DORCHESTER’S Corn Exchange was full to bursting as people turned out to remember a popular former sailor and police inspector.

There was standing room only in the town hall at a service to celebrate the life of John Rennie and a speaker was also set up in the magistrates’ room for people to hear the proceedings.

The celebration of John’s public life followed a private ceremony at Weymouth Crematorium in the morning for family members.

As well as his nine-year service in the Navy and a career with Dorset Police that saw him rise to the rank of Chief Inspector in Weymouth, John was also remembered for his efforts helping organisations like the scouts, the Royal Naval Association and charities such as Help for Heroes.

Among the 300-strong crowd at the service were John’s widow and town councillor Molly, daughter Fiona, son Alex and several members of his family from Canada. The service, conducted by minister Leslie Scrase, began with music from John’s MP3 player and included Life on Mars by David Bowie and Cliff Richard’s Constantly.

Those paying tribute included friend and former naval colleague Clive Rawlings.

He said: “John was not just a shipmate, he was my friend.

“In the Navy a friend is not just someone who you go ashore with, it’s someone you share your thoughts with.”

He added: “John, we will miss you mate.”

Former police colleague and friend Ted Ryan spoke of John’s ‘quiet determination to get a job done’.

He added: “John for me was a totally decent, honest man whose integrity was never in doubt. He always did his best to support his colleagues and was always there to offer sensible advice to anybody that asked for help.

“For me and I’m sure for everybody here today John was a great human being and I’m really going to miss him.”

As well as tributes, naval chaplain Richard Buckley also led the crowd in a sailor’s prayer and the dipping of the standard.

Donations in John’s memory went toward the purchase of a hand held thermographic sensor for the Charcot Foot Clinic at Dorset County Hospital, with the remaining funds going to Help for Heroes and Flagship.