MGen AE Walford CB, CBE, MM, ED (1896-1990)

MGen AE Walford CB, CBE, MM, ED (1896-1990)

Major-General Alfred Ernest Walford was born in Montreal on 20 August 1896.  He received his education at Westmount, Quebec.  Employed as an accountant with the family firm, he later accepted a financial advisor and secretary-treasurer position with the firm of James A. Ogilvie and Sons of Montreal.

In September 1914, he enrolled in the local unit, the 58th Westmount Rifles and served as a signaller.  One year later, he enlisted in the 3rd Canadian Siege Battery of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and went overseas in December 1915.  In June 1916, the battery, (often referred to as “Cape’s Battery” after its first commander), was in action at the Somme.  Here, as a Corporal with the 12th Canadian Siege Battery, he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field and promoted Warrant Officer Class II.  He continued to serve with the 12th until the Armistice.

On return to Montreal, he continued to serve in the Non-Permanent Active Militia as Battery Commander of 7th Medium Battery from 1927 until 1934.  On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded the 2nd Medium Brigade until the outbreak of the Second World War.  He was immediately appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant General of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, and in December 1939, he once again went overseas.

While in the United Kingdom, he served as Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General (AA & QMG) with the 1st Division and on promotion to Brigadier, in a similar capacity at Canadian Corps Headquarters.  Later, when the First Canadian Army trained for the invasion of Europe, Brigadier Walford assisted at Headquarters.  He was mentioned-in-Dispatches for his work on the Normandy campaign.  In the fall of 1944, he gained the rank of Major-General and the position of Adjutant General.

In late 1944, he received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In early 1945, he received the Legion of Merit by the United States.  Before his retirement in early 1946, Major-General Walford received the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.

Returning to the world of business, Major-General Walford headed Henry Morgan Company Limited of Montreal, a large company interested in finance and real estate.  In 1947, he accepted the appointment of Honourary Colonel of Headquarters 3rd Canadian Division.

As an active leader in his community, he held many positions, serving as Governor of McMaster University, Treasurer of the Montreal Board of Trade and Commissioner of the Montreal Metropolitan Area Boy Scouts.  He became the first Canadian President of the Federation of Commonwealth and British Chambers of Commerce.

Major-General Walford died at age 94 in Montreal, after a life of service to his country and his Regiment.