Michael Fulford-Dobson (45-49) died unexpectedly but peacefully in Honfleur, France on 15th February 2025 aged 93. He left a wife Barbara, three daughters Jemima, Jessica and Rachel, and six grandchildren. At his funeral at the end of March his coffin was draped in the royal ensign with his Royal Navy cap and sword on top. His nephew Jasper Fulford-Dobson (81-86) was one of the pall bearers who carried the casket from the family home at Cerne Abbey, near Dorchester to the church. A memorial service will be held at Sherborne Abbey, Sherborne DT9 3LQ at 2:30pm on 3rd June 2025.

A retired Captain RN and former High Sheriff 1994-1995 and Lord Lieutenant of Dorset 1999-2006, Michael was awarded the CVO and OBE. At the Nautical College both he and his younger brother Roger (47-51) were known as Dobson. Michael was a Cadet Captain in McQuarie Division, Drum Major in 1949 and a member of the swimming, fencing and boxing teams during his time at the school.

At Pangbourne he passed the exam for Direct Entry into the Royal Navy in March 1949. Subsequently he served in the RN for more than 30 years, specialising in naval communications and holding three sea commands – the fast patrol boat HMS Dark Avenger, the frigate HMS Hardy and the anti-aircraft frigate HMS Jaguar. During the Korean War he served as a Midshipman in the carrier HMS Unicorn. Later appointments included a year in Norfolk, Virginia, USA on the staff of Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, a teaching job at HMS Mercury, and a NATO appointment in Ankara, Turkey

Michael’s life, according to a profile after his death in the Dorset Echo was “full of adventure and service, from traveling the world, sailing, exploring history and nature, to his passion for animals..” Following his retirement from the RN in 1983, he devoted his time to public service. Among many positions he held, he was chairman of the West Dorset General Hospitals NHS Trust, the Dorset Healthcare Trust, and the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Dorset Justices of the Peace.

Deeply involved in charitable work, at various times he was president of the Poole Maritime Trust, the Dorset Scouts and the Campaign to Protect Rural England. At Buckingham Palace he acted as a Gentleman Usher. He was also a senior freemason of the United Grand Lodge of England. Other roles involved being a patron of the British Red Cross, the Dorset Community Foundation and the Bournemouth Society for the Visually Impaired. Interests included the restoration of historic buildings including his home at Cerne Abbey.

After his death his daughters defined Michael’s legacy as one of “warmth, strength, kindness and an unyielding commitment to service. We have been blessed to have had our father for so long. He lived a very rich and bright life – he was very content. He was a wonderful father who was really strong, and he allowed the women in his life to be strong as well…A bright light has been switched off in Dorset.”