This year, the CCF arranged for a poppy wreath to be laid on the grave of Acting Brigade Major Captain Garth Neville Walford VC of the Royal Field Artillery. Captain Walford's valour during the Gallipoli Campaign of the First World War exemplified unparalleled courage and leadership, leaving an enduring legacy.
A Hero Amidst the Chaos of Gallipoli
On 25 April 1915, during the Gallipoli seaborne landings, Captain Walford landed with troops under relentless fire and fierce resistance from Turkish and German forces. The British landings on “V” Beach met with devastating casualties, and leadership was nearly decimated as senior officers fell. Despite recovering from severe injuries sustained eight months earlier during the British retreat from Mons, Walford heroically took command of the left flank under the cover of darkness.
Rallying the surviving troops, he orchestrated a bold plan to attack both the town and fort above the landing area. At dawn on 26 April, Walford led the flank in a daring assault, scaling steep embankments and engaging in intense hand-to-hand combat. His leadership secured the town, driving enemy forces out. Tragically, as victory was achieved, Walford was fatally shot at the front of his men. For his extraordinary bravery, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Embodying the "Commando Ethos"
Though Army Commandos were not formally established until the Second World War, Captain Walford demonstrated the qualities now synonymous with the “Commando Ethos”: understanding, overcoming, adapting, and leading with unwavering determination. These principles form the foundation of the modern Future Commando Force led by the Royal Marines. The CCF’s affiliation with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery connected them to this proud lineage, and they honoured Walford’s spirit and mindset in both tradition and dress.
A Tribute to Leadership and Legacy
Captain Walford’s remarkable legacy served as an “inspirational lead” for Stover School’s senior cadet troop, a customary practice within the military. Walford’s personal connection to the region—having lived in Tamerton Foliot near Plymouth—and his memorial in Exeter Cathedral solidified his role as a local hero. On 26 April 2024, the anniversary of his death, the cadet troop honoured him with a solemn service in Exeter Cathedral. Cadets marched with standards into the nave, where the youngest cadets laid poppy wreaths on behalf of the school and the Royal Artillery. This poignant ceremony was a first in living memory for the cathedral staff.
Remembering Sacrifice at Gallipoli
Captain Walford rested in a Commonwealth War Grave cemetery near the beach and town he bravely fought for. On Remembrance Day in November 2024, a battlefield tour led by WO2 Andy Lyons of the Combined Cadet Force Southwest Training Team visited the Gallipoli Peninsula. During this tour, a poppy wreath was laid on Walford’s grave as a symbol of respect for him and all who rested there.
Honouring Commando Gunners
Simultaneously, an identical wreath was laid at the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery memorial outside the main gate of the Royal Citadel on Plymouth Hoe. This tribute honoured the memory of all “Commando Gunners” who made the ultimate sacrifice since the regiment’s inception in 1962.
Upholding Traditions of Service and Sacrifice
Stover School Combined Cadet Force’s tributes to Captain Walford and other fallen heroes reflected their commitment to preserving the legacy of courage, resilience, and selflessness. Through their actions, the CCF instilled these values in future generations, ensuring that the sacrifices of those like Captain Walford were never forgotten.
