David Ford DS

David Wycliffe Ford was born in NSW on 20 October 1938. He joined the Corps of Staff Cadets on 11 February 1956. In July 1956 some RMC Cadets were on an activity on Lake George, north-east of Canberra. Some of the Cadets were in the water and David and a fellow Cadet attempted to save them from drowning. Five Cadets drowned in the incident, which according to newspaper reports was caused by a number of factors. For his actions David was awarded the George Medal.(See The Coroner’s Report, The Canberra Times, Friday 21 September 1956.)

David graduated from RMC Duntroon on 9 December
1959. His first posting was at 1 RTB Kapooka, however,
he spent the time of that posting at the RAASC Centre
undertaking his Corps Training. Following this course,
he was posted to 1 Coy, RAASC, Ingleburn. In early 1962 David was posted to the Australian Miscellaneous Detachments, Far East Land Forces in Singapore/Malaya and served with British Service Corps units. In 1963 he was in Vietnam for a week. David was promoted to Captain at the end of 1963. He returned to Australia in 1964 and was posted to 10 Coy, RAASC. When OTU opened, in March 1965 David was posted there as one of the initial staff, arriving even before the appointment of Colonel Geddes who was posted on 1 April 1965.

David’s post-OTU posting was at Headquarters 6 Task Force in 1967. The experience he gained there no doubt led to his appointment to Headquarters 1st Australian Task Force in Vietnam where he served from 24 October 1967 to 5 November 1968. On return to Australia David was posted to the RAASC Centre at Puckapunyal where he was promoted to Major. After a short posting with 112 Supply & Transport Company, in mid-1971 David was posted to the ANZUK Base Transport Unit in Singapore. He returned to Australia in time to commence with the Australian Staff College for 1973. At the end of that year David was posted to Headquarters. Logistics Command. David ended his Regular Army career on 14 February 1977. He transferred to the Reserve and was posted to 3rd Division Field Force Group in Melbourne from where he finally retired, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 8 July 1977.

With the commencement of the Victorian monthly lunches, David attended many of those lunches over the years. He died on 15 November. David leaves behind his partner Christine Edrich, in Melbourne, and a son Damon and daughter Tara, both who live interstate and three grandchildren – “A beautiful, brave, highly respected, funny man loved by all.” David had a private cremation. The association has been informed that there will not be a memorial service for David.

David Ford was a member at The Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and, as a trustee and

Life Governor, gave over 39 years of service to the Shrine, the veteran community and the

people of Victoria.