Leslie Sydney Ford J/3712 Wing Commander Royal Canadian Air Force 402 City of Winnipeg Squadron Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar December 30, 1919 Halifax, NS June 21, 1940 Halifax, NS Liverpool, NS 20 5 feet, 7¼ inches medium hazel dark brown Student Church of England Single Theodore Rupert Ford (Father) Liverpool, NS June 4, 1943 22 Vlieland General Cemetery, Netherlands Grave 63 Commemorated on Page 160 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on April 3 Leslie Sydney Ford was the son of Dr. Theodore Rupert Ford and Margaret Irene Ford, of Shelburne, Nova Scotia. He attended Liverpool Grammar School, Liverpool High School and Acadia University where he was a student prior to his enlistment. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross June 9, 1942 and awarded the Bar to the DFC on August 19, 1942. Wing Commander Ford was an ace, credited with destroying six enemy aircraft. He was killed when his Spitfire aircraft # AA980 was shot down in the sea off Holland. On June 4, 1943 RCAF Squadron 402 reported that Spitfire aircraft # AA980 failed to return from a lagoon operation off the Dutch coast. Just before they arrived at the Dutch coast the formation split up, six aircraft turned south and the remaining aircraft lead by Wing Commander Ford turned north about four miles off the coast in loose line abreast. About ten miles off the coast of Texel three “E” boats were sighted. The middle boat was engaged on the port quarter by Wing Commander Ford and Red 2. As they swung into attack Wing Commander ordered Red 2 to open fire. He did so and as a result was almost abreast and on the left of Wing Commander Ford, when they closed on the target. As another aircraft passed over his target, he saw a Spitfire on his left going out very slowly and close to the water. A few seconds later he saw a splash and a tail of an aircraft sticking out of the water. This was assumed to Wing Commander Ford. After this nothing further was heard from Wing Commander Ford. This occurred about 3:00 pm on June 4, 1943. A telegram from the International Red Cross Commission quoting German information stated that the body of Wing Commander Ford was washed ashore on July 14, 1943. An extract from official German totenliste (death roll) No. 169 confirmed the IRCC report and stated that he was buried on July 15, 1943 in the Municipal Cemetery, Grave No. 63, Vlielard, Netherlands.

Photo: Operation: Picture Me

Leslie Ford at right Photo: Operation: Picture Me

Article: Globe and Mail