Ken steps down from British Legion role
A Royal British Legion stalwart has stepped down from his long-standing role as secretary of a Black Country branch due to ill health.
Ken Dockerty has given up his post of nearly 10 years with the Stourbridge branch as, at the age of 76, he now suffers from spinal problems. He has also stepped down from his role as a regional care worker for the Legion.
Mr Dockerty had hoped to continue as a care worker but his treatment requires regular visits to hospital. He said it was harder for him to get around these days which had led to his decision.
He led the branch's Poppy Appeal for a decade and during his tenure managed to double the amount of cash donated.
Mr Dockerty handed over the baton for the appeal two years ago following a series of health problems but continued as secretary and care worker. "There comes a time when you simply cannot keep up with the demands," he said.
"I feel the time had come for me to stand down. I am still a member of the Legion and will continue to attend meetings and events. Neither myself nor my wife Joan, who has helped me considerably, are very well these days. I would like to think I have made a difference during the time I have served."
Mr Dockerty first joined the Stourbridge branch of the Royal British Legion in 1954 when it used to meet at the Old Malt Shovel pub in the town.
He moved away from the area for a number of years, serving the Royal British Legions in Penn, Wolverhampton, and Kingswinford during the time.
He returned to Stourbridge in 1990 and unsuccessfully tried to resurrect the Oldswinford branch. The Stourbridge branch asked him to return, and he has been a member ever since.
