Fred Godfrey
Encyclopedia
Fred Godfrey was the pen name of Llewellyn Williams, a World War II
songwriter
. He is best known for the songs "Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty" (1916) and "Bless 'Em All
" (1917), a 1940s hit recorded by George Formby that can be found on many war film
s.
.
On 1 July 1901, he married Bertha Lloyd. One of her cousins was Collie Knox
, a well-known Daily Mail journalist of the 1930s and 1940s. Her older brother Charles Ellis Lloyd
was a Welsh novelist.
They were married in Treherbert
, after which they moved to 6 Streatham Place, London.
He began selling songs around 1906, with his first success a year later, when he teamed up with lyricist Harry Castling to produce two songs, which Billy Williams
(no relation) later recorded successfully. From 1911 until 1915, nearly every one of Williams' songs was composed by Godfrey. He also wrote songs for Florrie Forde
, Mark Sheridan, Dorothy Ward, Shaun Glenville, Ella Retford and Vesta Victoria
. Godfrey only got a few guinea
s for each song, a common occurrence at the time.
During World War I
, he gained a reputation as a writer of war songs. His song "Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty" was recorded by Dorothy Ward in 1916 and quickly became a hit.
On 26 January 1917, he was conscripted into the Royal Naval Air Service
. He was transferred to the Royal Air Force
in 1918, who released him from service to continue songwriting. In 1917, while he was away in the RNAS, "Down Texas Way", a song he had written the year, before was published and become a success. After the war, popular music changed tone and he became less successful.
In 1930, he played in a variety act featuring his hit songs with Irish tenor Tom Finglass. The act was a success, but Godfrey was could not keep to the schedule, and the act soon folded.
In the late 1930s, his old-fashioned comic song style appealed to movie actor George Formby, Jr. and radio’s "Gert and Daisy
". Comedian Max Miller's 1938 film Everything Happens to Me featured two, including the title song.
In October 1939, Godfrey’s wife Bertha died from cancer
at the age of 59.
In November 1940, came Formby’s recording of "Bless 'Em All
" was released. After World War I, it had become a kind of unofficial anthem of the RAF. Soon after its popular release, it became an immediate success. Formby recorded a second version in early 1941, with new lyrics by Godfrey.
He spent his last years living with his eldest daughter in the North London
suburb of Pinner
. He died in a nearby hospital in 1953, still writing new song ideas. He is buried in Pinner New Cemetery. His will contained £202.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. He is best known for the songs "Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty" (1916) and "Bless 'Em All
Bless 'Em All
"Bless 'Em All" is a war song credited to have been written by Fred Godfrey in 1917 and first recorded by George Formby, Jr...
" (1917), a 1940s hit recorded by George Formby that can be found on many war film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s.
Early life
He was born to Robert Williams, an auctioneer, and Maria Jane Knight, a sailor’s daughter. They were married in 1864 in CaernarvonCaernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
.
On 1 July 1901, he married Bertha Lloyd. One of her cousins was Collie Knox
Collie Knox
Collie Knox was a British author and journalist active during World War II. He wrote mostly for the Daily Mail. One of his cousins was Bertha Lloyd, wife of songwriter Fred Godfrey.- Books :...
, a well-known Daily Mail journalist of the 1930s and 1940s. Her older brother Charles Ellis Lloyd
Charles Ellis Lloyd
Ellis Lloyd was a Welsh novelist, barrister and Labour Party politician. He was elected at the 1929 general election as the Member of Parliament for Llandaff and Barry, having contested the seat unsuccessfully in 1924...
was a Welsh novelist.
They were married in Treherbert
Treherbert
Treherbert is a village and community situated at the head of the Rhondda Fawr valley in the county borough of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales. Treherbert is a former industrial coal mining village which was at its economic peak between 1850 and 1920...
, after which they moved to 6 Streatham Place, London.
Career
Between 1900 and 1953, he wrote over 900 songs.He began selling songs around 1906, with his first success a year later, when he teamed up with lyricist Harry Castling to produce two songs, which Billy Williams
Billy Williams (music hall performer)
Richard Isaac Banks , who changed his name to Billy Williams after leaving his birthplace of Australia, was one of the most recorded popular entertainers of his and indeed of all time. His recordings sold in their thousands long after his early death in 1915...
(no relation) later recorded successfully. From 1911 until 1915, nearly every one of Williams' songs was composed by Godfrey. He also wrote songs for Florrie Forde
Florrie Forde
Florrie Forde , born Flora May Augusta Flannagan, was an Australian popular singer and entertainer. She was one of the greatest stars of the early 20th century music hall....
, Mark Sheridan, Dorothy Ward, Shaun Glenville, Ella Retford and Vesta Victoria
Vesta Victoria
Vesta Victoria was an English music hall singer and comedian. Although born in Leeds, Yorkshire, Vesta adopted a Cockney persona on stage...
. Godfrey only got a few guinea
Guinea (British coin)
The guinea is a coin that was minted in the Kingdom of England and later in the Kingdom of Great Britain and the United Kingdom between 1663 and 1813...
s for each song, a common occurrence at the time.
During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, he gained a reputation as a writer of war songs. His song "Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty" was recorded by Dorothy Ward in 1916 and quickly became a hit.
On 26 January 1917, he was conscripted into the Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
. He was transferred to the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
in 1918, who released him from service to continue songwriting. In 1917, while he was away in the RNAS, "Down Texas Way", a song he had written the year, before was published and become a success. After the war, popular music changed tone and he became less successful.
In 1930, he played in a variety act featuring his hit songs with Irish tenor Tom Finglass. The act was a success, but Godfrey was could not keep to the schedule, and the act soon folded.
In the late 1930s, his old-fashioned comic song style appealed to movie actor George Formby, Jr. and radio’s "Gert and Daisy
Gert and Daisy
Gert and Daisy were the two characters of a British female comedy act who are particularly remembered for their contribution to film and radio entertainment during World War II...
". Comedian Max Miller's 1938 film Everything Happens to Me featured two, including the title song.
In October 1939, Godfrey’s wife Bertha died from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
at the age of 59.
In November 1940, came Formby’s recording of "Bless 'Em All
Bless 'Em All
"Bless 'Em All" is a war song credited to have been written by Fred Godfrey in 1917 and first recorded by George Formby, Jr...
" was released. After World War I, it had become a kind of unofficial anthem of the RAF. Soon after its popular release, it became an immediate success. Formby recorded a second version in early 1941, with new lyrics by Godfrey.
He spent his last years living with his eldest daughter in the North London
North London
North London is the northern part of London, England. It is an imprecise description and the area it covers is defined differently for a range of purposes. Common to these definitions is that it includes districts located north of the River Thames and is used in comparison with South...
suburb of Pinner
Pinner
- Climate :Pinner's geographical position on the far western side of North West London makes it the furthest London suburb from any UK coastline. Hence the lower prevalence of moderating maritime influences make Pinner noticeably warmer in the spring and the summer compared to the rest of the capital...
. He died in a nearby hospital in 1953, still writing new song ideas. He is buried in Pinner New Cemetery. His will contained £202.