Hurst War Memorial, St.Nicholas Church, Hurst, Berkshire
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Ford, Spencer George

Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross
1939 - 1945 Star
1939 - 1945
Star
1939 - 1945 War Medal
1939 - 1945
War Medal
1914 - 1919 Victory Medal
1914 - 1919
Victory Medal
1914 - 1920 British War Medal
1914 - 1920
British War Medal
 
Major Spencer George Ford (28330)
Died on Monday 20th May 1940, aged 42
 
4th Bn., Royal Berkshire Regiment
 
Son of George and Mary Elizabeth Ford, of Hurst, Berkshire; husband of Olive May Ford, of Hurst.
 
Buried:St. Leger Churchyard
Grave 2.
 

Spencer Ford was born on 22nd October 1898 to George and Mary Ford, who were living at Hatch Gate Farm. Spencer's grandfather had leased the farm from the Bill Hill estate in 1852. They were very much a Hurst family; both his parents were born in the village and his grandfather (also named George) was a founder of the Hurst Horticultural & Cottage Garden Society Show and was the treasurer and honorary secretary.

By 1911 the family had built a house and store in Davis Street which became known as Lea Heath Stores. George Ford found the venture so successful that he gave up farming and concentrated on selling animal foods.

In March 1918 Spencer joined the newly formed 149 Squadron of the Royal Air Force, and served with the squadron for a year. On 1st April he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. The squadron specialised in night bombing missions above occupied France and Belgium using F.E.2c aircraft.

The family's association with the Hurst Horticultural & Cottage Garden Society Show continued with Spencer being the general secretary (i.e the show manager) from 1920-22, while his father was horticultural secretary from 1922-24 & 1926.

On 26th October 1923 at St.Nicholas Church Spencer married Olive Perrott of Park Farm, Waltham St.Lawrence.

From the 4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regement War Diary:

17 January 1940: The Battalion set sail for France with the BEF early in the war serving with the 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division under Maj-Gen. B.L.Montgomery. They took up positions at Tourmignies.
 
10 March 1940: Left for Belgium.
 
13 March 1940: The Battalion were within the confines of the Gementee woods, close to Leuven.
 
17 March 1940: They withdraw, passing through Brussels were involved in a number of conflicts.
 
May (late) 1940: The Battalion defending the Albert Canal in Belgium, was overwhelmed by German troops. Many soldiers of the 4th Battalion were captured and made prisoners of war.
 

 

 

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun, and in morning
We will remember them.
Lawrence Binyon