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When the war started, I was called up as a regular soldier at the age of 17. I was excited; in those days you thought it was exciting going to war. I was a gun layer and saw through the Blitz in London, as part of the Anti-Aircraft Battery. During the first week of the war,a German Dornier Do flying boat came over on a reconnaissance mission and I had to lay the gun to fire at it. I didn’t hit the Dornier, but knocked a kitchen chimney down. I wasn’t very popular and we weren’t given any breakfast that morning!

Brian Howarth was only 16 when he joined the British Army in 1942. Three years later, he was risking his life as a paratrooper in a huge airborne battle over the Rhine. Although he is now in his 90s, Brian’s memories of wartime remain as vivid as ever.

As the Royal Hospital Chelsea marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day), we reflect not only on the end of the Second World War, but on the lived experiences of those who served. Among them are Chelsea Pensioners Brian Howarth and John Morris - two veterans whose stories remind us of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that defined a generation.

This Sunday, our CEO David Richmond CBE and Chelsea Pensioner Dave Godwin will be taking part in the London Marathon to raise money for the Royal Hospital Chelsea. David will also raise money for the Invictus Games Foundation, for who he has been a long-term supporter.   

We recently had the pleasure of joining Chelsea Pensioner Archie Ferguson as he showed us his delightful Easter Garden, part of the wider Dementia Gardens that he and fellow Chelsea Pensioner Alan Rutter have lovingly curated for their fellow Pensioners. 

The Royal Hospital Chelsea was honoured to welcome His Excellency, The Right Honourable Ralph Goodale PC, Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, and members of the Canadian Armed Forces for the 11th annual Canadian Pancake Breakfast on Tuesday, 4 March 2025.

We are delighted to announce that the refurbishment of our Infirmary building has been nominated for ‘Best Interior Design’ at the Healthcare Design Awards 2025.

Festivities continued this week at the Royal Hospital Chelsea as we celebrated the annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cake

Today, the Chelsea Pensioners enjoyed the annual Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses, a much-loved festive tradition at the Royal Hospital. 

The festive season has well and truly begun as we held our annual Stirring of the Christmas Pudding today.

Today, the Royal Hospital Chelsea was host to a special gathering in honour of the Chelsea Pensioner veterans of the Korean War.

At next year’s Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show 2025, a garden designed for the Chelsea Pensioners will be unveiled.