Leonard "Jezz" Godden
When I joined 88 Battery in 1972 Jezz and the “Crew” were the boys to be seen with, full of fun always up for a laugh.
Jezz excelled at most things he turned his hand to. An excellent Abbot driver and well respected crew member. Being from the south Jezz naturally stood out in a crowd but for all of the right reasons. He with mates Turnbull, Maddon and “Griff”, was the soul of the party and they often staged set-ups in the battery bar. It was a real scream and harmless fun.
Jezz loved Heavy Rock music and on Sunday mornings the barrack block used to rock to the sound of Deep Purple, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Terry Wiltshire, the BSM, used to have a dickey fit. Who was behind it? Yeah, you guessed right... Jezz and Maddon.
Jezz and Griff were killed by terrorists on the “M62 Bus Bomb” along with 20 other innocent people. It was a heinous act.
Jezz was highly thought of by his Officers, SNCO’s and men alike, with a life to live in front of him; he was particularly looking forward to returning to England.
Jezz will be remembered for all of the right things. He was a tremendous soldier, lived life to the full and was an example to others that life was for living.
Jezz, you may have been taken away, and you are immortalised in stone, but nobody can take the fond memories and that terrific mischievous smile that immortalised “Jezz”.
Gnr Leonard (Jezz) Godden.
Redneck sadly missed but never forgotten.
Chippy Wood
Sgt “C Troop” 1972-1978
Jess was one of the people who were killed as the result of an IRA bomb placed on a bus from Manchester to Catterick on 4th February 1974. He had spent the weekend at his mate, Terry Griffin's, parents house and they had, according to Mo, Terry's sister, a happy weekend. The two lads were best of mates and "their party piece was to start an argument, then start a fight. They would throw each other over the tables and chairs for about five minutes, then both would get up, brush themselves down, then over to the bar for a drink, as if nothing had happened", tells Bill McGill who served with them. And Grahame Matthews rembers Jess for his "his fantastic sense of humour, especially whilst on exercise in the mountains in Italy."
He died 9 days after his 22nd birthday.
Once a Redneck, always a Redneck!
Taff Fitzgerald
| Surname | GODDEN |
| Forenames/Initials | Leonard James |
| Rank | Gnr |
| Service | Army |
| Service Number | 24123869 |
| Regiment/Corps | RA |
| Date of Birth | 26 January 1952 |
| Age | 22 |
| Date of Death | 04 February 1974 |
| Cemetery Name | Darlington Crematorium |
| Included on Armed Forces Memorial | Yes |
| Included on Roll of Honour | Yes |
