The former Bishop of Sherborne has died.

The Right Reverend John Kirkham died on Thursday, October 10 after a short illness.

Bishop John served as Chaplain to Bishop Lancelot Fleming from 1965 to 1969 and as Chaplain to Archbishop Michael Ramsay from 1972 to 1976, when he became Bishop of Sherborne, a post that he held for 25 years.

During that time, he was also Bishop to the Armed Forces, from 1992 to 2001, and the Archbishop’s Adviser to the Headmasters’ Conference.

In retirement, Bishop John was an Assistant Bishop in this diocese.

A spokesman for the Diocese of Salisbury said he was a man of ‘great faith, strength, kindness and gentleness.”

Bishop of Salisbury, The Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam, said: “Bishop John Kirkham was a bishop in this diocese for over 40 years, first as Bishop of Sherborne and then as an Honorary Assistant Bishop. He loved, and was much loved by, the clergy and people. In his retirement he helped at the Spinal Injuries Unit in Salisbury District Hospital where he felt he rediscovered what it meant to be a deacon. He was a faithful shepherd for whom many will give thanks. His marriage to Hester was a great strength and blessing and we remember her in our prayers.”

Bishop John’s funeral will be held privately, but there will be the opportunity to remember him at a service of thanksgiving at Salisbury Cathedral, the details of which will follow in due course.