Bill Godwin

Bill Godwin

OBE OLM DMM
Bill Godwin; OBE OLM DMM
	Godwin at the last commanding officers' parade of the Guard Force, April 1980
Born	1922; British India
Died	2018 (aged 95–96)
Allegiance	British Empire (1940-1965); Rhodesia (1965-1980);
Branch	British Indian Army (1940-1947); Rhodesian Army & Guard Force (1947-1980);
Service years	1940 to 1980
Rank	Brigadier
Commands	1st Battation, Rhodesian African Rifles; 3rd Battalion, Rhodesia Regiment; Guard Force;
Conflicts	Second World War; Malayan Emergency; Rhodesian Bush War;

Brigadier William Arthur Godwin (1922–2018) was a Rhodesian army officer. He served with the Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) during the British colonial era and was mentioned in despatches for service during the Malayan Emergency. After Rhodesia's 1965 unilateral declaration of independence from Britain Godwin remained with the RAR, rising to command its 1st battalion. By 1972 Godwin had reached the rank of brigadier and commanded Rhodesia's 2nd Brigade. He had retired by 1975 but was brought back to help establish Guard Force, a new armed service that provided security to the protected villages. The unit disbanded after the 1980 transition to black-majority government (as Zimbabwe).