Alexander Godsman was born in Elon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He emigrated to Canada in 1930, with his wife Jane and daughter, landing in Halifax. He was the son of Andrew and Jane Godsman who remained in Scotland. The newly arrived family took up residence in West Lorne, Ontario.
Alex enlisted in the Canadian Army in August 1940. He listed his trade as fish-handler and was assigned to the 9th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers in the trade of Pioneer. After being processed in the nearby Thames Valley Camp, he was sent to Petawawa for training. While he caused no serious disciplinary issues during this time, he did have a tendency to return late for leave resulting in forfeiture of pay. By February 1941, he was drawing trades pay as a Waterman “G”. He was hospitalized for influenza in Ottawa and on return to Petawawa in May, was transferred to Number 1 Base Units Construction Company, RCE. His training continued and he was some classified as a Plumbers Helper Group ‘C’.
Alex arrived in Britain in August 1941. He was sent to Number 1 Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Unit and qualified as a Pioneer Group ‘C’ and Waterman Group ‘C’. He was transferred to the 14th Field Company in January 1943 and arrived in Sicily in October 1943 as part of the newly formed 1st Canadian Corps Troops, RCE formation. Most of their service was works related, but in the opening days of the Gothic Line Battle, Alex found himself in a forward area supporting the Seaforth Highlanders. In the early morning of 1 September 1944, Sapper Alexander Godsman was wounded by enemy artillery fire and died later that day. He is buried in Montecchio Commonwealth War Cemetery. He was 34 years of age. His wife received a final payment of accrued pay and benefits of $871.59 and a monthly pension of $68.12 for a total of 1492 days of service.