Godwin Michelmore

Major General Sir William Godwin Michelmore KBE, CB, DSO, MC, TD, JP, DL (14 March 1894–25 October 1982) was a senior British Army officer who served in both world wars and was later ADC to King George VI and Lord Mayor of Exeter.

Early life and military career

Godwin Michelmore was born in Exeter, Devon, and educated at Rugby School. During the First World War Michelmore was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the British Army's Royal Engineers and fought in the Battle of Passchendaele, where he was wounded. By the end of the war, Michelmore had been promoted to acting major and had been awarded the Military Cross (MC) and had been twice mentioned in despatches.

During the Second World War, Michelmore was a brigade and divisional commander. He commanded the Devon and Cornwall County Division, the 77th Infantry Division (later re-designated as the 77th Infantry (Reserve) Division, and finally the 77th Holding Division), and finally the 45th Holding Division. Michaelmore also served as Aide-de-camp (ADC) to King George VI between 1942 and 1947.

Post war

Michelmore’s post war appointments included:

• Lord Mayor of Exeter, 1949–50
• Chairman of the Devon Magistrates Courts Committee
• Secretary to the Bishop of Exeter
• Deputy Diocesan Registrar
• Chairman of the Governors of St Luke’s College in Exeter
• Member of the Council of the University of Exeter
• Governor of Blundell's School

Michelmore was appointed Commander of the Honourable Order of the Bath CB in 1945 and created Knight Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 1953.

In early 1971 he married Winsome Montgomery, one of Bernard Montgomery's sisters.

Sources

• Obituary of Major-Gen Sir G. Michelmore, The Times, Saturday, 30 October 1982 (pg. 10; Issue 61376; col F)
• 1911 UK census
• Smart, Nick (2005). Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War. Barnesley: Pen & Sword. ISBN 1844150496.