Arrest made following death of trailblazing Household Cavalry officer killed in collision

A man was arrested at the scene of a collision in which a prominent British Army officer lost her life.

Captain Elizabeth Godwin, the first woman to serve as an officer in the Household Cavalry in its 365-year history, died on September 5 following the crash close to her base at Pirbright.

The man, who Surrey Police say is 30 years old and from Bracknell, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and being unfit to drive through alcohol. He has since been released on bail.

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Cpt ‘Lizzie’ Godwin commissioned into the Life Guards in April 2020 after being awarded the Sword of Honour at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, marking her out as the top officer cadet of her intake.

At the time of her death, she was stationed at the Army Training Regiment in Pirbright, overseeing the basic training of the next generation of recruits into the Army.

Surrey Police said officers were called to a collision involving a silver Nissan and a silver BMW at around 20:00 on the night of the incident.

In a statement, the force said: "Sadly, despite the best efforts of paramedics, one of the drivers, a woman in her 20s, died at the scene. She has now been formally named as Captain Elizabeth Godwin, 28, of the Life Guards.

"The other driver, a 30-year-old man from Bracknell, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and being unfit to drive through alcohol. He has been released on bail while our enquiries continue."

The force added that it was calling on the public to help identify any witnesses to the incident.

In a letter to all ranks following her death, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Armitage, a senior figure within the Household Cavalry, paid tribute to Capt Godwin's "driven and determined" attitude to service, noting that history will remember her as a "trailblazing young officer".

Capt Godwin participated in Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral and was known for her sporting abilities in polo. Lt Col Armitage also remarked on her "tough and talented" nature, adding she gave her "utmost to serve King and country".

Anyone with information is asked to contact Surrey Police via its online 24/7 live chat service, quoting reference number PR/45250109216.