NOBODY expects the Chelsea Pensioners! Amongst their weaponry are such diverse elements as: fear, surprise, ruthless efficiency, an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope, and nice red uniforms.
The above statement is almost, but not quite, entirely untrue.
After a long coach ride to Chelsea, we finally pulled into the Chelsea Hospital grounds and disembarked. The first visit of the day was the Army Museum. A fairly modern building dedicated to showing the British Army through history. Time is pressing, as always on these trips, there is more to see than we can possibly get to.Outside is a challenger II tank, in urban warfare colours. A terrifying beast close up, but in the grand scheme of modern warfare, a bit long in the tooth. I believe it might still be in use in Ukraine. The museum is spread over a number of floors, we started at the bottom. The displays were good, but the organisation of them made them more difficult to understand. I would have preferred them to concentrate on major campaigns so I could follow through the progression. Instead, we had a weapons display, a supplies display, a medical display, etc.
We came out of the museum after a cup of tea in their lovely restaurant and sat on the seat opposite the tank, where we ate our lunch. We then went back in and did another floor. The final floor was 'dashed around', and we left to wait for our tour or the hospital, set for a 13:45 meet.
The bright red uniforms are known as 'scarlets', don't call them red. There is a particular qualification to get a room in the hospital, you must have been posted to an active theatre, though not necessarily been a combatant. You must be single, and have few resources. If you qualify, you are well looked after.
Charles II founded the hospital, there is a statue of him dressed as a Roman Centurion, it is gilded, and really stands out in the main square. The original rooms were tiny (6ftx6ft), now they have fewer rooms, but better size and certainly more than a bed and a coat hook.
The guy who led our tour certainly knew his stuff and apparently enjoyed himself. Which makes for a great tour for those of us who know next to nothing. The highlights are undoubtedly the great hall and the chapel. The grounds no longer go all the way to the river, but the path down to the road is still impressive.
The most important thing though is that this charity looks after those that have given a part of their lives to their country, and would otherwise be struggling. This is regardless of their beliefs, some may be devoted to the Pope, most are not. They hold other beliefs or none. There is a whole organisation around the hospital dedicated to raising funds and supporting the residents. While we were there, they were preparing for some event in the great hall, so our access was limited.
We finished our tour late, because we had started late. While the military men might work with precision, it doesn't look like the supporting staff quite manage the same. It seems that too much was booked in that afternoon.