Rob
Grant, the Liaison Officer for the Chelsea Pensioner and Liberation
Visit and himself an ex-infantryman, gave a very interesting
presentation about these two iconic groups, focussing mainly on the
Chelsea Pensioners.
He described the history of the Royal Chelsea Hospital from its instigation by Charles II, who died before it opened, and took in its first “in-Pensioners" in 1692. Nowadays, the Pensioners, who are all ex-Army - Navy or RAF personnel are not eligible - must have served at least twelve years in the ranks (or be in receipt of a disablement pension) and have no financial dependants. Officers, unless they have served at least twelve years in the ranks, are not eligible. Rob gave histories of some of the people who had been Pensioners, which were amazing and included one story of a woman who served as a man in the Army (this was a couple of hundred years ago), was wounded three times and was eventually admitted to the Royal Hospital. These days, female ex-Army personnel are freely able to apply to become Pensioner
Rob described how visits to Guernsey for the Liberation Day celebrations are very popular and care is taken with allocation of places.
It was a very well-received talk about this very well-known and much loved group of veterans.
'What We Do' Main Pages:
The Rotary Club of Guernsey would like to extend our grateful thanks to those Companies, Partnerships, Firms & Individuals whose support is so essential.
moreThe Centenary Year of the Club is now with us and plans have been made for a year of commemoration, celebration and raising the awareness of Rotary within the community.
moreNow and again it is a pleasure to record awards given to individual members of the Rotary Club of Guernsey for services to the Club and the wider community.
more