Branch Chairman Grant Parrott (left) with Chaplain Ralph Dodds
Following the departure of Rev Lawrie Clow to a new parish in Buckinghamshire, Ferndown Royal British Legion have appointed Ralph Dodds, Lt Commander RN (retired) and lay reader at All Saints Church at Hampreston as their new branch chaplain.
Ralph, who during his time in the Royal Navy saw active service in the Falklands conflict, also flew in Lynx helicopters during the Iran-Iraq and Gulf wars and later commanded HMS Glasgow on a Pacific deployment before beginning his Ministry.
As well as the very public position of leading the branch at remembrance and commemoration services, Ralph will also have a more private role in providing support to members and beneficiaries during times of illness and loss in their personal lives.
Ralph took his first service at the VJ Day Commemoration held in the RBL Garden of Remembrance.
Ralph has most recently worked in Aviation Consultancy and lives with his wife and two teenage children in Longham.
