Ford, Leslie Sydney "Sid"

Date of birth:: (Liverpool/Nova Scotia, Canada)
Date of death:: June 4th, 1943 (North Sea)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Graves Oost-Vlieland
Grave: 63.
Service number:: J/3712
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

Wing Commander Leslie Ford was a flying ace in the RCAF:

5 air victories, three damaged and one Destroyer sunk.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Flight Lieutenant
Unit:: No. 175 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:: June 9th, 1942

"This officer has carried out many operational missions, having been engaged in fighter sweeps and in bombing attacks on land and sea targets. He has participated in two attacks when two mine sweepers and an enemy destroyer were sunk and two destroyers were damaged. He is a keen and zealous flight commander and leader."

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Squadron Leader
Unit:: No. 403 (Wolf) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force
Awarded on:: September 16th, 1942
Awarded for:: Operation Jubilee

"On August 19th, 1942, this officer led his squadron in support of the combined operations against Dieppe with great skill. Several enemy aircraft were destroyed, two of which were shot down by Squadron Leader Ford. Throughout, his inspiring example instilled great confidence in his fellow pilots."

Second DFC received as bar
--
Public Records Office Air 2/8769: also recommendated for a Croix de Guerre dated 20 January 1943. Although it went right through to Fighter Command Headquarters, it was not approved at Air Ministry level, either because the deed had already been covered by the Bar to the DFC or because of Ford's death in action.