Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Second World War desert campaign M.C. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant Colonel E. N. Mumford, 3rd Gurkha Rifles, later Royal Artillery

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated 1942 and additionally inscribed ‘Captain E. N. Mumford, 1st July’; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (T-Capt., 2-3 G.R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Cyprus, Near East (Major, M.C. R.A.) mounted as worn, very fine (8) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 25 January 1945. The following details are taken from the official recommendation: ‘Captain Edward Neville Mumford, 3rd Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army. During attack by portions of the 15th and 21st German Panzer Divisions on the Headquarters of the 18th Indian Infantry Brigade on 1st July, 1942, in the Middle East, two Battalions of the Brigade had been completely overrun, and all guns except one anti-tank gun had been knocked out. The Germans then directed the whole weight of their attack onto Brigade Headquarters. Captain Mumford who was Staff Captain of the Brigade directed the fire of the one remaining anti-tank gun though under heavy fire. He knocked out several tanks which remained burning a few hundred yards away. When the ammunition for the anti-tank gun was exhausted he seized a Bren gun and kept on firing from a most exposed position on the advancing German tanks. It was only when ammunition was exhausted and the German tanks were all round the Brigade Headquarters position that Captain Mumford was forced to cease firing. His coolness and courage were an example to all ranks and it was largely due to his efforts that Brigade Headquarters were able to hold up the German advance for over three hours at a most critical period.’

Edward Neville Mumford was born on 19 November 1915, and joined the Indian Army in January 1936, serving with the 3rd Gurkha Rifles on the North West Frontier of India and throughout the Second World War. He joined the Royal Artillery in January 1948, becoming Major the following year and Lieutenant Colonel in April 1957. He retired in November 1970.