Bedford was born on 21 December 1892 at Forest Gate, London, England. He came to Ceylon to join the tea plantation at Kandaloya, Dolosbage, where he was Assistant Superintendent from 1917 until 1923. He was commissioned as an officer to the British Army Indian Army Reserve at Bangalore from 15 January 1918 until 27 May 1918 at the War History Training School. He was later attached to the 3rd Sappers and Miners in Khyber Pass on 26 June 1919.