07-Feb-2026

Normandy Veteran and Memorial Ambassador has died aged 100

The Normandy Memorial Trust is deeply saddened to share the news that Stan Ford has passed away, aged 100.
We extend our sincere condolences to Stan’s daughters Lorraine and Julie, and all his family and friends.

Stan was a Normandy Veteran and Memorial Ambassador. 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.

 

In 2022, Stan became Memorial Ambassador.

Stan had a keen interest in supporting the Trust to raise funds and awareness for an Education Centre on the site of the Memorial, ensuring that future generations will never forget the debt of gratitude owed to all those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

 

 

Stan in 1943 after receiving his call-up papers to join the Royal Navy.

As a 19-year-old, Stan served on HMS Fratton, an escort ship that accompanied ships taking men and supplies across the Channel on D-Day and afterwards.

Stan on his wedding day with wife Eileen, on 25 August 1948.

HMS Fratton was sunk, believed to be by a midget submarine, off the Normandy coast on 18 August 1944. 38 of the ship’s crew were picked up, however 31 lost their lives. The explosion was so severe that the gun platform that Stan was operating was blown off the ship and into the water, with Stan still on it. Stan was pulled from the sea and taken to a field hospital on Gold Beach. The injuries he sustained have meant that he has had to walk with leg callipers for the rest of his life.

 

Stan also connected with the daughter of one of the men who lost their lives on HMS Fratton. We are proud to have been able to share the story of William Wallace thanks to his daughter Val, husband Philip and of course Stan.

 

Val and Stan standing beside the graves of the men of HMS Fratton and the grave adopted by Val in Ryes Cemetery, 2010