Captain Elizabeth Helen Godwin, a pioneering Army officer, has tragically died at the age of 28 following a car crash on Friday.
First Female Officer of The Life Guards
Captain Godwin, described as ‘Toughtough and talented’, was the first female officer of The Life Guards, a unit within the Household Cavalry. Her Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Tom england/armitage/”>Armitage, paid tribute, stating she was ‘talented, resourceful and compassionate’.
He added: ‘History may record Lizzie as the first female officer in the Army’s most senior regiment, but I know she would want to be recalled simply as a tough and talented young officer doing her utmost to serve King and country and to lead and inspire soldiers. Her Suddensudden and untimely death leaves a huge void for all of us in the Household Cavalry family, and she will be remembered by us all as a lively, fun and dynamic officer with a very bright future ahead of her.
Tributes Paid to Captain Elizabeth Godwin
Notable Achievements
Captain Godwin had performed high-profile ceremonial duties, including those at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and the King’s Coronationcoronation after joining The Life Guards in 2020. She was awarded the Sword of Honour at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as the best of her intake and played polo and hockey for the Army.
At the time of her death, she was serving in the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright. Growing up in Devon and attending Exeter School, she expressed her leadership philosophy in a 2023 interview with British magazine Tatler, stating, ‘No matter what, you have to have a confident front, because if you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will.’
Details of the Fatal Crash
The fatal incident occurred around 8pm on September 5 on the A3 traffic22 Lightwater Bypass in Surrey. Police have not yet confirmed the identity of the victim, with formal identification expected to take place tomorrow.
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