'', 10 March 1888 He was born in Westminster in 1831, eldest of four sons of
Charles Godfrey, bandmaster of the
Coldstream Guards for fifty years. His eldest brother, George William Godfrey, was well known as a playwright. His brother
Fred Godfrey was also a bandmaster. Daniel Godfrey was educated at the
Royal Academy of Music, where he subsequently became professor of military music and was elected a fellow. In his early days he was a flute player in the orchestra of
Louis-Antoine Jullien and at the
Royal Italian Opera. In 1856, on the recommendation of Sir
Michael Costa, he was, through the influence of the
Prince Consort Albert, appointed bandmaster of the
Grenadier Guards. One of his first duties was to play into London the brigade of guards returning from the
Crimean War. In 1863 he composed his "Guards" waltz for the ball given by the officers of the guards to the Prince and Princess of Wales, later
King Edward VII and
Queen Alexandra, on their marriage. This became popular, as did his "Mabel" and "Hilda" waltzes. He was also successful as an arranger of compositions for military bands. He died in
Beeston, Nottinghamshire, on 30 June 1903 aged 71. Godfrey married Joyce Boyles in 1856 and there were two sons and three daughters. His eldest son,
Dan Godfrey (1868–1939), became a successful conductor in Bournemouth. ==References==