Ross Stanford

Ross Milton Stanford (25 September 1917 – 11 July 2006) was a South Australian first class cricketer who served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as a pilot during the Second World War, flying Avro Lancaster heavy bombers over Europe. During his military career, Stanford flew 47 operational missions and served in the famed No. 617 Squadron RAF. He also represented the Australian Services XI at cricket, playing games in England, India, Ceylon and Australia before being demobilised in 1946. In civilian life, Stanford ran his own market garden business, worked for the State Bank of South Australia and had an unsuccessful political career. He was also known for his charity work in Adelaide.

Early life Born in Fulham, South Australia, Stanford's parents own a market garden. Growing up he was a keen cricketer and as a 14-year-old scored 416 not out while playing for Lockleys Primary against Richmond Primary. At the time it was a world record for a schoolboy. His success resulted in a scholarship to Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. He continued his interest in cricket after completing his schooling, joining the West Torrens District Cricket Club. He went on to make his first-class cricket debut as an 18-year-old, playing for South Australia against Tasmania in the Sheffield Shield at the Adelaide Oval in February/March 1936.

His debut proved unsuccessful. Joining Donald Bradman at the crease, Stanford was run out without scoring, with a team-mate later explaining that Stanford had been very nervous. He did not bat again and was dropped from the team for the next match. After completing pilot training, Stanford was posted to No. 467 Squadron RAAF in August 1943, stationed in the United Kingdom. He remained with the squadron until February 1944, when he was posted to No. 617 Squadron RAF, which also flew Lancasters. During his time with No. 467 Squadron, Stanford flew 23 operations and was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross. His first operation was flown on the night of 5/6 September 1943 against a target in Mannheim. and an attack on the railway tunnel at Saumur with 12,000-pound Tallboy bombs in the days following the landing. He reached the rank of flight lieutenant and was later seconded to the Ministry of Aircraft Production to visit aircraft manufacturing plants to speak to workers. He died on 11 July 2006, at the age of 88, at Kilburn, South Australia. He was married to Joyce, with whom he had two children, Greg and Cynthia; he was survived by his son.