World War II
Ford was still serving in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots, when he and his brother were taken prisoner by the invading Japanese upon the fall of Hong Kong in December 1941. During his captivity at Sham Shui Po POW camp he made contact with British agents and planned, in conjunction with other officers, a major break out. Before the plans could be put into operation the Japanese grew suspicious and interrogated him and others they suspected of involvement. Despite torture in Stanley Prison, starvation and a sentence of death he refused to betray his comrades. After being forced to dig his own grave he was executed by Japanese firing squad, at Big Wave Bay on the 18th of December 1943, with two fellow prisoners, Colonel Lanceray Arthur Newnham, M.C., the Middlesex Regiment, and Captain Mateen Ahmed Ansari, 7th Rajput Regiment, Indian Army (who was beheaded). He is buried in Stanley Prison cemetery.
The citation noted:
| “ | Captain Ford was interrogated, tortured, starved, and finally met his death with Colonel Newnham. 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. | ” |
King George VI approved the award 'in recognition of the most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.'
Captain Ford is buried in Stanley Military Cemetery, Hong Kong, grave reference 1.B.41.
Read more about this topic: Douglas Ford (GC)
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