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James Godsil 1919 - 1945

James Godsil was born on April 27, 1919 at Carlton, and died at age 26 years old on June 27, 1945. James Godsil was buried at Lae War Cemetery Qq. B. 4. in Australia. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember James Godsil.

James Godsil

April 27, 1919

Carlton

June 27, 1945

Male

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James Godsil James Godsil (1919 - 1945)

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James Godsil's History: circa 1919 - circa 1945

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Introduction

Private James "Jim" Godsil was a member of the 2/8 Australian Infantry Battalion in WW2, having apparently signed up for service initially on the 4th of January 1940, before his 21st birthday, then later enlisting within the Battalion on 1st July 1940, aged 21. Jimmy served with the 2/8th in both the Middle East and New Guinea, earning considerable respect for his qualities of mateship, endurance, courage and sacrifice - the very epitome of the ANZAC spirit. His Battalion mate from "Don" Company, Corporal Norm Knopp described Jim's last moments more recently, reflecting on Jim's heroism and sacrifice. During the assault on Mount Shiburangu, 18th platoon, which both Norm and JIm belonged to, had been ambushed by Japanese soldiers who could not be seen in the dense jungle. Norm explained that Japanese machine gun bursts had dropped soldiers either side of him as the Australians tried in vain to return fire in their direction. Norm stated that this was the scariest moment of the war, fighting an unseen enemy in dug in positions. Jim, positioned behind Norm, came up and grabbed Norm and told him "Now you get to buggery out of this, you've had enough. I'm going up in your place". Pulling Norm back off the line, Jimmy took up position to fire back at the enemy while Norm and others flanked the Japanese position. Norm and about 6 others eventually located the Japanese machine gun nest, and moving in behind it, dropped in grenades at the front of the slit trench to take out the Japanese. It was in his act of heroism pulling Norm back off the line that Jim was mortally wounded, aged just 26. Jim's actions have not been forgotten and will be remembered with gratitude always by Norm and his family. Lest We Forget. A video account of Norm's account of Jim's heroism can be found at:
[external link]
04/27

1919

Birthday

April 27, 1919

Birthdate

Carlton

Birthplace

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Military Service

Service number: vx42399 Rank: Private Regiment: Australian Infantry Unit/ship/squadron: A.i.f. 2/8 Bn.
06/27

1945

Death

June 27, 1945

Death date

Died of gunshot wounds

Cause of death

Unknown
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
Lae War Cemetery Qq. B. 4. in Australia
Burial location
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Memories

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