Air Vice-Marshal H.B. Godwin, CBE, CD

Air Vice-Marshal H.B. Godwin, CBE, CD

Harold Brandon Godwin was born in Westmount, Quebec, on 24 April 1907 and went on to graduate as an Electrical Engineer from McGill University in 1928.

Commissioned in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on 16 July 1928, he was assigned RCAF Service Number 99. He obtained his wings on 18 March 1929 and, early in his career, flew at Camp Borden, Ottawa and Trenton, Ontario.

Until 1934, the RCAF depended on the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals (RCCS) for the operation and maintenance of its radio communication. Several RCAF officers, including Flight Lieutenant (F/L) Godwin, had been attached to the RCCS for a course of instruction. Also in 1934 F/L Pattison, a Royal Air Force Officer, was attached to the RCAF as a liaison officer to assist in the formation of a Signal Section. The new section became part of the School of Army Co-operation in Borden and F/L Godwin was appointed Officer Commanding and Chief Instructor of the new section. In 1938 he was appointed Air Signals Advisor at Air Force Headquarters (AFHQ), Ottawa, Ontario with the rank of Squadron Leader.

During the war, while in Canada, he was closely associated with signals including service as the Commanding Officer Wireless School, Trenton, Ontario; No.3 Wireless School, Winnipeg, Manitoba; and RCAF StationGander, Newfoundland. In addition he served as Senior Signals Officer, No.3 Training Command, Montreal, Quebec; and, as a Group Commander (G/C), Director of Signals, (AFHQ) where he succeeded G/C Ralph McBurney

Early in 1945 he was posted to England as an Air Commodore to command No. 64 Base and in 1946 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. His Commendation reads "Air Commodore Godwin did outstanding work in Royal Canadian Air Force Signals organization and operations in Eastern Air Command after which he was posted overseas where he became Officer in Charge of Administration at No .6 Group Headquarters and later Deputy Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, RCAF Headquarters Overseas. His untiring effort and clear thinking, together with his organizing ability, has been a considerable contribution to the solving of the many difficult problems met in the repatriation of the Royal Canadian Air Force since the cessation of hostilities. His conscientious, vigorous and enthusiastic devotion to duty is worthy of recognition."

In 1946 he also attended the Imperial Defence College, and was made Deputy Air Member for Air Plans.

On 1 January 1952 he was promoted Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) and made AOC, Air Material Command, again succeeding AVM Ralph McBurney.

From July 1955 to August 1958 he served as AOC No. 1 Air Division

AVM Godwin retired 13 April 1959 and joined RCA Victor.

He died in Montreal, 17 November 1994.