D-Day veteran and ambassador Stan Ford dies aged 100

Stan Ford, a D-Day veteran who survived the Normandy landings, has died at the age of 100.

Mr Ford, from Bath, was lauded by the veterans’ community he worked alongside as “a man who lived a life of profound service and courage”, and one who “dedicated himself to keeping alive the memory of his fallen comrades”.

His own wartime experience was marked by tragedy when he sustained life-changing injuries aboard HMS Fratton, which was sunk, reportedly by a midget submarine, off the Normandy coast on 18 August 1944.

Mr Ford later became an ambassador for the British Normandy Memorial, a role dedicated to remembering the more than 22,442 servicemen and women who died during D-Day and the wider Normandy campaign.

He supported efforts to raise funds and awareness for an education centre at the memorial site, and notably spoke with the King after a national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in 2024.

The Normandy Memorial Trust expressed its sorrow, stating it was “deeply saddened” by Mr Ford’s passing, and extended its heartfelt condolences to his daughters, Lorraine and Julie, and all his family and friends.

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In a tribute, it added: “We were so fortunate that he visited the Memorial multiple times, all thanks to the support of the Spirit of Normandy Trust.

“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.”

Mr Ford also gave talks to primary school children to tell them of his experience and the importance of avoiding future wars.

A tribute from the Taxi Charity For Military Veterans said: “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. From being a British Normandy Memorial Ambassador to his involvement with the Bristol Normandy Veterans, Stan’s legacy is one of unwavering strength.”

It added: “Fair winds and following seas, Stan. You will never be forgotten.”

Mr Ford served on HMS Fratton, which escorted ships taking people back to the UK and was stationed off Selsey Bill on the south coast on D-Day.

While a teenager, Mr Ford worked as a runner delivering messages for air raid wardens during the Blitz in Bristol, and subsequently served in the Home Guard.

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Some 31 crew members died in the HMS Fratton attack, while 38 survived the explosion, which blasted Mr Ford and the gun platform he was operating into the water.

He was pulled from the sea and taken to a field hospital on Gold Beach, but he had to walk with leg callipers ever since and fractured his spine due to the force of the explosion.

Speaking to the Press Association in Horse Guards Parade after the Royal British Legion's march past the Cenotaph in 2024, Mr Ford said: “It’s always a great honour to be back on occasions like thi,s but I remember the guys that never came home on my ship when it was torpedoed.

“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 added: “I thank God every day that on the day the boat was sinking that I wasn’t strapped in.”