Lynne's Story

American-born Lynne Legrand-Perruchot grew up with stories of her father’s service in England during the Second World War. She was inspired to study History of Art at Oxford in the 1980s and a lifelong love for England’s history and traditions was born. That passion drew her back to London once her two sons were grown up. She found a flat in Chelsea and became fascinated by the magnificent building on Royal Hospital Road and the Scarlet-coated veterans she’d see in the neighbourhood. So began a connection with the Chelsea Pensioners and their home, that has grown and strengthened ever since.  

Lynne spoke to us about her background, her bond with the Royal Hospital and what motivated her to support our charity as a Governor’s Circle member and through a gift in her Will.  

The daughter of a proud veteran 

I was born in Chicago and my parents were first generation Americans. At 18 my father was in the war here, in the fighter jets. He was stationed in Norfolk and would tell great stories about being on leave and partying with the other American soldiers around Piccadilly Circus.  

He started his own business in the 1950s, making pizzas and squeezing oranges for juice. He was 31 when he met my mother. They had their first date, but when he realised she was just 16 he packed her off home! Then a year later she received a dozen red roses on Valentine’s Day. She called to thank him and that was it. When she was 18, they got married. 

My father was a very proud veteran. He wore the American flag on his lapel every day of his life, but never forgot his time in England. About a year before he died, he went to the Normandy beaches with me and my two sons. He wore his World War II replica cap with his medals and so many people wanted to talk to him and thank him for his service. 

Pride, duty and tradition 

I studied at Oxford before marrying and having my sons. When my boys became older and didn’t need me any more, I started to come back to England. I bought a small apartment in Chelsea and used to see the Royal Hospital but had no idea what it was. I’d see these lovely men in their Scarlet uniforms and one day I started to tell them about my father and they were so kind and interesting. Later, a friend of mine asked me to the Chapel and since then it’s been where I regularly worship.   

 My father instilled a sense of pride and duty and tradition in me. I think that’s what brought me to the Royal Hospital, because I really hold those values. When you walk in the doors you see that tradition, that respect. It’s amazing what they do here for the Pensioners. They have a place to call home. It gives men and women of a certain age a community. We all have to face old age and facing it alone is never easy. Here they’ve got activities and they’ve got friends, which is wonderful. 

 I love Christopher Wren’s old architecture and the history behind the Royal Hospital – it’s a very special place. It was founded by King Charles II and may it continue long after King George VII. 

Securing the Royal Hospital’s future 

 After I started going to the Chapel, little by little I looked into being a Friend. Then I really saw the benefit of going that step further to be in the Governor's Circle, first of all, because I see what it can do. The money helps the Hospital, helps the Pensioners. And on the other hand, I get to go to great lectures and dinners – so it's a win-win! 

 I've been here now for about 10 years and I'll be a citizen in about a year and a half. So that's very exciting for me. I'm proud to be calling the United Kingdom home and I live by the traditional values of the United Kingdom. I wanted to choose charities here to support with a gift in my Will and the very first one that came to my mind was the Royal Hospital.  

 What motivated me is that I see the good works that go on here. And we don't know what the future is – wars are getting even more dangerous now and there will be so many amputees and psychological issues facing soldiers coming back. I want this place to be here for a long time to take care of the next group that are coming up.  

 I hope my gift is used where it’s most needed – for new buildings, or the upkeep of old ones, the grounds, the care of the Chelsea Pensioners. The Pensioners remind me of my father and I think that’s another reason why I became so attached to the Royal Hospital. When I see them out and about in their Scarlets – I feel very proud to be associated with them.