Funeral held for Army officer Elizabeth Godwin after car crash

A military funeral has been held for the first female officer in the Army’s most senior regiment after she died in a car crash.

Capt Elizabeth Helen Godwin, 28, was part of the Life Guards, which is within the Household Cavalry. She died in a crash on the A322 Lightwater Bypass in Surrey on 5 September.

At the time of her death, she was serving at the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright, teaching young soldiers.

Her funeral was held on Wednesday at the Guards Chapel, Wellington Barracks, London.

Nine mounted cavalry troopers from the Life Guards formed a detachment on the Wellington Barracks Square for the arrival of the hearse.

Her coffin was carried by members of the regiment, and the steps to the chapel were lined by dismounted dutymen from The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals Regiment.

At the top of the steps, there was an honour guard of by the young soldiers Capt Godwin had been teaching at Pirbright.

The hearse bearing her coffin followed the route Capt Godwin took each day to take up her duties when she was an officer of the King’s Life Guard.

Capt Godwin joined the Life Guards in 2020, winning the Sword of Honour at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as the best of her intake.

She played polo and hockey for the Army and took part in ceremonial duties, including the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the King’s coronation.

Commanding Officer Lt Col Tom Armitage previously paid tribute to the officer, saying that she was “talented, resourceful and compassionate”.