TRIBUTES TO ENGINEER AND COLLECTOR
POPULAR COLLECTOR AND ENGINEER MOURNED
MOVING tributes have been paid to the Grimsby area man who inspired scenes in blockbuster movies Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers.
John Ford died in Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby after a long illness. The 76-year-old used to tell visitors seeking directions to his home near Tetney, “It’s the house with the bomb in the garden.” The 21ft bomb known as The Tallboy was one of many war memorabilia collected by John and his father William.
He was inspired by his father who bought up many of the items that were surplus after the Second World War.
Among them were amphibious landing craft. One was a regular sight on Cleethorpes beach taking visitors on Funderbirds out into the River Humber towards the fort in the river and back to shore at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre. His family recall the large numbers of people who paid the £1 fare for the trip of a lifetime in the modified Stalwart craft from the 1970s.
He also took his DUKW six-wheel drive amphibious landing craft to the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion at Normandy.
His vast collection soon caught the eye of moviemakers, such as Steven Spielberg, who directed Saving Private Ryan and Tom Hanks of Band of Brothers. His equipment was also featured in war film, Memphis Belle, part of which was filmed at Binbrook. The directors’ meticulous attention to detail and having the correct military equipment of the era gave John the opportunity to bring his war memorabilia back to life. John was also a keen engineer and help build part of the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.
For 10 years he gave pleasure rides in the Funderbirds.
His wife Rosemary said: “John was happiest when he was driving his crane. Even when he retired seven years ago he still put on his overalls.”
Born to William and Ann Ford in Cleethorpes, he was a pupil at St James’ School, before going to agricultural college where he graduated as an agricultural engineer. Ford crane hire became a popular business in North East Lincolnshire.
His business card proudly gave contact details of Ford and Sons. On the reverse it said “John Henry Ford, international lover and worldwide playboy.”
A funeral service at St Giles’ Church, Scartho included music from the films in which he and his equipment featured. Rosemary said: “The family dreaded watching any war film as he would often say ‘That’s not right. that vehicle is too late for that time’.”
Rosemary recalled they first met at The New Empire pub in Grimsby and after calling off their first date he regularly waited for her to finish work from Arthur Amos fish merchants in Grimsby. They married in The Virgin Islands in 1981.
“He has left a big hole in all our lives. It was all about his love. We will miss him,” she said.
She added: “Many friends have said how he always had a smile, a tale to tell and he loved a good joke.”
He has left a big hole in all our lives. It was all about his love. We will
miss him.
Rosemary
Ford