Godfrey Eaton (1911-2000)
27.7.00

We lost Godfrey on 26th June 2000. He was one of the founder members of the Ferrari Owners' Club of Great Britain and he led an extraordinarily rich and varied life. Ivan Bishop, together with Godfrey's son Brian, has written this appreciation of a man who will be desperately missed and always remembered.

Godfrey Owen Powell Eaton was born on 25th July 1911, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. His parents were Bertie and Marjorie (nee Farmer). He was the third child of four, Richard, Peggy, Godfrey and Joey. His brother Richard was killed in action when he went down with his submarine (I believe "Tiger") in the Aegean. Both his sisters pre-deceased him.

In 1934 Godfrey married Margaret (now deceased) and in 1935 their daughter, Susan, was born. She now lives in the USA with her husband and visits the UK from time to time. In 1945 Godfrey married Eve, just before the end of the war in Japan. With this marriage he took on the responsibility of four children Brian, Cicely, Derek and Anne.


In reflective mood at Avisford Park, Goodwood.

Godfrey was sent to England in 1919 to go to a preparatory school and his holidays were spent with aunts. His parents were still in Malaya. Godfrey's father worked for the Government in connection with the rubber industry. There is a road named after the family in Kuala Lumpur.

Around 1923/4 Godfrey went to a public school called Monkton Coomb in Somerset. He excelled in many things especially cricket and rugby, having trials for both Somerset and Bath. However he sustained a serious injury to one of his legs and this finished any future career in this direction. He was also a very accomplished horseman and he had, in fact, a long-standing affection for both horses and dogs.

Godfrey next went to Wye Agricultural College, this would have been in about 1932. He completed his formal education and qualified as an agriculturalist.

In 1939 Godfrey was appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture to take responsibility for the supply and distribution of meat for southern England and part of the Midlands. His accident prevented him from being involved in military service. Whilst working at his office in High Wycombe he met Eve, whom he married in 1945.

At the end of the war in Europe in 1945 Godfrey was sent by the Ministry to the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. His task was to assist in the redevelopment of the cotton plantations in the Gedaref and Kassala provinces. This was curtailed because of a recurring illness and also because of the ensuing battles between the southern Christians and the northern Muslims. This still goes on today.

Godfrey returned to England in 1947 to work for Shell. In 1950 he became MD of Turkdean Limited. This company went aerial crop spraying but unfortunately the son of the owner sprayed more than the target area and as a result the running costs became prohibitive so the owner, Pilkington, closed the venture. It also ended their stay in the Cotswolds, but Godfrey did obtain a Bugatti Type 30.

In 1952 he moved to Teston in Kent and managed a research plant in Wateringbury. Here they tested various chemicals for the control of insects on fruit etc.

In 1963 Godfrey and Eve moved to Newbury where they opened a shop and in 1977 they retired and went to Frome. By then Godfrey had already become involved with both the Bugatti and Ferrari Owners' Clubs. He also developed his writing skills and produced several books on his favourite subject Ferrari. He also wrote extensively for both Clubs' magazines.

For part of his working career Godfrey became an expert witness in the High Court when crop-spraying disputes arose. This was a very rewarding time, and it also required continuous study of the latest techniques, chemicals and applications. Time moved on and Godfrey bowed out.

Godfrey always tried to be immaculate and generally succeeded, he was very much aware of his appearance. He was a keen modeller, whittling away at wood to make an Alfa, Maserati and Mercedes. He did at one time consider a political career. His greatest pleasure came from the two marques Bugatti and Ferrari, on which he had great expertise. Godfrey was a man of many talents - most of which he fulfilled. His failing eyesight left him very depressed as it stopped his love of words and, most importantly, writing. Eve then became his eyes.

I feel very privileged to have known Godfrey for a period of over 30 years. All the people that ever came in contact with him throughout his agricultural, sporting and Bugatti/Ferrari years will be saddened by his death and will miss the special character that he was throughout his entire life.

He was one of the founder members of the Ferrari Owners' Club way back in 1967. He was suitably elected as secretary immediately and was a major player in the expansion of the FOC from zero members to 1250 members in 1988, when he deservedly retired on reaching 77 years young, after which he was appointed Vice President of the Club. During that period he was the instigator and organiser of all the events and was also editor of the Ferrari magazine and Ferrari News.

For me he was a gentleman.

IVAN BISHOP

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