Royal Hospital Chelsea

The Falklands Fallen book launch was a wonderful celebration with Chip Chapman who wrote a fabulous foreword for the book We were joined by family friends and comrades to celebrate and remember those now immortalised in print. Jilly Carrell

*According to the Office of National Statistics census survey 2023, nearly a third of veterans in the UK reported feeling lonely always, often or some of the time. At Christmas, this feeling is only heightened, especially for those in the older veteran community. This year, we are launching our Christmas Appeal to help combat social isolation and loneliness in the older veteran community, within and outside our gates. A donation today will help us extend a vital sense of camaraderie and community to veterans in need. Contributions support a vibrant environment where older veterans can thrive, offering social events, activities, and outings that foster connection and friendship. Your gift will also aid our outreach programme, which shares this warmth with veterans who may still feel isolated in the civilian world. Every donation counts – big or small. Help us continue to care for those who once served us all, by giving a gift today: https://loom.ly/DxPvgIw #ChristmasAppeal #SupportOurVeterans #CombatLoneliness #RoyalHospitalChelsea

The Soane Stable Yard was originally designed and built in 1814-17 by architect Sir John Soane when he was the Clerk of Works at the Royal Hospital. The stables were constructed to house the horses used by the Hospital, which at the time were essential for various operational tasks, including transportation of goods and ceremonial duties. You can spot the names of those that housed horses in the Stables above the arches in the recently restored Soane Stable Yard. Learn more about the history of the Royal Hospital in the new Chelsea Pensioners Museum. Book your visit now: https://loom.ly/YRreBuA 📷 Photo of a man and a horse by Imagemakers #ExploreYourArchives #Animals #History #RoyalHospitalChelsea

Delighted to be joined by trainee chefs from the Catering Training Wing of the Defence School of Logistics and Administration based at MOD Worthy Down. Each chef presented their own, specially crafted Christmas cake which were judged by a selection of Chelsea Pensioners who were formerly badged to the Army Catering Corps. A huge congratulations to the winner and a thank you to all the chefs! Each cake will be shared amongst the Chelsea Pensioners to enjoy.

🚨 We're Hiring! Learning and Development Coordinator 🚨 📅 Closing Date: 8th December Are you passionate about driving growth and development? The Royal Hospital Chelsea is looking for a Learning and Development Coordinator to lead our training initiatives and support our team’s professional growth. 📝 Key Responsibilities: Manage external and mandatory training programmes. Maintain and update the Learning Management System (LMS). Provide staff with LMS support and address training needs. Oversee onboarding, inductions, performance management, and probationary reviews. 🌟 What We're Looking For: Excellent communication skills to engage with stakeholders at all levels. Strong IT proficiency, particularly with LMS and HR systems. Relationship-building skills with key stakeholders. Desirable: Experience delivering training (especially in a care environment) and CIPD Level 3 in L&D. If you’re ready to make an impact in a unique and historic organisation, apply now and join us at the Royal Hospital Chelsea! https://lnkd.in/eHRvx8-H

Did you know there is an enduring myth that attributes the foundation of the Royal Hospital to the kind-hearted sympathy of Nell Gwyn, a favourite of King Charles II? However, the myth has been dissipated through modern research. In a visitor’s handbook in 1885, it states ‘there would be no truth in the story…it was a custom in those days to flatter such persons by undeserved imputed merits.’ #ExploreYourArchives #Mythology #History #RoyalHospitalChelsea

Unique to the Royal Hospital, this iconic uniform has identified the Chelsea Pensioner for over 300 years! First issued in 1704, it was inspired by the Army uniform brought in by John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. The Scarlet is worn with the tricorne hat and medals on all formal occasions when Royalty is present and on a few selected occasions whenever Pensioners are publicly representing the Royal Hospital. #ExploreYourArchives #Fashion #History #RoyalHospitalChelsea

The huge statue of a Chelsea Pensioner located on the North Front of the Royal Hospital was unveiled in 2000 to commemorate the Millennium. Created by Phillip Jackson, the Pensioner is worn by war and bent by age but still stands proud. About the base is the soldiers' prayer, based on that uttered by Sir Jacob Astley before the Battle of Edgehill in 1642. ‘O Lord! thou knowest how busy I must be this day: if I forget thee, do not thou forget me’. #ExploreYourArchives #Huge #History #RoyalHospitalChelsea

A group of Chelsea Pensioners have recently embarked on several trips to the The National Archives, UK to explore some of the many documents there related to the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s history. They recently uncovered the story of John Abrahams, a Chelsea Pensioner who served 20 years in the British Army. After losing his lodgings at age 74, he joined the Royal Hospital, survived prostate cancer, and passed at 87. The list of his few worldly possessions on his death included three service medals, one attaché case, one ornament, two scissors, one mirror, one magnifying glass, one handkerchief, one braces, one purse, one cigarette case, one pen, one penknife and one lighter. #ExploreYourArchives #Tiny #History #RoyalHospitalChelsea

When the Duke of Wellington died in 1852, he was given a lavish lying-in-state at the Royal Hospital. The Great Hall was draped with black cloth, and a catafalque, which supported the duke’s coffin, was erected upon one of the dining tables. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited to pay their respects. The following day, when the public were admitted, there were such vast crowds that two women were killed in the crush! The dining table the duke's coffin rested on is still on display in the Great Hall. #ExploreYourArchives #Heroes #History #RoyalHospitalChelsea