Mar 31, 1898

Born at Hastings County, Ontario Canada 

The birth registration records the date as being March 31, 1898, while on Attestation into the CEF below, he stated his birth date as being March 26^th, 1898

Mar 27, 1916

Attested into the 155^th Battalion at Stirling Ontario 

Ø      Number 636922

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Dora Ford (mother) of Box 825 Frankford Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Operator

From a family member it is known he was a Telegraph Operator

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Oct 2, 1916

Will made out leaving estate to his mother, Dora Ford, at Frankford Ontario

Oct 18, 1916

Embarked the SS Northland at Halifax Nova Scotia

Oct 28, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England proceeded to the Bramshott Camp

Dec 5, 1916

Posted to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 6, 1916

Arrived at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Dec 8, 1916

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in Divisional Reserve at Bully Grenay.  At this time they were running training courses, as well as supplying work parties to the Engineers to upgrade the trench system

Aug 15, 1917

Admitted to No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) then transferred the same day to the No 6 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) with a shrapnel wound to his left thigh and scalp

Aug 16, 1917

Transferred to No 2 Stationary Hospital at Abbeville

Aug 27, 1917

Transferred to No 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux

Sep 12, 1917

Discharged from No 5 Convalescent Depot and arrived at No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples

Sep 26, 1917

Proceeded to the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion

Sep 27, 1917

Joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Dec 5, 1917

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from the CCRC 

The Battalion was in the Suburban Camp carrying out training exercises, and took the opportunity to cast their ballots for the Canadian General Election.

Dec 10, 1917

Granted 14 days leave to England

Dec 27, 1917

Rejoined Battalion from leave

Apr 2, 1918            Killed in Action

The Battalion suffered an artillery attack on the night of April 1/2 and Pte Ford was one of 6 men killed in that attack.  4 of the 6 men could not be identified and were buried in graves as an “Unidentified Soldier”.  They are commemorated on the Vimy Ridge Memorial, Vimy France.  Below is from the 21^st Battalion’s War Diary

Apr 8, 1920

Beginning on this date, and on subsequent dates, the following were sent to Mr & Mrs A Ford, parents, at Box 825 Frankford Ontario 

Ø      British War Medal

Ø      Victory Medal

Ø      Memorial Cross

Ø      Plaque and Scroll

Below is a map from the war diary showing the positions of each Company on April 2, 1917.  I have marked in red the area where I believe Pte Ford would have been killed.  If it wasn’t in that spot, it would be in the general area.  The Battalion moved into that position in the early hours of April 2nd from the south.  It is possible that he was killed prior to reaching this line as there is no time given for his death.  This area can be cross referenced to a map of today at Google maps here  Just zoom into the area between Agny and Beaurains, due south of Arras.  Much of this area is still an undeveloped green space and the trench should be easily located today.