Stanford was educated at Perse School. He attended the Training ship Worcester, and served in the Milne, and Ellerman and Bucknall S.S. Lines as 3rd officer. He joined the R.A.M.C on 28th September 1914, and left for the Dardanelles with the 29th Division on 21st March 1915 - entering the war on the 31st. On the day proceeding his death his name was sent up for mention in Despatches for his work during the Gallipoli campaign. One of his officers wrote: "He was a brave, fearless fellow, one of the best boys we had in my section." And another wrote: "Voicing the opinion of the whole corps, he was one of the most popular men, ready to assist in anything which was required, and to help anybody who was in trouble." Stanford was the fourth son of John and Annie Lambert of The Cove, Fairhaven, Lytham, Lancs.