Robert W Ford: Aka “Phodo Kusho” by Tibetans, was the first foreigner employed by the Gaden Phodrang Tibetan government and a life-long supporter of Tibetan cause.
Born on 27th march, 1923 at Staffordshire, United Kingdom, he served in the Royal Air Force as a radio technician in UK and India during the World War II. In 1945, he joined the British Mission based in Lhasa, Tibet to operate radio and telegraph communication.
It was during this time that Robert had his first ever audience with His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His Holiness was only 11 years old then. In late 1945, he was transferred to Gangtok, Sikkim, India.
In 1947, when India became independent he was then able to fulfill his ambition to return to Tibet. He was asked by the government of Tibet to join its service, he was assigned the task of establishing radio and telegraph office.
He had not only set up the telegraph in Tibet, several Tibetan people were also imparted training. After a year in Lhasa he was asked to go to Chamdo to establish a radio link between Lhasa and Chamdo, thereby expand the Tibetan radio communications network.
In 1950, Mr. Ford along with some ibetan officials was arrested by the Chinese invading forces on the pretext of spying and spreading anti communist Propaganda.
He was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment. In the end of 1954, his trial was held and he was sentenced to 10 years in jail. Eventually, he was released in 1955 and was expatriated from China. In 1957, he wrote a book titled ‘Captured in Tibet’ based on his experience.
The book was re-published in 1990 with preface by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and an epilogue by the author entitled ‘The Occupation’.
In 1957, Mr. Ford joined the British Diplomatic Service during which he served in the Foreign Office in London and at various post around the world.
Mr. Ford was a founder member of the Tibet Society in 1959. Tibet Society is the world’s first Tibet support group and he remained as a Vice-President till his death. He had written extensively and had lectured on all aspect of Tibetan and Chinese affairs to the world.
In 1982, he was awarded the ‘Commander of the Order of the British Empire’.
He used to call himself as the sole living witness of the time when Tibet was independent. He had successfully arranged a meeting between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth of Britain which took place on 17th July, 1996.
Honouring him on his 90th birthday, a formal reception was hosted under the aegis of Tibet Office, London. A 100 srang note of Tibetan currency was presented to him as a token of remembrance for his service to the Gaden Phodrang-Tibetan Government.
The US based international campaign for Tibet honored him the Light of Truth award which was presented to him by His Holiness the Dalai Lama on 13th April, 2013.
Mr. Ford died on 20/09/2013 in London at the age of 90, he was survived by his wife for 55 years, and two sons and three grandchildren. In addition to maintaining special bond with Tibet and Tibetan people, he was a person who gave full support and service for the cause of Tibet.
The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile has passed a resolution to sincerely commend Robert Ford’s accomplishments, and to hope that his great visions be realised. Further, there were prayers that he attains noble rebirth, and profound condolences extended to his family.
