I had a fascinating visit today at the Royal Chelsea Hospital. The occasion was the annual visit by the Commando Veterans for parade, service and lunch, (with an interim in the bar of course). One thing I’d never appreciated about the Hospital is its size and the grounds it occupies, and all this in the heart of London. “ The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded by King Charles ll in 1682 as a retreat for veterans of the regular army who had become unfit for duty, either after 20 years service or as a result of wounds. The provision of a hostel, rather than a system of pensions, was most likely to have been inspired by the Hotel Des Invalides in Paris, founded by Louis XlV in 1670, about which Charles had received glowing reports from his son, the Duke of Monmouth. Because the royal revenue was inadequate for the needs of the country, Charles received no help from the Treasury for this ambitious project. Responsibility for the future hospital was taken up by Sir Stephen Fox, who had been Paymaster General for many years, and he purchased the land for the hospital. Together with a contribution of £7000 donated by the King and Fox's own surrender of his commission, the Hospital was built. Deductions from army pay and pensions continued to be the Hospitals main source of income until 1847. Since that date it has been supported by Parliamentary votes and a small income from the Hospitals' own property and bequests. There are approximately 360 In-Pensioners who are drawn from Out-Pensioners of good character and who are at least sixty-five years of age. Younger men may be admitted if it is certified that they are unable to earn their living as the result of a disability caused by service. On entering the Hospital an old soldier surrenders his army pension in return for board, lodging, clothing and medical care. [He retains his State pension and any money of his own he has.] The military organisation of the Hospital has been preserved, and the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are assisted by an Adjutant, three Medical Officers, a Chaplain, a Quartermaster and six Captains of Invalids who command the six Companies of In-Pensioners. The scarlet coats and ceremonial tricorn hats are a modernised version of the service dress of Marlboroughs' time. Parades are now generally limited to those before Matins on Sundays and Founders Day. On Oak Apple Day, 29 May, the Chelsea Pensioners parade in the courtyard and dress the statue in oak leaves and branches to commemorate the King's birthday and his escape from the Battle of Worcester, 1651, when he hid in the Boscobel Oak.” Though the Hospital can house 400, 360 seems to be the usual level. Most men live in the main wings which provide each man with his own space of approx. 6 feet 6 inches x 9 feet. His room has bed, wardrobe, chairs and window. He can put up his own choice of pictures, shelving is put up for him on request and most men elect to buy a TV, video, radio and such. Along the wings are communal washrooms and bathrooms. Currently 35 men permanently live in the infirmary as they require constant care. Outside of their private room, the men are free to enjoy the whole of the complex buildings and grounds. Essentially everything is provided for them and all they need is ‘pocket money’ which, at the very least, their State pension provides. Their bar is very inexpensive, yet many say if they go out to a pub, they usually only have to pay for the first drink if that. They’re old, not daft. They keep their red coats and tricorn hats for special occasions and usually walk-out in their ‘blues’ tunics and Royal Hospital caps. While their clothing is provided, they pay their own cleaning bills and the red coats cost £17 a clean ($26). 100% of all medical needs are provided including electric buggies for those want or need to use one for longer distances. Wearing ‘blues’ and ‘RH’ cap, on electric buggie A big financial boost comes each year with the Chelsea Flow Show who hire part of the river-side grounds for the exhibition. Contrary to some info I’ve seen, the men there do not have to be bachelors meaning ‘never married’. They do have to be free of spouse or dependent responsibilities, meaning some men have no family left, but some are widowers whose children are grown-up and independent. Architecturally, the hospital is most noted for its Chapel, Great Hall, State Apartments and museum. The grounds are also very pleasant. Entrance to the hospital is free, Monday to Saturday 10 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm. Sunday opening is restricted to the afternoons though the chapel is open for morning services, (next door is the separate Army National Museum). On services, the vicar advised next week the BBC is filming an episode of ‘Songs of Praise’, to be televised during the Chelsea Flower Show in May. He also described the contrived set-up. The BBC tell the choir what hymns they want sung. The record over two days and the congregation has to attend both days. On the first day they get the microphones out and do the sound recording. On the second day they hide the mics and films the scenes. The programme that goes out is a composite edit of the two days –what a cheat! No.9
Good one 9....I often go to the lest we forget outings as a holder of a war pension. Can remember as a serviceman going to some lest we forget day outs as a helper..What goes around comes around.. Do some good days out, Ascot races, Fairford this year, garden parties and trooping the colour etc... Lots of younger faces these days but still a good sprinkling of the older guys. And before anyone asks, the war pension is for disablity caused by service....didnt go to war... Often tell wife when I get to old age pensionable age...Im off...havent made mind up which service home to apply for...but not spending olden days with her unless she changes her ways... Then I go hungry and she wont fill the fridge up...
http://www.nfassociation.freeserve.co.uk/ 9, you wanna be a helper and accompany me for a free booze up one day... My limp aint that obvious once I got a few beers inside...
Oh bugger, I suppose someone ratted on me lugging the Colonel and wheelchair up the chapel steps on Sunday Yes of course I’d be delighted to pitch-up. I had a good look at the web site, looks a hoot. Runnymede’s not far from me. Usually go there myself in the summer to catch a few rays and watch the river flow . Never seen the Bluebell Railway – tried, but I could never find it! Just as well you’re not asking me to amble you around – I use a cattle prod. Speaking of the aged and infirm , Admiral Walter Henry ‘Tich’ Cowan, BT, KCB, DSO+, MVO (1871-1956). ”The outbreak of War in 1939 saw Cowan, now aged 68, petitioning the Admiralty for a post, [polite way of saying he pulled strings]. In 1941 he was posted as liaison officer with the Commando forces in North Africa. In 1942 he saw action at Mechili and Bir Hacheim but was unfortunately captured after the latter of these two battles, [captured by the Italians after assaulting a tank with a .38 Webley]. In 1943, following his repatriation, [the Italians sent him back deciding he was ‘too old’ to fight] he was awarded a Bar to the DSO he had won more than 40 years before. Few others can have seen so large an interval between the award of DSO and Bar. His war was not yet finished however, as in 1944 he returned to Italy to serve with 2 Commando Brigade.” You can find a few references saying how Cowan walked into Bgd. Tom Churchill’s HQ saying; “I understand you’re looking for an Adjutant. Will I do?”. Also how Cowan insisted on accompanying Churchill’s HQ to the front on the Gustav Line where an action was taking place, and declined to wear a steel helmet in preference to his Green Beret. What isn’t written is that on the way up, the trail got increasingly hard and Cowan was put on a mule. One of No.9 in that party told me they were 2/3’s of the way up when they hear a firm quiet voice. “Stop, I want a p/ss”. They stopped and helped Cowan off the mule where he trundled off into the bushes. One man said; “Why can’t he have a leak here, why does he need to go into the bushes?” To which a distant reply came; “Because I’m an Officer!” No.9
