Show NAMUR AND BANK OF ENGLAND first deputy governor of great british financial institution killed in the trenches by a strange coincidence namur the belgian city which is fighting so prominently in the great european europea a war Is connected with a stirring story concerning the dank batik of england says london tit bits As everyone knows william patterson a scottish farmer was the founder of the great institution in thread needle street its his plan for a national bank was submitted to the government in 1691 but it was not till three years later that the chancellor of the exchequer mr montague and michael godfrey one of the richest merchants in london put the scheme into operation at this time england vaa at war with france and godfrey who was vas the banks first deputy governor left his peaceful occupation to visit namur then being vigorously besieged by the english forces under william ill III godfrey had undertaken this perilous journey in order to consult the king respecting the supply of money to the army necessary to carry on the war thinking that the safest place would naturally be somewhere near his majesty michael ventured into the trenches and soon caught the eye of the king abir mr godfrey said eaid william gravely 1 I think you ought not to run this risk you are arc a civilian and can be of no use here i true courteously replied mr bir god trey but I 1 am no moro more exposed than your majesty yet returned the king 1 I am in my duty and therefore have a more reasonable claim to preservation at this moment a cannon ball fired from the ramparts struck michael godfrey and killed him instantly this sad event greatly affected william ant and he commanded the body to be taken to england where it was laid to rest in st Swit Swi bias thins church near the batik bank of 0 england in the church records godfreys godfreyh God freys memory Is honored thus he lie died a bachelor much lamented by all his friends relations and acquaintances quain tor for hla his integrity his knowledge and the sweetness of his manners ma |