Name
Horace Fisher Ford
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/05/1915
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
12982
Canadian Infantry
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GUARDS CEMETERY, WINDY CORNER, CUINCHY
IV. H. 34.
France
Headstone Inscription
Thy Will be Done
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Pre War
Horace was the eldest son of George Robert Fitzroy and Charlotte Diana Ford of 2, Cavendish Mansions, Langham St. Portland Place, London. He was a native of Hitchin born on the 14th December 1889. He was educated privately at the Roan School, Greenwich and St. Francis Xavier's College, Bruges. Later he was known as 'Red'.
He went to Canada in 1906 and settled in Moose Jaw. By 1912 he was the sporting editor of the ‘Moose Jaw Morning News’ and was responsible for the initiation of clean sport in Western Canada. He was influential in the Y.M.C.A. in Moose Jaw and was good at athletics.
Wartime Service
After the outbreak of war he enlisted in the 27th Light Horse under his friend Col. Tuxford and later transferred with him to the 5th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry with the Regimental Number 12982. The Battalion was known as the Western Cavalry and left for Europe with the first Canadian contingent in October 1914. They went to the Western Front on the 7th January 1915. At the time of his death the 5th Battalion was part of the 2nd Brigade in the 1st Canadian Division.
The 5th Battalion was in the area of La Quinque Rue south for about 1 1/2 miles to Givenchy north of La Bassee Canal and engaged in fierce fighting against a strongly fortified position known as Bexhill.
Col Tuxford said that his conduct was always good and he never gave trouble. During the battle they took German trenches and machine-gun emplacements at a cost of 400 casualties, a position attempted on three previous occasions by other units. Horace was wounded and was walking down a trench to a dressing station when a shell killed him instantly.
The Winipeg Telegram said "’Red’ Ford was a character of the great west and in days to come would be remembered as a first-class sporting editor, a lighter and a hero.”
He was buried in Plot 4, Row H, Grave 34 of the Guards Cemetery in Cuinchy in France. Cuinchy is approximately 3 miles east of Bethune. A private inscription on the headstone reads "Thy Will be done".
Additional Information
His brother, Ernest Kendall Ford, was a Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Division.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
