Derek Dodson

Sir Derek Sherborne Lindsell Dodson (20 January 1920 – 22 November 2003) was a British diplomat. He served as British Ambassador to Hungary from 1970 to 1973; British Ambassador to Brazil from 1973 to 1977; and British Ambassador to Turkey from 1977 to 1980.

Early life and education Dodson was born on 20 January 1920 in Cambridge, the eldest son of Charles Sherborne Dodson, a doctor, and Irene Frances née Lindsell. He was educated at Stowe School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.

Career Dodson joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1939 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and served with them until 1948. During World War II he served in India, and in 1941 transferred to the Special Operations Executive and served with partisans in Greece and Northern Italy. From 1945 to 1946, he was Military Assistant to the British Commissioner of the Allied Control Commission for Bulgaria, and from 1946 to 1947, general Staff Officer at the War Office. In 1945, he was awarded the Military Cross.

Dodson then served as Ambassador to Hungary from 1970 to 1973; Ambassador to Brazil from 1973–77; and Ambassador to Turkey from 1977 to 1980.

Personal life and death Dodson married first Julie Barnes in 1952 and they had a son and a daughter. After she died in 1992, he married Urania Massouridis née Papadam in 1997. and was promoted to Knight Commander (KCMG) in the 1975 Birthday Honours. In 1945, he was awarded the Military Cross (MC). Brazil awarded him the Order of the Southern Cross.