Godalming was formed in 1967 by Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks while they were pupils at Charterhouse School. Actor Sam Worthington was born in Godalming in 1976, before moving to Australia at a young age. Billy Dainty a British comedian, dancer, physical comedian and pantomime and television star lived in Godalming. He died on November 19, 1986, aged 59, of prostate cancer at his home, Cobblers, in Godalming. Significant people currently living in the town include the actress Rachel Hurd-Wood, Great Britain field hockey player Dan Fox, Scottish international footballer John Hansen, brother of football pundit Alan Hansen, mathematics author Matt
Godalming passed 6,500. Already, it was becoming a popular residence for commuters, for it had been connected to London by railway in 1849 and to Portsmouth in 1859. Today the town is served by Godalming railway station on the Portsmouth Direct Line. The first mayor of Godalming was Henry Marshall. Godalming came to world attention in September 1881, when it became the first town in the world to have installed a public electricity supply. It was Calder & Barnet who installed a Siemens AC Alternator and dynamo which were powered by a waterwheel, located at Westbrook Mill, on the River Wey.