Edward Watson Ford was a native of Mayfield, Sussex, England. He was born there in late 1895 as the third child of farm worker Edward Ford from Fletching, Sussex, and Margaret Ann Watson of the Isle of Skye. He had two older sisters, Dollina and Frances, one younger brother named William and a younger sister, Robina.
By 1911 Edward was living in Waldron, Sussex, working as a blacksmith's improver. His father abandoned the family. That same year, his sister Frances migrated to the United States and worked as a domestic servant. Frances would write home to the other Fords about her new life, and they were then inspired by the stories of Frances and her wonderful life in the States. Frances had written to her aunt Elizabeth Johnston as well.
The family travelled with family friend Phoebe Alice Harknett and the family of his aunt Elizabeth Johnston. Both families decided life would better and it seemed a good idea to leave for America. They took voyage on Titanic in Southampton on April 10. Edward at the time was around 17 or 18 years old.
Margaret and Elizabeth planned to meet their brother Thomas in New London, Connecticut prior to reuniting with Frances.
On the night of April 14 the unthinkable happened, and Titanic made a fatal collision with an iceberg, which damaged her hull in such a way, that she couldn't stay afloat. The ship sank April 15 2:20 A.M., 2 hours and 40 minutes after the collision.
The entire party was lost in the disaster and none of their bodies were recovered.