And they live in Jersey (1966) - Brigadier Sir Francis Fetherston-Godley, O.B.E, D.L.

 

From 1966 Jersey Topic, a fascinating piece by Pat Hall. 

And they Live in Jersey
By Pat Hall

Brigadier Sir Francis Fetherston-Godley, O.B.E, D.L.

Although of Irish descent, Bridadier Sir Francis Fetherston-Godley has family history closely associated with Jersey, so this article is doubly topical. His great, great grand-father who commanded the 83rd Regiment in Jersey, married the daughter of the Rev. Rickard, Rector of St. Peters. (Her one-time home, Le Colombier, St. Lawrence, though now much renovated, still stands and is mentioned by Joan Stevens in her book ‘Old Jersey Houses').

Sir Francis spent much of his childhood here when his father was Assistant Adjutant-General to the Governor, and he went to Victoria College before going on to Cheltenham and Sandhurst.

After serving in the First World War in France and later in India he left the Army in 1926, but his association with the Service continued.

The organisation of the Territorial Army in Gloucester—a county of which he is Deputy Lieutenant—took up much of his time. Even more absorbing was his work with the British Legion of which he became National Chairman in 1934. In this capacity he lead delegations of Ex-servicemen to Europe with the idealistic hope that an international reunion of men who had fought opposite each other might lead to a means of averting war.

He had many conferences with European Heads of State including four meetings with Hitler and about as many with Mussolini, each of whom presented him with their signed photographs. The mission, as we all know, failed and in 1939 he was back in France in uniform.

He is a Commander of the Légion d‘Honneur, was mentioned in despatches in both wars, was awarded the OBE in the First War, and among his numerous medals which include the Croix de Guerre, Belgian and Yugoslavian decorations he possesses the Queen‘s Colonial Police medal. This, he explained, he had been awarded for service in the Kenya Police Reserve.

While living in Kenya in 1947, he was asked to assist in forming an armed force to help keep the peace. He was Commandant of this Police Reserve for the Southern Province of Kenya from 1950 to 1954, and during the period of Mau-mau terrorism served under the late Sir George Erkine (previous Lieut. Governor in Jersey). He is President of the Old Contemptibles Association in Jersey.

The Brigadier is also a very keen yachtsman and in his time has owned six very beautiful yachts. The latest of these, the 21 ton m.y. “Corita”, built on the lines of a Norwegian whaler, is now lying in St. Helier Yacht Harbour.

I recalled some of the sound common sense shown in his letters to the Press and asked if he had ever considered taking part in local politics. He told me he had no wish to interfere with island affairs, but as he could not stand inefficiency he had, on occasions voiced his opinions in the Press.

When I asked this eminent soldier whether he considered himself a Jerseyman or an Englishman, he replied, in his voice which is surprisingly quiet for one with such a commanding manner, “I am Irish.”