Page 44 - QARANC Vol 20 No 3 2023

44 The Gazette QARANC Association
MILLBANK BRANCH
Millbank Branch enjoys a first tour of the
Royal Hospital
Despite a long association with the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which has kindly allowed QARANC to hold Corps Sunday there for many years, Millbank Branch had never been on a tour, writes Christine Duchemin.
Determined to put that right, we set off on a beautifully warm September day, 20 or so members and guests, including our newest member, Brenda, aged 93(!). We were shown round by In Pensioner Bert Weastell, alongside our own Barbara Wildes and Roger Thompson, a friend of mine and newly installed in the Hospital.
Bert took us through the history of the founding of the Hospital by King Charles II, to thank his soldiers for helping him back onto the throne. We were shown his statue and told of the tradition of Founders Day, each June, which really is a great excuse for a party.
We were shown two of the original rooms, which have been preserved for public display. A soldiers’ space was very small, but it was warm and dry, and he would have been provided with three square meals a day.
The Sergeant’s billet was larger, and he was able to keep an eye on the inmates from his room to make sure no rules were broken.
The dining room is large and bright and since the kitchens have been moved nearer to the hall, the food is now hot. They have waiter service and three cooked meals a day, with a choice at each meal.
Originally designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the hospital has been sympathetically extended over the years and now has a hospital and staff quarters on the site. There is a shop and post office, open to the public and a useful fundraiser.
The state apartments are available to hire, and open air concerts are held in the grounds in the Summer. The biggest fundraiser is the of course the annual Chelsea Flower show, and the grounds are worked on for about six weeks to put things up and then take them down again. In September it was impossible to see where the exhibition had been.
We extended our thanks to Bert for his wonderful tour by inviting him to our Christmas lunch, where he got to speak to more of members and I wish to thank him again and the Chelsea RSM for allowing us to visit.
Then, on a fine but chilly day Millbank gathered together at Chelsea Football Ground to celebrate