Arthur Russell Ford
Art was born in June of 1922 in the City of Guelph. He was the youngest of five children, with two older brothers and two older sisters. His parents, George (WWI) and Bertha moved to Acton for work at the tannery (Beardmore). Art began working there himself at 13 years of age.
Art volunteered for military service one day after he turned 18, in June 1940. He was assigned to the 12th Canadian Field Regiment RCA who were part of the first wave of troops to land during the invasion of Normandy. At Juno Beach his regiment supported allied landing troops by firing 105mm guns from their landing craft to German positions on the beach.
During his time in Europe, Art saw action in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and finally Germany. He participated in several major battles before being discharged in October 1945, holding the rank of Gunner.
Art told stories of driving artillery trucks with the pins pulled from the grenades he had carefully placed under his seat…his weight preventing them from detonating while he was driving. If the vehicle was about to fall into enemy hands he could run from the truck and the grenades would explode, depriving the enemy of any allied equipment and ammunition.
Art returned to Acton upon being discharge in October 1945, married and had three sons, the family living at 123 Crescent St., Acton. Art worked at the Legion, of which he was a lifetime member along with his wife Joan, for a period before securing employment at AP Green, where he worked for the next 25 years until his retirement.
Art died in 2013 and is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Acton.
Truly a Canadian Hero. His story lives on.
*Submitted to Homes of Heroes Halton Hills by William Ford