Alan Ford was born on 10th December 1917 and was baptised at St.Catherine's church, Bearwood on 3rd February 1918.

In 1939 Alan was living with his parents at Forest Lodge in Forest Road. He was already serving in the Royal Air Force at this time.

Alan was a Pilot Officer in 82 Squadron, part of 2 Group RAF, and was based at RAF Bodney in Norfolk. He took off at 14:20 on 2nd April 1941 in Blenheim IV No.Z5818 code named UX-P, probably acting as Observer in the crew of three. They were on an anti-shipping strike by 19 Blenheims of various squadrons off Dutch coast, patrolling Beats E and A.

The aircraft was lost without trace and fellow crew members Sgt. W.C.Haynes, believed to be the pilot, and Sgt A.Lee were also killed. They are all commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.