World War I Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Major, 1st County of London Yeomanry, British Army. At Palestine, Israel, on October 27, 1917, Major Lafone held his position for over seven hours against vastly superior forces. When all his men, with the exception of three had been wounded or killed, he ordered those who could to move to a trench in the rear while he continued to maintain resistance. When finally surrounded by the enemy, he stepped into the open and continued to fight until he was mortally wounded. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross Medal. Alexander Lafone was born in Liverpool on 19 Aug 1870 and educated at Dulwich College. He fought with the Imperial Yeomanry in the Boer War but was invalided in 1901. However, he remained in Africa, working in the Colonial Office in Nigeria. He never fully recovered from illness and had to return to England. He served in WW1 with the Middlesex Hussars and commanded at the Battle of Buqqar Ridge in Palestine where he was part of a lengthy defence of the position against the Turkish attack. When all seemed hopeless he ordered the last three men to retire to another trench while he faced the enemy to make a last stand. He died a hero's death on 27 Oct 1917 and was awarded the Victoria Cross. He is buried in Beersheba Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.
World War I Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Major, 1st County of London Yeomanry, British Army. At Palestine, Israel, on October 27, 1917, Major Lafone held his position for over seven hours against vastly superior forces. When all his men, with the exception of three had been wounded or killed, he ordered those who could to move to a trench in the rear while he continued to maintain resistance. When finally surrounded by the enemy, he stepped into the open and continued to fight until he was mortally wounded. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross Medal. Alexander Lafone was born in Liverpool on 19 Aug 1870 and educated at Dulwich College. He fought with the Imperial Yeomanry in the Boer War but was invalided in 1901. However, he remained in Africa, working in the Colonial Office in Nigeria. He never fully recovered from illness and had to return to England. He served in WW1 with the Middlesex Hussars and commanded at the Battle of Buqqar Ridge in Palestine where he was part of a lengthy defence of the position against the Turkish attack. When all seemed hopeless he ordered the last three men to retire to another trench while he faced the enemy to make a last stand. He died a hero's death on 27 Oct 1917 and was awarded the Victoria Cross. He is buried in Beersheba Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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