Club commemorates First World War hero

Club Ambassador Gary Mabbutt joined the Mayor of Haringey, Councillor Stephen Mann, to unveil a commemorative paving stone at the Hornsey War Memorial in memory of Captain Edward Bamford – a recipient of the Victoria Cross during the First World War.

As part of the Department for Communities and Local Government’s events to mark the Centenary of the First World War, all recipients of the Victoria Cross awarded between 1914 and 1918 will have a memorial stone unveiled in their honour in the borough they lived in. Captain Edward Bamford’s paving stone is the second of four to be laid in Haringey. The other recipients’ paving stones will be laid later this year.

Edward Bamford was born on 28 May, 1887, and lived in Langdon Park Road, Highgate, London. He later moved to Sherborne, Dorset where he was educated at Sherborne School. In September, 1905, Edward joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry.

Above: Lt General Dutton and Mayor of Haringey, Councillor Stephen Mann, at the unveiling.

On 23 April, 1918, Captain Bamford, aged just 30 years old, landed at Zeebrugge, Belgium from HMS Vindictive with three platoons of the Royal Marines. Soon after disembarking, Bamford’s men found themselves under heavy fire by German vessels who were attempting to raid Zeebrugge. Bamford commanded his men to safety, showing great courage and leadership skills. He was later awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery.

Gary Mabbutt said: “As a Club we are delighted to be marking the heroic actions of all four Victoria Cross recipients who lived in Haringey. We have a long history of supporting the Armed Forces and it’s important for us to come together and reflect on the incredible courage displayed by these men.”