A 28-year-old army officer described as “talented” met a tragic end in a car accident after serving as a trailblazing female member of the Household Cavalry. Captain Lizzie Godwin, the first woman to join this elite regiment, lost her life in a collision in Surrey while returning home. At the time of the accident, she was stationed at Pitbright’s Army Training Regiment, where she was involved in training new recruits.
Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Armitage, praised her as a skilled and compassionate troop leader, emphasizing the significant gap her passing has left within the Household Cavalry family. He anticipated that history would remember her as the Army’s first female officer in its most prestigious regiment, although she aspired to be recognized as a dedicated and proficient young officer devoted to serving her country and inspiring soldiers.
The Household Cavalry expressed profound sorrow over her abrupt and untimely death, describing her as a lively, dynamic officer with a promising future. Originally from Devon, Lizzie pursued a nursing degree at King’s College through a military scholarship, simultaneously serving in the Army Reserves and working at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. Noteworthy among her accolades were the Sword of Honour from Sandhurst and a medal from the challenging Cambrian Patrol competition.
In her own words, Lizzie regarded her years of mounted duty as the greatest privilege of her life. She led her troop during Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and commanded a division of the Life Guards at the King’s Coronation. A dedicated sportswoman, she engaged in hockey and polo within the Army’s teams, also participating in significant ceremonial events like the Queen’s funeral and the King’s Coronation.
Forces News highlighted the supportive role of Lizzie’s mother in her pursuit of a military career, despite the generational disapproval from older family members accustomed to a different view of women in the military.