Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Munford, a farm team man, born 1865 in Drayton, Norfolk and his wife Jane Munford (nee Perriment, married in the 1st quarter of 1885 in the Blofield, Norfolk district), born 1865 in Postwick, Norfolk. Henry was born on the 16th February 1892 in East Wretham, Norfolk, his siblings were William, a farm labourer, born 1886 and Charles, a farm labourer, born 1887, the latter two siblings were both born in Norwich, Norfolk, Frederick James, born 11th October 1889 in St. Faith’s, Norfolk, Emma, born 1897 in East Wretham and Arthur, born 1900 in Hockham, Norfolk, in March 1901 the family home was at Hill Farm Cottage, Hockham, Wayland, Norfolk. In April 1911 Henry was employed as a farm labourer and horseman and was residing in the family home at Mr. Shead’s Lodge, Great Casterton, Rutland, together with his father, a farm horseman, his mother and siblings, Charles, a farm labourer, Arthur, a schoolboy, Jane, a schoolgirl, born 1904 in Beckles, Norfolk and Lily, born 1908 in Stow, Norfolk. Henry’s parents later lived in Whitwell, Rutland. In the 2nd quarter of 1916, Henry married Florence Addison in the Stamford, Lincolnshire district, Florence was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Addison of Walk Farm, Little Casterton, Rutland. Henry and Florence had two children, Henry J., born 1916 and Florence H., born 1918, both children were born in the Stamford, Lincolnshire district. Henry’s widow latterly resided at Frisby’s Buildings, Scotgate, Stamford. Henry joined the Army in 1911-1912, embarking for India with his regiment in 1914, and upon the outbreak of war he immediately proceeded to the Western Front. He took part in the memorable battle and retreat from Mons, and was awarded the Mons Star. He was wounded on two occasions, and after recovery returned to the firing line, being killed in action less than two months before the armistice was signed having served throughout the campaign. His elder brother Frederick James fell less than two weeks after him. The family name has been variously recorded as Mundford, Mumford and Munford, and it is the latter spelling that was officially recorded at birth for Henry and all his siblings.
The War Diary for today records that the Battalion were in the Jean Devaux Wood sector. At 2.30am the Battalion moved direct to positions in S.1.d. and S.7.b. Very unpleasant journey owing to heavy rain, dense mist and heavy shelling of Holnon and St. Quentin Woods. Concentration area eventually reached about 7.30am, about 50 casualties having been sustained en route. Weather very bad. Quite impossible to ascertain what was happening forward for the time being as there was no communication except by runner, owing to the thick mist no messages received for several hours. At 11.30am orders received from Brigade to move to positions between road junction M.32.d. and Kirchner Copse M.33.b. and dig in facing Strong Point in S.3.c., S.4.d. which was still in possession of the enemy. 16th Infantry Brigade on left were reported to have been successful, and the object of the move was to protect the right flank of the Brigade from possible counter attack from the Strong Point. French troops on our right were also held up. At 12.30pm Battalion moved to new positions, heavy hostile shelling encountered causing a number of casualties, and the Battalion did not reach the new position until 4.00pm. Battalion HQ’s established at S.2.a. 30.20. At 7.00pm advice was received from Brigade that 2nd Sherwood Foresters and 9th Norfolk Regiment would make a further attack on the Quadrilateral, the Strong Point which had held up the attack in the morning. At 10.00pm 1 Company 11th Leicestershire Regiment (Pioneers) reported to assist the Battalion in digging in, in their new positions. Casualties, other ranks A Company 2 killed, 12 wounded. B Company 2 killed, 4 wounded. C Company 1 killed, 11 wounded. D Company 4 killed, 12 wounded. 2nd Lieutenant G Stevenson and Lieutenant T.O. -?- wounded.