His sister Rachel Bamford (1885–1974) was in 1911 a student at the Colonial Training College at Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and during the First World War she served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC).

[4] Bamford was 30 years old, and a captain in the Royal Marine Light Infantry during the First World War, when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC).

Captain Edward Bamford's Victoria Cross citation was published in the London Gazette, 23 July 1918: For conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge.

When on the Mole under heavy fire, he displayed the greatest initiative in the command of his company, and by his total disregard of danger, showed a magnificent example to his men.

He first established a strong point on the right of the disembarkation, and when that was safe, led an assault on a battery to the left with the utmost coolness and valour.

Captain Bamford was selected by the officers of the R.M.A & R.M.L.I detachments to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, dated 26 January 1856.

as a leader of the landing party from the Vindictive on the Zeebrugge Mole on St. George's Day, 1918, and he will always be remembered as one of the outstanding heroes of that most gallant adventure ...