Mr Ford (87) received a special long-service award last weekend for his efforts for the organisation which have spanned more than 60 years.
The citation for his award said Mr Ford's military service started at the age of 19, when he joined the army and later served with the Signals Unit of the 3rd Division in the Pacific Islands until being seriously wounded and invalided home in September 1944.
On his return, he joined the Gore RSA and then the Milton RSA before joining the Clutha association. He has served on various subcommittees and the only position he has not filled is the role of president.
Mr Ford was elected vice-president at the same time he was appointed treasurer-secretary in 1970, roles he held until 1984.
But despite these office-bearing roles, the citation said his greatest involvement has been his involvement in the welfare of members. When he was appointed secretary in 1970, he also assumed the role of welfare officer and held this position until 2003.
When the Clutha RSA's welfare trust was formed in 1989, Mr Ford was appointed chairman and held this role until 2006 when he took over the role of secretary.
These and other contributions were recognised when he was awarded the Dunedin RSA's merit award in 1975, the NZ RSA Gold Star in 1987 and life membership of the Clutha RSA in 1999.
"As evidenced by this citation, [Mr] Ford's 42 years of service to the RSA and the community is a record to be proud of and has been of the highest order, which makes him a person worthy of this award."
Apart from his contribution to the RSA, Mr Ford has served on numerous community groups.
