Courageous Brethren - Thomas Mugford #422

Thomas Mugford’s Family:

Thomas Mugford was born in Chiswich, son of the late John H. Searle Mugford and of Helena Phoebe Mugford of 16 Oliver Avenue, and of 44 Stanger Road, South Norwood London.

Education & Career:

Educated at Birchanger Road, School, South Norwood.

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

Post War includes all operations in all theatres up to 31st August 1921. This excludes the campaign in Russia against the Bolsheviks. It also includes men who succombed to wounds post war and who died from various causes whilst still in the services but post war.

Previously a Sergeant with the Royal West Surrey Regiment (The Queens). Service No. T/1273. Mobilised with the 4th Battalion 4th August 1914 witnessing the opening days of the war in France and Belgium. 

He then, in October 1914, proceeded to India serving until receiving a commission in May 1917 with the 35th Battalion, The Sikhs. Service No. 200146. He fell in action at Somerset Hill, Khyber Pass, Afghanistan on the 17th May 1919 and was buried, 2 days later at the British Cemetery at Landi-Kotal.

Lieutenant Thomas Mugford is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) which stands at the eastern end of Kartavya Path and is only accessible between the hours of 0900 and 1700 due to security measures.

Detail: Thomas Mugford

General Skeen quickly made his dispositions. The howitzers came into action on the open ground west of the mouth of the defile, where they were able to bring enfilade fire to bear on Somerset Hill and oblique fire on Sikh Hill.

The machine gun company were posted on a small mound 1,000 yards north of the howitzers in an equally favourable position. The 21st Gurkha Rifles were formed up on the left of the machine guns, and the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment (West / East) were ordered to form on the right of the mound. There two battalions were the general reserve.

Unfortunately, the 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment mistook the verbal orders given to them and moved off to participate in the attack. Owing to the broken nature of the country, their advance was not noticed by General Skeen, who had ridden on to camp to confer with General Crocker. As they approached Sikh Hill, the Yorkshire opened fire on the two companies of the 1/35th Sikhs, who were in position on the slope. Before this fire could be stopped, two Officers, one Indian Officer and seven men of the headquarters of the 1/35th Sikhs had been hit.

The attack was timed to start at 1400hrs. The fire of our howitzers, however, was so accurately and deadly that the Afghans commenced to retire soon after 1300hrs. Colonel MacMullen perceived this and decided to advance. He placed himself at the head of his men, firing his Very pistol as he went to inform the artillery of the progress of his advance, and reached the summit at 1355hrs.

The 2nd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry then moved forward, and, carrying the 1/9th Gurkha Rifles with them, took Somerset Hill without difficulty. The enemy dispersed so rapidly that the 1/35th Sikhs, who had been sent round the northern spur of Somerset Hill to intercept the retreat, were unable to inflict any loss on them.

Casualties during the day were:-

Killed:
Lieut. R.P. L. Adams - 1/35th Sikhs
Lieut. Thomas Mugford - 1/35th Sikhs
Lieut. A. C. Henderson - 1/9th Gurkha Rifles
Indian Officers - 8
British other ranks - 3
Indian other ranks - 20

Citations & Commemorations:

Baptist Church Memorial, South Norwood, Greater London.
St Marks Church - WW1 Memorial, South Norwood, Greater London.
Delhi Memorial (India Gate) Face 3

Masonic:

This Roll of Honour post has been created by the West Kent Military lodge for information, with special thanks to Cher-Leigh Eyles-Thomas for her time researching the content. If you would like to now more about the Lodge contact us here