Edward Bamford

Edward Bamford VC, DSO (28 May 1887 – 30 September 1928) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth military forces.

Edward Bamford was also awarded the DSO for his gallantry aboard HMS "Chester" at the Battle of Jutland, the ship that also was the scene for the actions of Boy 1st Class John Cornwell who, posthumously, became a recipient of the VC at the age of sixteen.

VC action

He was 30 years old, and a Captain in the Royal Marine Light Infantry, Royal Marines during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

:"On 22nd/23rd April 1918 at Zeebrugge, Belgium, Captain Bamford landed on the Mole from HMS "Vindictive" with three platoons of the Royal Marines storming force in the face of great difficulties. When on the Mole and under heavy fire, he commanded his company with total disregard of personal danger and he showed a magnificent example to his men. He first established a strong point on the right of the disembarkation and when satisfied that it was safe, led an assault on the battery to the left."

As with several World War I actions where so many officers and ranks distinguished themselves, such as "The Six VCs Before Breakfast" won by the Lancashire Fusiliers at Gallipoli, the Royal Marines Zeebrugge VCs were awarded by ballot, whereby those involved in the action voted for whom they deemed to merit the award. He later achieved the rank of Major.

Death

Bamford died in 1928 aboard the HMS "Cumberland" en route to Hong Kong and was buried in the Bubbling Wells Road Cemetery in Shanghai. A 1930s photograph in the RM Museum shows a picture of his grave and headstone. All cemeteries containing "foreigners" were destroyed in the Cultural Revolution and a shopping centre now stands on the site. Not one brick of the cemetery remains.

Memorials to Edward Bamford are in the Depot Church in Deal and there is a Bamford House in the RM Barrack at Eastney. On 3 April 2004, the Royal Marines presented a plaque in his memory to the Officials of Zeebrugge.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Marines Museum "(Southsea, England)".

References

* Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
* The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
* VCs of the First World War - The Naval VCs (Stephen Snelling, 2002)

External links

* [http://www.netcomuk.co.uk/~mck/victori6.htm The Raid on Zeebrugge]
* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ggfaeast.htm Burial location of Edward Bamford] "China"
* [http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/ccroymar.htm Location of Edward Bamford's Victoria Cross] "Royal Marines Museum"