Sorrow at death of former city RBL chairman Staunch supporter of legion was ‘big man with big heart’

Former army tank transporter John Todd was a stalwart of the Royal British Legion who chaired the Canterbury branch for 10 years.

A father of two sons, he died aged 73 last Thursday after a long period of poor health, but will be remembered with great affection by fellow veterans and friends.

He was working as a bus conductor in Canterbury when he signed up for the army in 1964.

He went on to proudly serve in the Royal Army Service Corps, later to become the Royal Corps of Transport, for 18 of his 22 armed forces years, largely driving The Mighty Antar.

He did several tours of Ireland during The Troubles in the 70s and was in charge of supplying transport for various road patrols, which became known among his fellow servicemen as ‘Todd’s Taxis’.

He also spent many years stationed in Germany but his final posting was with 18 Sqn in Folkestone, where he ran the civilian transport.

In his retirement with wife Jenny at his side as branch secretary, he dedicated his time to the Royal British Legion - especially the Poppy Appeal - and was a familiar figure in Canterbury during the collection.

Branch president Gerry Ferrett, who is due to give the eulogy at his funeral, said the legion had lost a “great character”.

“He was a big man with a big heart and a staunch supporter of the Royal British Legion and what it stands for,” he said.

“We all looked up to and had a lot of respect for John. He was not afraid to speak his mind and always had an opinion.

“He loved to parade behind the Standard on Remembrance Sunday but when he was no longer able to march he was proud to stand at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday at 11am and give the Act of Remembrance for the benefit of the public out and about in Canterbury.

“We consider ourselves very fortunate to have known him and will miss him very much.”

There will be a mass in his memory at midday on Friday, March 22 at St Thomas’s Church in Canterbury, followed by a cremation at 2.40pm at Barham where branch members will form a guard of honour.

‘We were very fortunate to have known him and will miss him very much’