CURRENT RESEARCH HAS DETERMINED THAT MAJOR EDWARD BAMFORD VC DSO, ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY, WAS BURIED IN THE HUNGJAO CEMETERY, SHANGHAI, CHINA.
16 March 2014


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The obituary published in the "North China Herald" of Major Edward Bamford VC DSO, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who died on 30th September 1928 in Shanghai.

"Another of the Empire's heroes, honoured by the King with the highest of all decorations "For Valour" has died. News reached the port on Sunday that Major Edward Bamford VC DSO of the Royal Marines passed away on board HMS "Cumberland" anchored at Woosung, the same morning ( 30th September ) at five o'clock, following an attack of pneumonia. The deceased was the Instructor of Small Arms and Musketry Officer at Hong Kong having taken up the appointment in September 1926.

Major Bamford had accompanied the Marines aboard "Cumberland" on her trip to Weihaiwei from which port the vessel was en route to Hong Kong when he was taken ill.

The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon ( 7th October ) at HUNGJAO CEMETERY ( Shanghai, China ) when representative gatherings from the Navy and Army and others attended to pay their respects."

This research proves that Edward Bamford was not buried in the Bubbling Well Cemetery in Shanghai as thought. All cemeteries in Shanghai containing foreign graves were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in 1948.

  • The text on the headstone reads:
  • IN MEMORIUM
  • OF
  • MAJOR E. BAMFORD. VC. DSO. RM
  • HMS CUMBERLAND
  • 30 SEPTEMBER 1928
  • AGED 41 YEARS

For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 23 July 1918 ], Raid on Zeebrugge, Belgium, 22 / 23 April 1918, Major Edward Bamford DSO, Royal Marine Light Infantry.

For most conspicuous gallantry ( Zeebrugge ). This officer landed on the mole from "Vindictive" with numbers 5, 7 and 8 platoons of the marine storming force, in the face of great difficulties.

When on the mole and under heavy fire, he displayed the greatest initiative in the command of his company, and by his total disregard of danger showed a magnificent example to his men.

He first established a strong point on the right of the disembarkation, and, when satisfied that that was safe, led an assault on a battery to the left with the utmost coolness and valour.

Captain Bamford was selected by the officers of the R.M.A. and R.M.L.I. detachments to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant dated 29th January 1856.

Edward Bamford was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on the 31st July 1918.

For the award of the Distinguished Seervice Order ( DSO )

[ London Gazette, 15 September 1916 ], Battle of Jutland, 31 May to 1 June 1916, Captain Edward Bamford, Royal Marine Light Infantry ( HMS "Chester" )

Captain Edward Bamford commanded two guns manned by his Marines. Wounded and slightly burned about the face when his after control station was blown to pieces by a shell burst. He later help extinguished a cordite fire.

Medal entitlement of Major Edward Bamford:

  • Victoria Cross
  • Distinguished Service Order ( DSO )
  • 1914 - 15 Star
  • British War Medal ( 1914 - 20 )
  • Victory Medal ( 1914 - 19 )
  • Officer, Legion of Honour ( France )
  • Knight, Order of St Anne ( Russia )
  • Order of the Rising Sun ( Japan )

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Iain Stewart, 16 March 2024