Horticulturalist.
Born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, England on 21 December 1878, he trained as a gardener in England before coming to Canada in 1913. He worked at the experimental station at Rosthern, Saskatchewan. During the First World War, he served for four years overseas with the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Returning from military duty, he transferred to the Morden Experimental Farm in 1923 where he was promoted to the position of Head Gardener before retirement in 1946. Recognized as one of Canada's top horticulturalists, he bred roses and herbaceous plans. He selected the Morden pink lythrum. He received a Stevenson Memorial Gold Medal from the Manitoba Horticultural Association (1947). He was married twice, first to Elizabeth Godfrey (?-?) and second on 5 January 1938 to Lilian Amelia Minns (1896-1966). He was a member of the Masons (Morden Lodge). He died at his Morden home on 24 November 1953 and was buried in the Morden Hillside Cemetery.
Attestation papers, Canadian Expeditionary Force, Library and Archives Canada.
Marriage registration [William Godfrey, Lilian Amelia Minns], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Death registration [William Godfrey], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
“Top gardener William Godfrey dies at Morden,” Winnipeg Free Press, 26 November 1953, page 39.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 30 November 1953, page 15.
Obituaries and burial transcriptions, Manitoba Genealogical Society.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 22 December 2025
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