D-Day Veteran and Normandy Memorial Ambassador Stan Ford Dies at 100
Tributes are pouring in for Stan Ford, a D-Day veteran and ambassador for the British Normandy Memorial, who has died at the remarkable age of 100. He is remembered as a man of profound service and courage who dedicated his life to honouring his fallen comrades.
A Life of Service and Remembrance
Stan Ford, from Bath, survived the D-Day landings but suffered life-changing injuries when HMS Fratton was sunk off the Normandy coast on August 18, 1944. The vessel was believed to have been attacked by a midget submarine. In the tragic incident, 31 crew members lost their lives while 38, including Ford, survived the explosion that blasted him and his gun platform into the water.
Rescued from the sea and taken to a field hospital on Gold Beach, Ford endured lasting effects from the ordeal. He had to walk with leg callipers thereafter and fractured his spine due to the force of the explosion. Despite these challenges, he channeled his experiences into a mission of remembrance.
Ambassador for the British Normandy Memorial
In his later years, Stan Ford became an ambassador for the British Normandy Memorial, a role dedicated to honouring more than 22,442 servicemen and women who died on D-Day and during the broader Normandy campaign. He actively supported fundraising and awareness efforts for an education centre at the memorial site in Normandy.
His commitment was recognised in 2024 when he spoke to the King after a UK national commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The Normandy Memorial Trust expressed deep sadness at his passing, extending condolences to his daughters Lorraine and Julie, along with all family and friends.
"We were so fortunate that he visited the Memorial multiple times, all thanks to the support of Spirit of Normandy Trust," the trust stated. "He dedicated himself to keeping alive the memory of his fallen comrades and was a true friend of the Memorial. Stan, we will miss you."
Legacy of Education and Courage
Beyond his ambassadorial work, Stan Ford engaged with younger generations, giving talks to primary school children about his wartime experiences and the importance of avoiding future conflicts. His early life included serving as a runner for air raid wardens during the Blitz in Bristol as a teenager, followed by service in the Home Guard.
The Taxi Charity For Military Veterans paid tribute, noting: "Today we honour a man who reached the incredible milestone of 100 years, but more importantly, a man who lived a life of profound service and courage. A survivor of the sinking of HMS Fratton in 1944, Stan spent his life keeping the memory of his 31 fallen comrades alive."
They added: "Fair winds and following seas, Stan. You will never be forgotten."
Personal Reflections and Duty
In a poignant reflection shared with the Press Association in 2024 after the Royal British Legion's march past the Cenotaph, Stan Ford emphasised his sense of duty. "It's always a great honour to be back on occasions like this but I remember the guys that never came home on my ship when it was torpedoed," he said. "They never came home, and I always feel it's my duty to put in an appearance and thank God for those that did survive, and to pray for the ones who didn't."
He also expressed gratitude for his own survival, stating: "I thank God every day that on the day the boat was sinking that I wasn't strapped in." His words underscore the humility and resilience that defined his character, leaving a lasting legacy of remembrance and inspiration for future generations.
