THE Rev Prebendary Vere Hodge, born in Bere Regis on October 31 1919, was awarded an MC in 1943 in the invasion of Sicily and was subsequently ordained as a Priest.

The war hero was serving with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment when he dropped behind German lines on the Catania Plain in June that year.

He was in command of a naval bombardment observation post during the operation to secure the Primasole Bridge linking Catania with Syracruse.

But in the early hours of the morning, the enemy launched a counter-attack before the battalion’s heavy weapons were in place.

Despite the dangers, Rev Hodge moved his post forward under heavy fire and directed the fire of the cruiser Newfoundland’s six-inch guns so that the attacking infantry sustained considerable losses.

He died on December 15 at the age of 94.

The reverend studied English literature and theology at Worcester College in Oxford before enlisting in the Army in May 1940.

He later qualified as a parachutist and, in 1943, was appointed to No 1 Combined Operations Bombardment Unit, which comprised gunner captains and signallers and Royal Navy telegraphists.

On the night of June 5 1944, Rev Hodge travelled with 7 Para, in 5th Parachute Brigade, part of 6th Airborne Division, to prepare for D-Day.

The party fought at Ranville after the bridge was captured and he used the top of a church tower to engage with battleship Ramillies.

After the war, Rev Hodge entered the church and was ordained in 1948.

He became the first Bath and Wells Diocesan Rural Affairs chaplain in 1979, and retired in 1984.

However, he continued to work, leading the team which organised the financing and building of Glastonbury Abbey’s visitor centre.

From 1984 to 1988 he was chaplain to the Yeovil and District branch of the Churches’ Fellowship for Psychical and Spiritual Studies.

In 1979 he had been appointed Prebendary of Wells Cathedral, an honorary title awarded in recognition of his long and exemplary service to the diocese.

He was for many years chaplain to the Bombardment Units Association.

Vere Hodge married, in 1942, Eleanor Connor. She predeceased him and he is survived by their two sons and a daughter.