British D-Day veteran who survived the landings regardless of being onboard sunk HMS Fratton has died aged 100
A British D-Day veteran who survived the famous landings and a catastrophic assault on his naval ship has died at the age of 100.
Stan Ford, from Bath, suffered life-changing injuries on board HMS Fratton when it came under attack from a suspected German midget submarine off the coast of Normandy in August 1944.
He has been remembered as living ‘a life of profound service and courage’, and as someone who ‘kept alive the memory of his fallen comrades’ by his community.
As a teenager, Mr Ford worked as a runner delivering messages for air raid wardens during the Blitz in Bristol, and later served in the Home Guard.
In the Second World War, he 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.
One August 18, it was rocked by a major explosion that blasted Mr Ford along with his gun platform into the water.
Some 31 crew members died, while 38 survived the explosion.
Mr Ford was pulled from the sea with a broken spine and taken to a field hospital on Gold Beach.
British veteran Stan Ford has died at the age of 100
Mr Ford, left, speaking with King Charles in June 2024 at an event to commemorate the 80-year anniversary of D-Day
Mr Ford, right, was seriously injured when his ship, HMS Fratton, came under attack in 1944
He had to walk with leg callipers for the rest of his life.
After his service, Mr Ford became an ambassador for British Normandy Memorial, a role in which he helped remember the more than 20,000 servicemen and women who died on D-Day and during the Normandy campaign.
He supported efforts to raise funds and awareness for an education centre on the site of the memorial in Normandy.
Mr Ford also met the King after a UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in 2024.
The Normandy Memorial Trust said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by Mr Ford’s death and sent condolences to his daughters Lorraine and Julie, and all his family and friends.
It said in a tribute: ‘We were so fortunate that he visited the Memorial multiple times, all thanks to the support of 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 read: ‘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.’
Speaking after the Royal British Legion’s march past the Cenotaph in Horse Guards Paradein in 2024, Mr Ford said: ‘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.
‘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.’
