We are pleased to share that St Clement Danes has welcomed a new Resident Chaplain at the church. The Reverend (Wg Cdr) Ashley Mitchell KHC started in his post in June 2025. 

Padre Ashley Mitchell is currently serving as the Resident Chaplain of St Clement Danes, the Central Church of the Royal Air Force, and officiating chaplain to MOD Main Building in Central London. Prior to this he was Senior Chaplain at RAF Halton from 2019-2025, responsible for the delivery of whole force chaplaincy. In recent years he has also deployed as the Op SHADER (Air) Chaplain based with HQ 903 EAW at RAF Akrotiri and travelling throughout the BME (Aug -Dec 23) and the Op KIPION (Air) Chaplain around the Arabian Peninsula (Oct 19 – Feb 20).

Prior to arriving at RAF Halton, he was Chaplain to the European Joint Support Unit, based at SHAPE in Belgium, supporting Service Personnel and their families across Europe and Turkey. He has also served as Senior Chaplain to RAF Marham. Previous tours have included RAF High Wycombe as Station Chaplain and SO1 Chaplaincy Personnel, Policy and Plans, RAF Odiham, serving on the directing staff at Amport House, RAF Cosford and as chaplain to ‘Joint Force Harrier’ based at RAF Wittering as well as several Army units. He has served on deployments to the Balkans, Northern Ireland, Belize, the Middle East, Afghanistan, Libya and the Falkland Islands. Born in Swansea, he was educated in Wales, Leeds and Cambridge, where he was prepared for ordination at Ridley Hall Theological College. Prior to serving as a military chaplain, he was Minor Canon of St Asaph Cathedral in North Wales.

Padre Mitchell was appointed Honorary Chaplain to HM King Charles III in 2023.