South Petherton Somerset
Munford's at War
Alfred James Munford was born
in South Petherton Somerset on 22.12.1872 the eldest of six children
to Alfred Munford (a plumber also of South Petherton DOB 1843) and Martha
Munford nee Crocker DOB 1841 from Melbury Osmond in Dorset.. He married
Mary Frances Kirby (of Cork, Ireland) in Plymouth in 1899. They had four
sons and two daughters.
Service
life however started in 1888 when he joined the Royal Engineers (He saw
service during the Irish uprising and Freetown, Sierra Leone where the
photo was taken in 1909). Leaving the army as Quarter Master Sergeant in
1914, he was immediately recalled for the Great War in France.
For his services he was awarded the M.B.E. He died in 1957.
His eldest son Alfred James Frederick
Munford 1903 - 1975
(born and died in Plymouth) joined The Royal Engineers aged 15 in Feb 1918
- 1927. Then spent 11 years on reserve list and was recalled for WW2. Photo
Barry S. Wales 1941 or 1942.
Arthur Henry Roland Munford 
Born Queenstown, Cork Ireland 21.1.1909. Joined The Royal Artillery
1924 - 1949 (He left as a Regimental Sgt Major). From 1929 onwards he served
in Singapore, Malta, Palestine, Egypt, Belgium & France (1939 - Dunkirk),
8th Army from 1942 Egypt (El Alamein) and Italy (Tunis). He finally became
a ships RSM serving on troop ships at end of war when this photo was probably
taken. Retiring after 25 years.
Thomas Alexander Munford 
(See Lest We Forget). Born Inverkeithing Scotland 1907. He joined
The Royal Engineers 1923 and was killed as S/Sgt in bomb disposal Swansea
South Wales in 1941. For the full story click here.
Verdun Joffre Patrick Munford
(known as Monty) my father 18.3.16 - 19.11.96 ( note birthday for strange
Christian names!) Joined Royal Horse Guards (The Blues) 1935 which amalgamated
with Life Guards to form the Household Cavalry Regiment at the outbreak
of WW2. He served in Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Persia, Egypt,
El Alamein, Italy. Back to UK after 4yrs 9mths. The on to Holland
and Germany. At the end or War he retired after 22 years as Regimental
Quarter Master Corporal and enrolled in The Yeomen of Guard for 18 years
until 1981. Photo 1939
For the record the two daughters
were Martha who married a naval CPO who served on Russian convoys and Kathleen
b 1910 who married my Uncle Harold (RAF)!
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