Alexander Malins Lafone - Victoria Cross

Victoria Cross

Lafone was 47 years old, and a major in the 1/1st (County of London) Yeomanry (Middlesex, Duke of Cambridge's) British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place on 27 October 1917 at Battle of El Buggar Ridge, Palestine for which he was awarded the VC.

His citation from the London Gazette reads:

Maj. Alexander Malins Lafone, late Yeo. For most conspicuous bravery, leadership and self-sacrifice when holding a position for over seven hours against vastly superior enemy forces. All this time the enemy were shelling his position heavily, making it very difficult to see. In one attack, when the enemy cavalry charged his flank, he drove them back with heavy losses. In another charge they left fifteen casualties within twenty yards of his trench, one man, who reached the trench, being bayoneted by Maj. Lafone himself. When all his men, with the exception of three, had been hit and the trench which he was holding was so full of wounded that it was difficult to move and fire, he ordered those who could walk to move to a trench slightly in the rear, and from his own position maintained a most heroic resistance. When finally surrounded and charged by the enemy, he stepped into the open and continued the fight until he was mortally wounded and fell unconscious. His cheerfulness and courage were a splendid inspiration to his men, and by his leadership and devotion he was enabled to maintain his position, which he had been ordered to hold at all costs.

His Victoria Cross is held at his old school, Dulwich College.

Today the 1/1st (County of London) Yeomanry (Middlesex, Duke of Cambridge's) is succeeded by 47th (Middlesex Yeomanry) Signal Squadron