Chelsea Pensioners mourn their former Commander in poignant ceremony

The United Kingdom is being filled with tributes in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch of records whose life consisted of 70 years in service to her people and her country. 

One particularly moving homage was offered by Chelsea Pensioners and staff of the Royal Hospital; called a Drumhead Service, it is a moment of prayer and reflection offered to fallen soldiers. 

This particular ceremony takes its name from the fact that it is conducted around an altar made of Regimental drums, a sentimental nod from comrades to those of them who didn’t make it back home. 

Every year, a Drumhead service is held at the Royal Hospital for Remembrance Sunday, and it involves all Chelsea Pensioners who are not taking part in the offerings at the Cenotaph. 

“The Queen has a special place in the hearts of the Chelsea Pensioners, all of whom are immensely proud to have served in her honour in the British Army and were deeply saddened to hear the news of her death,” says the organisation’s press release. 

The Drumhead service was held in the Figure Court and was conducted by Rev Steven Brookes, the Chaplain of the Royal Hospital, with music sung by the Royal Hospital Choir and readings offered by residents and seat members. 

The Chelsea Pensioners are residents of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement and nursing home that cares for former British Army members who are over 65, free from any financial obligations of support for any spouses or children and can live independently. 

Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded in 1682 by King Charles II as a retreat for military veterans on the path of the creation of the 1677 act of pensions for reformed officers and maimed soldiers. The structure itself was opened to pensioners in 1692, received its own colours in 2002 and finally started admitting women in March of 2009.