D-Day veteran and wartime ambassador dies age 100

1 hour ago

Bea SwallowWest of England

News image — Stan Ford survived the sinking of HMS Fratton and was left with life-long injuries

BBC Stan Ford wearing a dark suit and black Navy cap. He is standing on a train platform beside a wooden bench and some planters. He is looking off to the right of the camera and looks thoughtful. — Stan Ford survived the sinking of HMS Fratton and was left with life-long injuries

A war veteran who survived the D-Day landings has died at the age of 100.

Stan Ford, who was born in Bristol but lived in Bath, Somerset, celebrated his milestone birthday in May 2025, at a party attended by family, friends, and local officials.

Ford served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War and was aboard HMS Fratton when it was torpedoed off the coast of Normandy in August 1944.

He later became an ambassador for the British Normandy Memorial and regularly returned to France to honour fallen soldiers by keeping their memory alive.

Bath and North East Somerset Council Stan Ford wearing a dark suit, adorned with colourful badges and wartime medals. He is standing beside a man and a woman in a council office, with large gold mylar balloons behind him which read '100'. — Ford celebrated his milestone birthday with loved ones on 3 May 2025

His role involved raising funds and awareness for an education centre on the site of the memorial, ensuring that future generations will never forget those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

In a statement posted to social media, the Normandy Memorial Trust said it was "deeply saddened" to share the news of his passing.

"We were so fortunate that he visited the memorial multiple times, all thanks to the support of Spirit of Normandy Trust," they wrote.

"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."

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Richard Palusinski, chairman of the Spirit of Normandy Trust, said of the many veterans they support, there was something "extra special" about Ford.

"Stan was the sort of person who attracted people to love him for what he was," Palusinski told the BBC.

"His personality, his love of life, and the fact that he never let the injuries that he took in the war diminish his sense of humour or enthusiasm."

Palusinski said each time they went back to Normandy, Ford insisted upon visiting his shipmates who were laid to rest at Ryes Cemetery, to "pay them due homage".

"What we need to do is look back at the amazing things that he was able to achieve, and celebrate his life," Palusinski added. "He will be missed by all."

Reuters Stan Ford sitting in the middle of two other veterans during a Remembrance event. They are wearing Navy caps and dark suits, adorned with colourful wartime medals. They are all smiling, with red fluffy blankets resting over their knees and a wreath of poppies on their laps. — Ford (centre) regularly took part in WWII remembrance events to honour the sacrifices made by his comrades

Tributes have poured in for Ford since the announcement, with many paying their respects to a "true hero" and "a loyal and brave man".

As a 19-year-old, Ford was called to serve on HMS Fratton, an escort ship that accompanied ships taking men and supplies across the Channel on D-Day and afterwards.

Ford suffered a fractured spine and injuries to both legs when the ship was sunk in 1944, leaving him with lifelong injuries.

The impact of the explosion was so severe the gun platform he was operating was blown off the ship and into the sea, with him still on it.

He was pulled from the water by a rescue boat after a skipper shouted "that man's alive, get him out".

The attack saw 31 people lose their lives, while 38 crew members survived.

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