Although of Kentish ancestry, Coun. Bashford was a Surrey man, having first seen the light over 70 years ago at the village of Limpsfield. For a career his choice as a young man fell on the scholastic profession. After serving as a pupil teacher under three headmasters at Limpsfield he took a position as an assistant teacher at St. Gabriels School, Pimlico. Leaving St. Gabriel's, he held the position of senior assistant master at the Gray's Inn-Road Schools. At this time he became a student member of the Birckbeck Literary and Scientific Institution, which afterwards became attached to the University of London. He came to Richmond in August, 1881, as an assistant at St. Mary's Schools, generally known in the old days as the "Blue" Schools. At that time the late Mr. Roberts was the head master and Coun. Bashford succeeded him in 1900. The late Canon Proctor was then Vicar of Richmond and Chairman of the School Managers. The Vicar was very much interested in cricket, and at his suggestion Coun. bashford took charge of the school cricket, and later formed the Junior Guild Cricket Club. Coun. Bashford's activities were not, however, confined solely to cricket, and he started a swimming section of the Junior Guild. A football section was also formed, and it was as a result of a match played on Boxing Day, 1882, that Richmond St. Mary's Rugby team was formed. In 1902 Coun. Bashford, with the warm approval of the Rev. Max Binney, who succeeded Canon Proctor as vicar of Richmond, formed a company of the Church Lads Brigade. He obtained his commission as lieutenant the same year, and in the years immediately following the formation of the company received valuable assistance from Ald. H. Dalgarno-Robinson, who was instrumental in providing the company with head-quarters. Others who rendered much appreciated help were Mr. Unsworth Green, Mr. Kirton, Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Douglas Richards.

Coun. Bashford will be best remembered for his great work for the Richmond Habitation of the Primrose League. The Habitation was formed on may 8th, 1885, and was known as the Richmond Knights Habitation No. 396. The founders of the Habitation were Mr. George Ellis (brother of Sir john Whittaker Ellis), Mr. F. G. B. Trevor (for many years the chairman of the Vestry of Richmond), Mr. C. H. Davis, Mr. H. Harding Webb, Mr. Cockell, Mr. John Hodgkin, and Mr. G. C. Rowland. The first hon. secretary was Mr. Harding Webb, and the second Dr. Stanley Mansfield. On the resignation of Dr. Mansfield, Coun. Bashford took over the work, and in November, 1885, the Richmond Dames Habitation (No. 897) was formed. Difficulties arose, and the warrant was withdrawn in 1890, amalgamation of the Habitation following. Coun. Bashford continued as hon. secretary till 1893, when he resigned and joined the executive Councul. At the time of his resignation the membership of the Habitation was 1,232. The hon. secretaries who followed Coun. Bashford were Mr. Godfrey Hertstet, Mrs. Boulter, Miss Trevor, Mr. Albert Chancellor, Mr. R. Hannen, Ald. H. Dalgarno-Robinson, Miss Trevor ( a second term of office), Mr. Gillington. In 1913, Coun. Bashford again took on the work, and held office to the time of his death. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of the services rendered to the Primrose League by the late councillor, whose enthusiasm for the work was shared by his wife. Mrs. Bashford was an active worker in the interests of the League, and Coun. Bashford has on more than one occasion been heard to say that without her help and stimulating influence he could not have carried on.

Coun. Bashford became a member of Richmond Town Council in December, 1926, when a casual vacancy occurred in the representation of the West Ward in consequence of the election of Ald. Mears as an alderman of the Borough. He was opposed bt Lieut.-Colonel Tyrer, but experienced no difficulty in securing the seat, polling 511 votes, against his opponent's 150. His colleagues on the Council soon found work for him to do, and he was placed on the following committees: Education Committee, Elementary Education Sub-Committee, Finance and General Purposes Sub-Committee of the Education Committee, School Attendance Sub-Committee, and the following committes and sub-commitees of the Council:- Executive, Finance Committee, Finance Sub-Committee, Health Committee, Housing Sub-Committee, Child Welfare Committee, Public Library Committee, Surveyor's Committee, and National Savings Committee. On these committees and sub-committees he rendered useful service. At the meetings of the Town Council , the Education Committee, and the Library Committee he was not a frequent speaker, but when he did speak he spoke to the point and was always listened to with attention. He was for some years a member of the now defunct Vestry of Richmond, in the work of which he took particular interest. His association with the Richmond Parish Church went back to the time of his arrival in Richmond. He was for some years in the choir of the Parish Church, and filled the positions of warden and sidesman. He was also a member of the Parochial Church Council. He was a member and hon. treasurer of Richmond BowlingClub, and a member of Richmond Rifle Club. In politics he was a Conservative, and was one of the most active members of the Richmond Conservative Association. He was one of the oldest members of the Richmond Philanthropic Society and of the Richmond Athaeneum, and also a member of the Richmond Branch of the National Union of Teachers, having filled the post of president. He was also an hon. member of the Selwyn Lodge (now Excelsior Lodge) of Oddfellows. During the war he served in the Special Constabulary.