[Royal Scots] Douglas Ford
Description:
Born:
18 September 1918, Galashiels, Scotland
Death:
Unknown
Pre-war:
Ford was the older son of Douglas Ford, of 25 Bryce Avenue, Portobello. He was educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh where he was an excellent sportsman, and became school captain in his final year, 1936. He then studied accountancy at the University of Edinburgh. As a member of the Officer Training Corps, he was commissioned into the Royal Scots when hostilities began, and posted to Hong Kong. His younger brother James followed suit.
Wartime:
Captain Ford was the battalion Signals Officer on the Gin Drinkers Line and was involved in artillery spotting in the Golden Hill area, being credited with directing British fire away from Royal Scots positions when the Japanese attacked. After evacuation from the mainland, the Royal Scots held positions on the north shore of Hong Kong Island from which they could be sent to any fighting that developed. Following the Japanese landing, in the early afternoon of December 19 Ford led a composite group of Royal Scots (consisting of B Company and a headquarters platoon commanded by Second Lieutenant Hamilton from the HKVDC) via Black’s Link around the south of Mount Nicholson to Wong Nai Chung Gap. Taking command of all Royal Scots in the area, Ford attacked the police post there but they sustained many casualties and fell back to the lower slopes of Mount Nicholson. Late the following evening, the Japanese dislodged them from their positions, and Ford’s group moved back to the St Albert’s Hospital location of Battalion HQ. They slowly fell back, finally holding Wanchai Gap as long as they could after Mount Cameron fell, but by midday on Dec 25th the situation was becoming critical and surrender was inevitable.
Colonel White, Captain Ford, and Private King went through Japanese lines under a flag of truce, and were conducted to a Japanese HQ at 48 Stubbs Road. Later, when the British Army Aid Group decided to set up communications with Shamshuipo (initially via work parties at Kai Tak), Ford took charge for the POWs. The communications escalated into a regular dialogue, soon involving Argyle Street and using ration trucks to convey messages. These covered the state and needs of the POWs and camps, but also plans for breakouts, including a proposed mass breakout of all fit POWs. However, after around nine months the Japanese became suspicious and arrested some of the couriers. Soon they came for the ring leaders, arresting Ford, torturing and interrogating him for months. However, he refused to divulge any information, and – with others - was sentenced to death.
Post-war:
Ford is buried in Stanley Military Cemetery. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross. The citation stated: “Throughout his terrible ordeal, the behaviour of Captain Ford was superb. He refused to implicate any others. He maintained his spirits and those of his fellow prisoners until the end. His self-control, superb heroism, and self-sacrifice in face of the most brutal torture cannot have been surpassed.” The award was made: “in recognition of the most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.”
Awards:
MiD, GC
Further Reading:
Passport to Eternity, Ralph Goodwin
Born:
18 September 1918, Galashiels, Scotland
Death:
Unknown
Pre-war:
Ford was the older son of Douglas Ford, of 25 Bryce Avenue, Portobello. He was educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh where he was an excellent sportsman, and became school captain in his final year, 1936. He then studied accountancy at the University of Edinburgh. As a member of the Officer Training Corps, he was commissioned into the Royal Scots when hostilities began, and posted to Hong Kong. His younger brother James followed suit.
Wartime:
Captain Ford was the battalion Signals Officer on the Gin Drinkers Line and was involved in artillery spotting in the Golden Hill area, being credited with directing British fire away from Royal Scots positions when the Japanese attacked. After evacuation from the mainland, the Royal Scots held positions on the north shore of Hong Kong Island from which they could be sent to any fighting that developed. Following the Japanese landing, in the early afternoon of December 19 Ford led a composite group of Royal Scots (consisting of B Company and a headquarters platoon commanded by Second Lieutenant Hamilton from the HKVDC) via Black’s Link around the south of Mount Nicholson to Wong Nai Chung Gap. Taking command of all Royal Scots in the area, Ford attacked the police post there but they sustained many casualties and fell back to the lower slopes of Mount Nicholson. Late the following evening, the Japanese dislodged them from their positions, and Ford’s group moved back to the St Albert’s Hospital location of Battalion HQ. They slowly fell back, finally holding Wanchai Gap as long as they could after Mount Cameron fell, but by midday on Dec 25th the situation was becoming critical and surrender was inevitable.
Colonel White, Captain Ford, and Private King went through Japanese lines under a flag of truce, and were conducted to a Japanese HQ at 48 Stubbs Road. Later, when the British Army Aid Group decided to set up communications with Shamshuipo (initially via work parties at Kai Tak), Ford took charge for the POWs. The communications escalated into a regular dialogue, soon involving Argyle Street and using ration trucks to convey messages. These covered the state and needs of the POWs and camps, but also plans for breakouts, including a proposed mass breakout of all fit POWs. However, after around nine months the Japanese became suspicious and arrested some of the couriers. Soon they came for the ring leaders, arresting Ford, torturing and interrogating him for months. However, he refused to divulge any information, and – with others - was sentenced to death.
Post-war:
Ford is buried in Stanley Military Cemetery. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross. The citation stated: “Throughout his terrible ordeal, the behaviour of Captain Ford was superb. He refused to implicate any others. He maintained his spirits and those of his fellow prisoners until the end. His self-control, superb heroism, and self-sacrifice in face of the most brutal torture cannot have been surpassed.” The award was made: “in recognition of the most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.”
Awards:
MiD, GC
Further Reading:
Passport to Eternity, Ralph Goodwin
Sources: Photo: Tony Banham
