Godley

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A comprehensive biography of General Sir Alexander Godley, presenting for the first time a fair and balanced look at his time as commander of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) and II ANZAC Corps during World War I. While Godley is generally remembered as being a poor field commander, Terry Kinloch argues that he was in fact a capable one who had little or no ability to influence the failed battles at Gallipoli and Passchendaele that he is often seen as responsible for. Kinloch also presents, for the first time, a detailed account of Godleys long pre- and post-World War I career in the British Army. After the war Godley returned to the British Army, eventually reaching the rank of general before retiring in 1933. During his 48-year military career, he also served on operations in Rhodesia and South Africa, as a mounted infantry instructor, in the post-war British occupation force in Germany, and as the Governor of Gibraltar.

Reviews

Kinlochs biography is balanced and clear. He follows Godleys career step-by-step delving into personality and achievements. It is a great contrast to Godleys more content-free autobiography (Life of an Irish Soldier: Reminiscences of General Sir Alexander Godley).

Kinlochs biography is balanced and clear. He follows Godleys career step-by-step delving into personality and achievements. It is a great contrast to Godleys more content-free autobiography (Life of an Irish Soldier: Reminiscences of General Sir Alexander Godley). Australian and New Zealand readers of military history will welcome this well-thought-out biography.

Author Bio

Terry Kinloch served for thirty years as an officer in the New Zealand Army. He has previously published two books about the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade in World War I: Echoes of Gallipoli (Exisle, 2005) and Devils on Horses (Exisle, 2007).