Remembrance Day stirs memories for Chelsea Pensioner Ivan

“It’s absolutely incredible hearing all the bystanders applaud,” says Ivan, 70, who will be marching with fellow Chelsea Pensioners past the national war memorial in London’s Whitehall. “You get to the point when you think ‘are they really applauding me’?”

For Ivan, who spent 15 years in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps – the unit tasked with supplying weapons, ammunition and equipment to the British Army – the 11th of November is also a chance to remember comrades and fellow soldiers who are no longer alive. People like Henry ‘Harry’ Rawlins, a World War II veteran who served with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps from Normandy to Bremen, who died at the age of 98 in June this year.

Harry passed away at The Royal Hospital Chelsea which is home to about 280 Chelsea Pensioners. Instantly recognisable thanks to their scarlet uniforms, the Pensioners have all served in the British Army and are all of state pension age (66) or older. Pensioners can’t be married – many are either widowed or divorced – and they have to be able to live independently.

Ivan is a Chelsea Pensioner and a tour guide who shows visitors around the 66-acre site which was founded as an almshouse by King Charles II in 1682.

He leads about four tours a week which start in the Hospital’s Soane Stable Yard. It has recently re-opened after a three-year restoration project supported by funding made possible by National Lottery players.

The centrepiece of the restored yard is the Chelsea Pensioners Museum, which uses interactive displays to explain the rich history of the Royal Hospital and tells the stories of some of the Pensioners. There’s also a new cafe, a gift shop and a Post Office.

Said Ivan, “It’s become a state-of-the-art visitor centre – it’s an absolute revelation. Thanks to The National Lottery it’s been completely transformed and early signs suggest it will be a very popular place to visit.”

Ivan, who left the army in 2018 after serving in Northern Ireland and Germany, has incredibly fond memories of his time in the armed forces.

He said, “Obviously we had some rough times, but you tend to remember the happy times, the good times rather than the times you were scared or not too happy. Mostly it was amazing. I made some close friends who I’m still in touch with today.”

1st November 2024