|
Spencer Ford was born on 22nd October 1898 to George and Mary Ford, who were living at Hatch Gate Farm.
Spencer's grandfather had leased the farm from the Bill Hill estate in 1852.
They were very much a Hurst family; both his parents were born in the village
and his grandfather (also named George) was a founder of the
Hurst Horticultural & Cottage Garden Society Show
and was the treasurer and honorary secretary.
By 1911 the family had built a house and store in Davis Street which became known as Lea Heath Stores.
George Ford found the venture so successful that he gave up farming and concentrated on selling animal foods.
In March 1918 Spencer joined the newly formed
149 Squadron
of the Royal Air Force, and served with the squadron for a year.
On 1st April he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
The squadron specialised in night bombing missions above occupied France and Belgium
using F.E.2c aircraft.
The family's association with the
Hurst Horticultural & Cottage Garden Society Show
continued with Spencer being the general secretary (i.e the show manager) from 1920-22,
while his father was horticultural secretary from 1922-24 & 1926.
On 26th October 1923 at St.Nicholas Church Spencer married Olive Perrott of Park Farm, Waltham St.Lawrence.
From the 4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regement War Diary:
|
17 January 1940: The Battalion set sail for France with the BEF early in the war
serving with the 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division under Maj-Gen. B.L.Montgomery.
They took up positions at Tourmignies.
|
| |
|
10 March 1940: Left for Belgium.
|
| |
|
13 March 1940: The Battalion were within the confines of the Gementee woods, close to Leuven.
|
| |
|
17 March 1940: They withdraw, passing through Brussels were involved in a number of conflicts.
|
| |
|
May (late) 1940: The Battalion defending the Albert Canal in Belgium, was overwhelmed by German troops.
Many soldiers of the 4th Battalion were captured and made prisoners of war.
|
| |
|
