Pte Ernest Llewellin Godbehear, 44027, 10th Battalion Essex Regiment, died of wounds in France on May 22nd, 1918. He the third son of Thomas James and Emma Godbehear to die, but the first on the battlefield.

Little detail was given in a report in The Luton News, other than to concentrate on his achievements as a boxer. He held the lightweight championship of the 212th Brigade, and was runner-up in the championship of the Division. His parents had received the watch and medals he had been awarded.

Ernest's older brother Frederick had joined the Royal Navy but died of pneumonia in 1914 shortly before war broke out, and younger brother, aged 15, had died in 1916 as the result of a cycling accident and after an operation on his head had failed. Another brother, William, was serving in a machine gun corps.

Ernest was born in Bedford in 1899. In 1911, he and five brothers, three sisters and parents Thomas James and Emma were living at Crayford Villa, Talbot Road, Luton. Eight of the siblings were of school age or below, only oldest son Herbert was at work, as an engineering apprentice.

At the time Ernest was captured the family were living at 452 Hitchin Road, Luton.