Captain Lizzie Godwin

We were sad to hear about the death of Captain Elizabeth Godwin (known as Lizzie), who was tragically killed in a road traffic accident this September. At the time of the crash, Lizzie was serving in the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright.

A talented military officer, Lizzie made history as the first woman to be commissioned into the Life Guards (the British Army’s most senior regiment). Here, we pay tribute to her life and legacy.

Making her mark

Lizzie was born in Devon to a military family. Her grandfather served in the British Army, and was stationed in Egypt, Gibraltar and India.

Growing up, Lizzie was a keen equestrian, hockey player and member of the Combined Cadet Force. Lizzie’s military prowess earned her an Army scholarship at the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, where she excelled in her training. While at Sandhurst, she was awarded the coveted Sword of Honour (an award given by the Commandant to the best cadet on the course).

From King’s College to the King's Life Guards

A perpetual learner, Lizzie balanced her military training with a Nursing degree at King’s. This involved juggling shifts at Great Ormond Street Hospital, serving in the Army Reserves, and going to lectures. Later in life, Lizzie recalled the incongruity of getting back from night shifts at the hospital when her flatmates would be getting up for their lectures.

Lizzie joined the Life Guards, the regiment that guards the monarch, in 2020, two years after the Army’s historic decision to allow women into frontline combat operations.

Crowning moments

Lizzie was proud to represent the Sovereign’s Escort at the Coronation of King’s Charles III and Camilla and attended Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022. She described being part of the parade as a ‘pretty sombre, sad, unique moment’.

In 2023, Lizzie led an escort of 47 soldiers and 33 horses for the Princess Royal as part of the Concours Hippique International Officiel (CHIO) Aachen equestrian event in Germany. She also orchestrated the regiment’s Musical Drive (a series of cavalry drills set to music), which was performed to a crowd of 40,000 people.

A lively, fun and dynamic officer

Outside of her day-to-day work, Lizzie kept up her sporting streak, playing hockey and polo for the Army.

In the words of Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Tom Armitage: ‘History may record Lizzie as the first female officer in the Army’s most senior regiment, but I know she would want to be recalled simply as a tough and talented young officer doing her utmost to serve King and country and to lead and inspire soldiers.

‘Her sudden and untimely death leaves a huge void for all of us in the Household Cavalry family, and she will be remembered by us all as a lively, fun and dynamic officer with a very bright future ahead of her.’

Our thoughts are with Lizzie’s family, friends, colleagues and loved ones at this difficult time.

Details for this obituary were taken from BBC News and Tatler magazine.