Catherall was killed at Ypres in 1916. The fathers of Edmund and Edmund Godfrey Catherall were brothers.

 

Edmund Godfrey is remembered on the family grave at Bistre Emmanuel Church.

Edmund Godfrey Catherall


Learn more about the other soldiers on the Buckley Memorial

Back to top