Duncan Scott-Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Duncan Scott-Ford
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Scott-Ford after his arrest
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| Born |
Duncan Alexander Croall Smith
4 September 1921 |
| Died | 3 November 1942 (aged 21) Wandsworth Prison, London, England
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| Cause of death | Execution by hanging |
| Resting place | Wandsworth Prison Cemetery |
| Occupation | Sailor |
| Criminal status | Executed |
| Parent(s) | Duncan Scott Smith (father) |
| Conviction(s) | Treachery Dishonesty |
| Criminal penalty | Death |
Duncan Alexander Croall Scott-Ford (born September 4, 1921 – died November 3, 1942) was a British sailor in the Merchant Navy. He was executed for treachery during the Second World War. This happened after he shared secret information with an enemy agent.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Duncan Scott-Ford was born in Plymouth, Devon, England. His birth name was Duncan Alexander Croall Smith. His father, Duncan Scott Smith, worked as a nurse in the Royal Navy.
Duncan went to the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook from 1933 to 1937. When he turned 16, he joined the Royal Navy. In December 1937, he began his training at HMS Impregnable in Devonport.
His Time as a Sailor
In June 1939, Scott-Ford was serving on HMS Gloucester. His ship visited Dar-es-Salaam. There, he met a German girl he liked very much. Later, British intelligence (MI5) thought he might have told her secret navy codes.
He was also found to have changed his Post Office savings account book. Because of this, he faced a military trial. He was first sentenced to two years in prison and kicked out of the navy in disgrace. However, his mother appealed, and his sentence was changed. He served six months in prison and was then honorably discharged from the navy.
After serving his prison sentence, Scott-Ford was released in July 1941. He stayed with his mother for a short time. They argued about money he had sent home from his navy pay. Scott-Ford accused his mother of using it to buy a fur coat.
Soon after, he joined the Merchant Navy. He was on a ship called the SS Finland. This ship arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, on May 10, 1942.
Sharing Secrets
Soon after arriving in Lisbon, Scott-Ford met a man named Rithman in a bar. Rithman said he could send a letter to the German girl Scott-Ford had known in Dar-es-Salaam. Rithman then offered Scott-Ford 1,000 Portuguese escudos (money) if he could confirm a rumor. The rumor was that all British ships had been ordered to be in port on June 28. Scott-Ford agreed to try and find out.
The next day, Scott-Ford met Rithman and another man called Captain Henley. Henley seemed to be Rithman's boss. Scott-Ford admitted he couldn't find the information they wanted. However, they talked about how people in Britain felt, what they thought of Winston Churchill, and how much damage air raids had caused. Henley gave Scott-Ford 1,000 escudos and set up another meeting.
At the next meeting, Scott-Ford was driven around in a car to confuse him. Then, he was taken to a room. There, he was asked to get more information about British minefields. They also wanted to know about American soldiers arriving in Britain. They even asked for updated copies of books like Jane's Fighting Ships. Henley asked Scott-Ford to sign a receipt for the 1,000 escudos, which he did using his real name.
His ship sailed the next day. When it arrived in Liverpool, all the crew members were questioned. They were asked if any German agents had approached them. Scott-Ford said he had been approached but claimed he had not helped them.
Being Blackmailed
The SS Finland sailed to Lisbon again in July, arriving on July 26. Scott-Ford met the Germans again. He received another 500 escudos for his expenses. He signed another receipt, even though he hadn't been able to get the books they asked for. The Germans then threatened to show the receipts to the British Embassy.
Because of this threat, Scott-Ford gave them details about the convoy he had sailed in. He also told them about its protection, the location of an aircraft factory, and how troops were being trained for an invasion of Europe. At the end of the meeting, he was told to keep notes on the movement and speed of his convoy. He was given another 100 escudos. Another meeting was planned, but Scott-Ford couldn't make it because the Finland sailed for Manchester.
Telling the Truth
On August 18, when the ship arrived at Salford Docks, Scott-Ford was again asked about German agents. This time, he described a man who had asked him about communism in Britain. The authorities already knew from Lisbon that an agent, code-named 'RUTHERFORD' by the Germans, had been talking. So, they arranged to see Scott-Ford again the next day.
Scott-Ford then admitted that he had received 1,600 escudos (about £18 in 1942) for giving information. He was taken into custody and sent to a special center where refugees were checked for German agents. The notes Scott-Ford had made about the convoy were found when his quarters on the Finland were searched.
Trial and Execution
To keep Scott-Ford in custody, an order was issued under Defence Regulation 18B. He was sent to Camp 020, a special questioning center in southwest London. He cooperated with the authorities there. However, he became more and more worried as he understood how serious his situation was.
Scott-Ford was charged under the Treachery Act 1940. His trial was held in private before Mr Justice Birkett. On October 16, he was found guilty. Under the Treachery Act, the only sentence for being found guilty was death. This was the first time Mr. Justice Birkett had to announce a death sentence.
Camp 020 was asked if Scott-Ford should be pardoned. The person in charge wrote that there was no reason to pardon him. Scott-Ford was executed by Albert Pierrepoint at 9:00 am on November 3, 1942, at Wandsworth Prison.
Details of his trial were kept secret until after his death. The newspapers the next day reported that he had betrayed his country for £18 and died because of it. This was meant as a warning to other Merchant Navy sailors who might be approached by enemy agents.
Images for kids
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Scott-Ford after his arrest
