A veteran who survived the D-Day landings has died at the age of 100.
Stan Ford “dedicated himself to keeping alive the memory of his fallen comrades”, according to the Normandy Memorial Trust.
Mr Ford, of Bath, suffered life-changing injuries onboard the HMS Fratton when it was sunk off the coast of Normandy on 18 August 1944.
It is believed the ship was sunk by a midget submarine.
He became an ambassador for the British Normandy Memorial, helping to remember more than 22,442 servicemen and women who died on D-Day and during the Normandy campaign.
The Normandy Memorial Trust said in tribute that it was “deeply saddened” to share the news of Mr Ford’s death.
It extended “sincere condolences” to his daughters, Lorraine and Julie, and to Mr Ford’s family and friends.
“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.”
The Taxi Charity For Military Veterans said Mr Ford was 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.”
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Thirty-one crew members died in the HMS Fratton attack on D-Day, with 38 surviving the explosion.
Mr Ford was blasted into the water along with the gun platform he was operating at the time.
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.
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In 2024, after the Royal British Legion’s march past the Cenotaph, 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, I wasn’t strapped in.”
