Alexander Lafone

Major Alexander Malins Lafone, VC was an English British Army officer and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Background

Lafone was educated at Dulwich College. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Middlesex Yeomanry (Duke of Cambridge's Hussars) on 14 August 1901, fought in the Second Boer War in various regiments, and was invalided in 1901. He was promoted to lieutenant on 27 September 1902. He then stayed on in Africa working for the Colonial Office as an Assistant Resident in Northern Nigeria. Recurrent attacks of fever forced him back to England where he worked and kept up his connections with the Army.

Victoria Cross

His citation from the London Gazette reads: