Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Enlisted at London on the 18th of February 1835.
Trade: Paper-maker.
No other enlistment details are shown.
Returned to England from India aboard the "Repulse" on the 12th of March 1842, having left Bombay on the 28th of December 1841.
Sent to the Cavalry Depot when the regiment embarked for the Crimea. 18th of July 1854.
Joined the regiment in the Crimea from Brighton on the 15th of April 1855.
Died at Balaclava on the 4th of August 1855.
Next of kin: Brother, Henry Godwin, living at Bulford, Wiltshire.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasp for Sebastopol.
No rolls exist for the Ghuznee medal but the muster rolls for the period show him as "On service in Scinde" and from other known recipients who have this comment by their names he would have also been entitled to this medal.
Not recorded by Lummis and Wynn.
A letter was written to the Commanding Officer of the Cavalry Depot at Brighton:
Horse Guards,
20th November 1854.
Sir — Before taking any first steps in the case of 746 Private William Godwin, 4th Lt. Dragoons, I am directed by the General Commander-in-Chief with reference to your application on the 17th inst. that Mr Batup may be proceeded with under the 9th Clause of the Mutiny Act. It is confidently believed that the above person may be summarily convicted of this claim of receiving the Articles referred to by you. You will be pleased to report the result and also inform me if 1618 Private James Purnell has been apprehended.
I have the honour, etc. etc.,
G.G. Weatherall.
(There is no reference in the muster rolls for the period of any disciplinary action being taken against him.)
Died at Balaclava on the 4th of August 1855.
Next of kin: Brother, Henry Godwin, living at Bulford, Wiltshire.