Charles Wilbraham Watson Ford

Brigadier Charles Wilbraham Watson Ford (1896-1972) was a senior officer in the British Indian Army during World War II. He was educated at Cheltenham College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and appointed to the Unattached List for appointment to the Indian Army on 16 December 1914.[1] Ford was appointed to the 35th Sikhs on 11 February 1915.[2]

Charles Wilbraham Watson Ford
Born(1896-07-17)17 July 1896
Staindrop, Durham, England
Died13 October 1972(1972-10-13) (aged 76)
Battle, Sussex, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Years of service1914 - 1947
Battles/warsWorld War One Anglo-Soviet invasion of Persia

He served in Mesopotamia from 2 October 1916 to 26 January 1918 and from 24 June 1918 to 19 January 1919. He was Mentioned in the Dispatches London Gazette on 27 August 1918.[3]

He served during the Afghanistan, North West Frontier 1919 operations and was wounded.[4]

Ford transferred to the 5th battalion 11th Sikh Regiment on 1 February 1922[5] and rose to be appointed Lieut-Colonel commanding on 2 May 1938.[6]

He was appointed acting then temporary Colonel from 9 May 1941 to 1 November 1943. He was also appointed acting then temporary Brigadier from 9 May 1941. He was a Brigade commander from 9 May 1941 to 29 July 1942.[7]

As part of Paiforce (formerly Iraqforce), Ford commanded the 19th Indian Infantry Brigade of the Indian 8th Infantry Division during the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Persia.

He was Mentioned in the Dispatches London Gazette on 17 December 1942 for gallant and distinguished services in Waziristan as Lt-Col.[8]

Ford was promoted to Colonel on 2 November 1943 with seniority from 2 May 1941.[9]

He retired Colonel (Honorary Brigadier) on 1 September 1947.[10]

He died in Battle, Sussex on 13 October 1972.

Command history

  • 1938–1940: Commanding Officer, 5th battalion 11th Sikh regiment, India
  • 1941–1942: Commanding Officer, 19th Indian Brigade, India and Persia

See also

References

  1. London Gazette 15 December 1914
  2. London Gazette 23 July 1915
  3. Indian Army List Supplement 1941
  4. Indian Army List Supplement 1941
  5. Indian Army List Supplement 1941
  6. October 1939 Indian Army List
  7. Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.126
  8. London Gazette 17 December 1942, page 5496
  9. Half Yearly Army List January 1946 p.126
  10. London Gazette 10 October 1947


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