'I was devastated when my grandma died but the Royal British Legion helped me see her for the last time'

A grieving Royal Navy sailor was able to see his grandma for the final time despite being thousands of miles away.

Denis Ogalo joined the force and moved to Portsmouth from Kenya thanks to the support from his grandma. After both of his parents died when he was young, she was the main parental figure in his life as he grew up.

The Logistics Able Rate was struggling financially when he was told his grandma died in East Africa. He approached the Royal British Legion (RBL) for support, with his case officer working above and beyond to arrange funding and flights within days - allowing him to say goodbye.

AB Ogalo said: “With being able to go home, I got to see my grandmother for the last time, and I felt relieved. I was there, because someone, who doesn’t know me cares, and I was there because of them.

“Although she is no longer with us, her influence continues to shape who I am today. She was incredibly proud of my decision to join the Royal Navy and always encouraged me to pursue opportunities that would help me build a better future. I truly believe that much of what I have achieved is because of the values she instilled in me from a young age.”

The 28-year-old saw his dad died when he was two, and his mum when he was five. He described his grandma as “the most influential person in his life”. “She taught me resilience, discipline, humility and the importance of never giving up, regardless of the challenges I faced,” he added.

AB Ogalo learned how to cook when he was five, and took on other adult responsibilities to help care for his siblings. He said these experiences influenced his decision to join the Royal Navy, so he could experience structure, discipline, and a sense of belonging within a group. “My family in Kenya were supportive when I decided to join the Royal Navy, although it was naturally difficult for them to see me move so far away,” he added.

“As a Commonwealth national, I travelled directly from Kenya to the United Kingdom specifically to join the Royal Navy. It was one of the biggest decisions of my life. One of the main reasons I joined the Royal Navy was the opportunity to serve, develop myself and be part of something bigger than myself. The Navy has given me opportunities that I could never have imagined growing up, including professional development, leadership training and the privilege of working alongside dedicated people from many different backgrounds.”

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The sailor originally reached out to the RBL - on advice from his Naval Chaplain - due to financial challenges. The charity gave him a washer dryer, fridge freezer, and supporting sofa for his wife, who lives with severe fibromyalgia. His four-year-old son Anchor lives in Kenya with his aunt.

Armed Forces Week is particularly meaningful to AB Ogalo because it recognises the contributions of the men and women who serve, while also highlighting the sacrifices made by families who support us. “I am grateful for the opportunities the Royal Navy has given me and proud to play my part in serving the country,” he said.

“I am proud to wear the uniform and represent both my Kenyan roots and the United Kingdom, which has given me so many opportunities. My son is extremely proud that I serve. One of our favourite activities is exercising together. We often do push-ups side by side, although he calls them ‘bending and stretching’.

“Those moments always make me smile and remind me why I work so hard. I hope that through my service I can show him the importance of dedication, perseverance and serving others.”