A WAR hero who helped save the lives of colleagues after their ship was torpedoed has died on his 81st birthday.

Navy engineer John Ford was instrumental in helping save HMS Kenya during a submarine attack during World War Two.

He stayed in the engine room of the ship as it filled with water in order to ensure that it would not sink.

Mr Ford, who lived in Cromwell Street, Blackburn, was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal to recognise his actions which were described as beyond the call of duty.

But despite his heroics, the shy hero never liked to talk about how brave he had been during the campaign.

Chief Petty Officer Ford joined the ship in 1941. It was commissioned in the North Atlantic Fleet for Operation Pedestal on August 10 1942.

The ship went on three convoys to Malta and two to Russia.

It was in Malta when the ship came under attack.

Friend and fellow engineer Douglas Wilson, who served with Mr Ford on the mission to deliver supplies and fuel to Malta, has relived the attack.

He said: "Out of 14 merchant ships only five made it through, including the tanker Ohio. Churchill knew Malta was on its knees by then.

"At eleven minutes past nine on August 13, four torpedoes were tracked heading from the Italian submarine Alagi for HMS Kenya.

"One hit straight on the brow but the admiral sent us ahead. We managed to stay afloat and finished our mission."

Mr Ford's nephew Louis added: "He was trapped in the watertight engine room near the ammunition which could have blown at any moment.

"He managed to get the ship to safety otherwise they would have lost everyone."

A crew of 800 were saved on HMS Kenya and were welcomed with a heroes' salute on their return to Britain.

Sailors who served on the HMS Kenya are expected to join Mr Ford's family for the church service.

The eldest of five children, Mr Ford worked for the textile machinery manufacturers British Northrop and Edgar Pickering from school age until his retirement at the age of 65.

Louis said: "He was a tremendous engineer with a phenomenal reputation for being able to fix any project you put in front of him.

"John enjoyed wood work, was a proud homeowner and had a great love of nature.

"We are a very close family and John will be very sadly missed."

Mr Ford, who died after collapsing at Morrisons in Blackburn, leaves a wife of 57 years, Ann, a daughter and a granddaughter.

He is due to be buried tomorrow in a service to be held at St Joseph's Church in Audley Range, Blackburn, at 9.30am.