Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30400, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30400/supplement/12329. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 51507 Lance-Corporal Harold Mugford, Machine Gun Corps (East Ham). For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 11th April 1917 at Monchy-le-Preux, France, when under intense shell and machine-gun fire, Lance-Corporal Mugford succeeded in getting his machine-gun into a forward and very exposed position. From this point he was able to deal most effectively with the enemy, who were massing for counter-attack. His No. 2 was killed almost immediately, and at the same moment he himself was severely wounded. He was then ordered to a new position, and told to go to a dressing-station as soon as the position was occupied. He refused to go to the dressing-station, but continued on duty with his gun, inflicting severe loss on the enemy. Soon after he was again wounded, a shell breaking both of his legs. He still remained with his gun, begging his comrades to leave him and take cover. Shortly afterwards this non-commissioned officer was removed to the dressing-station, where he was again wounded in the arm. The valour and initiative displayed by Lance-Corporal Mugford was instrumental in breaking up the impending counter-attack of the enemy.
Fold3_Team · Oct 31, 2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30400, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30400/supplement/12329. His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned:- No. 51507 Lance-Corporal Harold Mugford, Machine Gun Corps (East Ham). For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on 11th April 1917 at Monchy-le-Preux, France, when under intense shell and machine-gun fire, Lance-Corporal Mugford succeeded in getting his machine-gun into a forward and very exposed position. From this point he was able to deal most effectively with the enemy, who were massing for counter-attack. His No. 2 was killed almost immediately, and at the same moment he himself was severely wounded. He was then ordered to a new position, and told to go to a dressing-station as soon as the position was occupied. He refused to go to the dressing-station, but continued on duty with his gun, inflicting severe loss on the enemy. Soon after he was again wounded, a shell breaking both of his legs. He still remained with his gun, begging his comrades to leave him and take cover. Shortly afterwards this non-commissioned officer was removed to the dressing-station, where he was again wounded in the arm. The valour and initiative displayed by Lance-Corporal Mugford was instrumental in breaking up the impending counter-attack of the enemy.