First World War private’s VC set to make at least £140,000 at auction

The VC, the highest military decoration given for bravery and gallantry in the face of the enemy, was awarded to Private Sidney Godley, Royal Fusiliers, for his defence of the Nimy Bridge at Mons on August 23 1914, during the first infantry attack of the war.

The VC is in a group of medals offered for sale in Spink’s auction of Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria in London on July 19.

Pte Godley, though severely wounded by shrapnel and with a bullet lodged in his skull, took over a machine-gun from his mortally wounded commanding officer and continued to hold his position single-handedly for two hours, against a sustained heavy German assault.

When the order came to withdraw, he maintained a covering fire until the entire battalion was evacuated. After much resistance he was eventually taken prisoner.

The announcement of his award was published in the London Gazette on November 25, 1914 and read: “For coolness and gallantry in fighting his machine gun under a hot fire for two hours after he had been wounded at Mons on 23rd August.”

The original recommendation, by Lieutenant FWA Steele, Royal Fusiliers, states: “His Commanding Officer having been severely wounded and each machine gunner in turn shot, Private Godley was called to the firing line on the bridge and under heavy fire he had to remove three dead bodies and proceed to an advanced machine gun position under a sustained enemy fire. He carried on defending the position for two hours after he had received a severe head wound.”

Spink medal specialist Oliver Pepys said: “The Godley VC is both hugely important and highly emotive. Through his actions... Godley set a standard that the British Tommy would aspire to for the rest of the war, and brought honour to his regiment.”

In the same sale is another highly important VC awarded to Captain Arthur Kilby, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment following the first day of the Battle of Loos, on September 25 1915.

This medal group is also estimated to realise £140,000 – £180,000.