Page 11 - Cadet Review Autumn 2024

FROM THE REGULAR ARMY TO ACF VOLUNTEER AND NOW A CHELSEA PENSIONER
By Gerry Corns
During the summer the writer contacted the Editor to update him on his whereabouts and here is his story. I first met Gerry when he was serving as an adult instructor with Humberside and South Yorkshire ACF in the 1990s and his last appointment was as Company Sergeant Major, having also commanded Norbury Hall Detachment. Gerry served in the Regular Army as a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) leaving the Army in 1977, hence his eligibility to become a Chelsea Pensioner.
It all started about 2 years ago following marital issues with my second wife, my first wife having sadly died in 2016; and I had already been thinking about what the future might be and areas that I might move onto; one of these options being the Chelsea Pensioners.
As I had served in the Regular Army I knew a little bit about the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, so I decided
to carry out some research. The first thing I needed to check was eligibility and found out that I would
be eligible to apply to join. The criteria I did not meet was that you have to be single so that stopped me in my tracks. However, that status was about to change.
Having taken the decision to divorce I moved out of the family home which meant that in essence I was homeless. However, my cousin came to the rescue by offering me a bed at her house until I could find my own accommodation. It was whist I was living with my cousin that I made the decision to apply to become a Chelsea Pensioner. I contacted the Royal Hospital Chelsea and spoke to very nice young lady who sent me the application form,
informing me I could complete the
It really is life changing and I heartily recommend it for people in situations such as I found myself.
application, and they would keep it on file until
my divorce came through. This came through in September 2023 and at that point I commenced the process to join.
It was not until Christmas last year that I found out I had been successful in getting through the next stage of the application, where I was invited to The Hospital for a 4 Day visit. This proved to be a very enjoyable time where could assess me for suitability to become a Chelsea Pensioner and, vice versa, for me to assess whether it was for me or not. As far as I was concerned, I would have moved that very same day. However, that decision was going to be made by other people over the weeks to come, then finally I got the phone call I had been waiting for, asking me if I wanted to become a Chelsea Pensioner along with the three other applicants who applied at the same time as I did; apparently, the staff were so impressed with us all and that has never happened before.
I have been here since March 2024, and I have enjoyed every minute of it. It really is life changing and I heartily recommend it for people in situations such as I found myself. One of the perks is all the people you get to meet, which have made my day!
Gerry and his first wife in the 1970s
CADET REVIEW AUTUMN 2024 11