Retired private finally awarded veteran's badge

Laura Titterington has been working with Richard to organise his daily care

A 93-year-old retired army private from Greater Manchester will wear an official veteran's badge for the first time this Remembrance Sunday.

For years, former army cook Richard Dodd, from Sale, did not realise he was entitled to the award, which was first introduced in May 2004 by the then Minister for Veterans.

It was only when an apprentice social worker, Laura Titterington, got in touch with the government on his behalf that Mr Dodd received the recognition of his service.

Ms Titterington, from Trafford Council, is now trying to track down a National Service medal for him, which he should have been awarded after leaving the Armed Forces in the 1950s.

'I didn't expect anything'

Born in Hulme, Manchester, Mr Dodd trained to be a commis chef at the Midland Hotel before his call up which saw him serve as a private with the Royal Army Pay Corps and the Royal Artillery.

“I liked the army, it was something different. I didn’t expect to get anything when I was discharged," he said.

As a chef, Richard Dodd served hundreds of troops at a time, while training fellow kitchen staff

"We shook hands and I went off home. But I’ve since found out I was entitled to an award in recognition of my service."

Mr Dodd would serve hundreds of troops at a time, while using his chef training to teach fellow kitchen staff.

Mr Dodd, whose wife Joyce passed away in 1998, worked at Trafford Park for 35 years after leaving the army.

He praised Ms Titterington, who helps organise his daily care and other support, saying: “She has a lovely personality, she is always smiling.

"She organises things for me and makes my day better, I will never forget her."

After he was discharged, Mr Dodd, who was widowed in 1998, worked at High Voltage Switch Gear Ltd at Trafford Park for 35 years.

His nieces, Samantha and Alison, have also tried over the years to get Mr Dodd his medal and will be accompanying him to the Remembrance Sunday service at St Peter’s Square in Manchester city centre, where he said he would wear his badge with pride.