Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- [1903-1971] (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
27 boxes and 1 wrapped volume
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
John Henry Godfrey entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in 1903. He was promoted to Midshipman in 1904, to Sub-Lieutenant in 1908 and to Lieutenant of the light cruiser BLANCHE in 1913. He served on HMS EURYALUS during the Dardenelles campaign in 1915, and in 1916 Godfrey was promoted to Lieutnenant-Commander. Between 1916-19, Godfrey was on the staff of C-in-C Mediterranean, Admiral Wemyss, after which he was a Junior War Staff officer on the staff of Sir Charles Madden, C-in-C Home Fleet. In 1920, Godfrey was promoted to Commander, at the time, one of the youngest to hold that rank. From 1923 to 1931, Godfrey was on the directing staff of the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, with a brief break in between from 1925-28, when he served as second in command of HMS DIOMEDE. (After this he was promoted to Captain and returned to the Royal Naval Staff College in 1929 as Deputy Director.) Godfrey then commanded HMS KENT, HMS SUFFOLK and from 1936-39, was in command of HMS REPULSE in the Mediterranean Fleet. Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1939, Godfrey took up the postition of Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI), which he held until 1942, when he was made Vice-Admiral. He was then appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Royal Indian Navy (FOCRIN) in 1943, being responsible for its organisation, training, administration, etc. In 1945, Godfrey was placed on the retired list and promoted to Admiral. However, he continued to serve as FOCRIN until March of 1946, thereby completing a full 3 years service in that position.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0064 GOD [1903-1971] Collection 27 boxes and 1 wrapped volume Godfrey , John Henry , 1888-1971 , Admiral
John Henry Godfrey entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in 1903. He was promoted to Midshipman in 1904, to Sub-Lieutenant in 1908 and to Lieutenant of the light cruiser BLANCHE in 1913. He served on HMS EURYALUS during the Dardenelles campaign in 1915, and in 1916 Godfrey was promoted to Lieutnenant-Commander. Between 1916-19, Godfrey was on the staff of C-in-C Mediterranean, Admiral Wemyss, after which he was a Junior War Staff officer on the staff of Sir Charles Madden, C-in-C Home Fleet. In 1920, Godfrey was promoted to Commander, at the time, one of the youngest to hold that rank. From 1923 to 1931, Godfrey was on the directing staff of the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, with a brief break in between from 1925-28, when he served as second in command of HMS DIOMEDE. (After this he was promoted to Captain and returned to the Royal Naval Staff College in 1929 as Deputy Director.) Godfrey then commanded HMS KENT, HMS SUFFOLK and from 1936-39, was in command of HMS REPULSE in the Mediterranean Fleet. Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1939, Godfrey took up the postition of Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI), which he held until 1942, when he was made Vice-Admiral. He was then appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Royal Indian Navy (FOCRIN) in 1943, being responsible for its organisation, training, administration, etc. In 1945, Godfrey was placed on the retired list and promoted to Admiral. However, he continued to serve as FOCRIN until March of 1946, thereby completing a full 3 years service in that position.
The papers were presented to the National Maritime Museum first by Admiral Godfrey between 1931 and 1964, and then by Mrs Margaret Godfrey between 1980 and 1981.
Papers of John Henry Godfrey covering the majority of Godfrey's long career in the Royal Navy, as well as his very active retirement. Amongst the wide-ranging collection, present are official records of Godfrey's early service, copies of lectures given at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and various papers relating to his time as DNI, including several NID monographs that offer detailed analysis of various wartime and post war topics. There is also present a large amount of material relating to Godfrey's time as FOCRIN, including letters, reports, promotional recruitment publications, etc. There are also diaries from 1931-1971, and a complete set of Godfrey's unpublished memoirs in 8 volumes.
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Please contact the Archive for further information.
English
Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .
Edited by Sarah Drewery, Jun 2011.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
2011-01-31 Naval affairs Naval operations World War Two (1939-1945) Diaries Godfrey , John Henry , 1888-1971 , Admiral Royal Navy Royal Naval College , Greenwich World wars (events) Military operations Primary documents Military affairs Military science Documents Military engineering Wars (events) Social sciences Information sources
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The papers were presented to the National Maritime Museum first by Admiral Godfrey between 1931 and 1964, and then by Mrs Margaret Godfrey between 1980 and 1981.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of John Henry Godfrey covering the majority of Godfrey's long career in the Royal Navy, as well as his very active retirement. Amongst the wide-ranging collection, present are official records of Godfrey's early service, copies of lectures given at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and various papers relating to his time as DNI, including several NID monographs that offer detailed analysis of various wartime and post war topics. There is also present a large amount of material relating to Godfrey's time as FOCRIN, including letters, reports, promotional recruitment publications, etc. There are also diaries from 1931-1971, and a complete set of Godfrey's unpublished memoirs in 8 volumes.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Conditions governing reproduction
Please contact the Archive for further information.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Detailed catalogue online at the: National Maritime Museum website .
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
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Subject access points
Place access points
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Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
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Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English