Godfrey D. Rhodes
Brigadier-General Sir Godfrey Dean Rhodes was a Canadian-born and -educated soldier who served with the British Army in Canada, Turkey, Bulgaria, Kenya, Uganda, Persia-Iraq and India.
Education
He was born in Victoria, British Columbia, was educated at Trinity College School, Port Hope, Ontario. He enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario from 1903 to 1907. He was first in his class, served as College Battalion Sergeant-Major in 1906–07 and won the Sword of Honour. He graduated with honours, and won the Governor-General's Gold Medal.Military service
On graduation, he was commissioned by the Imperial Army and served with the Royal Engineers. He was promoted Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers on 27 June 1907. He initially serviced in India with the 9 Railway Company Sappers. During the war of 1914–1918, he served in France and the Near East. Following the collapse of Turkey he went to Constantinople to take over the Turkish State Railways. He later took over the Bulgarian Railway Lines.Family
He married Marion Jessie "Mollie" Topping in July 1915 in London, England. The couple had two sons and a daughter. Rhodes was appointed General Manager, Kenya and Uganda Railways and Harbours, with effect from 30 October 1934 until he was seconded to military duty in 1941.Civilian career
As a Major with the Royal Engineers he was an associate civil engineer in Rhodes, Macpherson Fox Smith. Prior to World War II, he served as Chief Engineer and later General Manager of the Kenya and Uganda Railways and Harbours. He was active in the Boy Scout movement and served as Chief Scout Commissioner for Kenya prior to World War II.While in Kenya in 1941, he oversaw the burial of Lieutenant-General The 1st Baron Baden-Powell.