Harold Sandford Mugford
Lance-Corporal, 8th Squadron. Machine-Gun Corps
- Register No.
- 897 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance-Corporal (register: Lance Corporal) all Lance-Corporals →
- Unit
- 8th Squadron. Machine-Gun Corps (register: Machine Gun Corps) all Machine Gun Corps VCs →
- Date of action
- 11 April 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 26th November 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 31st August, 1894 at St James's, London
- Died
- 16th June 1958 at Chelmsford, Essex
- Memorial / grave
- not known
Digest of citation
At Monchy-le-Preux, France, on 11th April 1917, Lance-Corporal Mugford, under intense enemy fire, got his machine gun into an exposed forward position where he was able to apply productive fire on the enemy, causing losses as they were massing for a counter-attack. His No.2, on the gun, was killed almost instantly and was himself wounded at the same time. He was ordered to a new position, and once it was secured, he was to get his wounds dressed. He refused to do this and stayed on firing his gun, causing severe damage. Both his legs were broken by a shell, but in spite of this he remained at his gun. He was eventually wounded again , this time in the arm, when he was taken to the dressing station
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
MUGFORD, Harold Sandford. (reg No. 897).
Lance-Corporal. 8th Squadron. Machine-Gun Corps.
London Gazetted on 26th November 1917.
Born on 31st August, 1894 at St James's, London.
Died on 16th June 1958 at Chelmsford, Essex.
Memorial not known.
Digest of Citation reads: At Monchy-le-Preux, France, on 11th April 1917, Lance-Corporal Mugford, under intense enemy fire, got his machine gun into an exposed forward position where he was able to apply productive fire on the enemy, causing losses as they were massing for a counter-attack. His No.2, on the gun, was killed almost instantly and was himself wounded at the same time. He was ordered to a new position, and once it was secured, he was to get his wounds dressed. He refused to do this and stayed on firing his gun, causing severe damage. Both his legs were broken by a shell, but in spite of this he remained at his gun. He was eventually wounded again , this time in the arm, when he was taken to the dressing station.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: not known
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Harold Sandford Mugford by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.