Several guests including councillors, the Island’s Lord Lieutenant and the Chairman of Isle of Wight Council will be attending a special fund-raising event in Cowes for the Chelsea Pensioners later this month. A luncheon and auction will be held at the Royal Yacht Squadron on Friday 26 October at 12.30pm to raise funds for the organisation’s scheme to rebuild its care home and refurbish its living quarters.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea is a famous institution with a history stretching back to the 17th century. Members are given residence at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea and are often referred to as ‘In-Pensioners’. To be considered for admission to the Royal Hospital as an in-Pensioner, a candidate must be in receipt of an Army Service, or War Disability Pension for Army Service.
They must be 65 years of age or over and free from the obligation to support a wife, partner or family. In-Pensioners surrender their army pension and live within the Royal Hospital with full lodging and boarding, clothing and medical care. Eligible soldiers who cannot be housed in the Hospital are termed ‘Out-Pensioners’, receiving their pension from the Royal Hospital but living outside it.
The last Islander to be a Chelsea Pensioner was a man called Vivian ‘Nutty’ Edwards who once owned The Crown pub at Shorwell. He was a member in the 1960s and 70s and was well known on the Isle of Wight for his window cleaning business. He had a dog called Skipper which was famous for collecting bottles.
HM Lord-Lieutenant Major General Martin White, the High Sheriff Lt Col David Langford, the Governor of the Royal Hospital, General the Lord Walker of Aldringham, the Chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, Councillor Roger Mazillius and the Chief Executive of the Council Joe Duckworth are just some of the guests who will attend the event. A number of local businesses have taken tables in support of this appeal. Several In-Pensioners will also be present in their full uniforms.
Similar fund-raising events are being arranged in every county this year and nationwide it is hoped to raise a substantial sum to help to rebuild the In-Pensioners’ Infirmary (Care Home) and modernise their living accommodation (the Long Wards).
Cllr Mazillius said “I am delighted to support this appeal for the Chelsea Pensioners. The organisation plays an important role in our history and I and my colleagues are only too delighted to help in anyway we can”.
