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The two will be joining Chelsea Pensioners, and are set to ride in
the streets in cars from the early 20th century. Alongside the
group will be officials and dignitaries from Britain and Western
Front towns in Belgium. The parade will follow a route that
takes them from the Royal Hospital Chelsea to Parliament Square,
past the Cenotaph in Whitehall. They will drive up The Mall and
across Westminster Bridge to the Imperial War Museum, before
heading back to the Royal Hospital.
During the reign of King William III and Queen Mary II, the Royal
Hospital Chelsea, a nursing home for British soldiers who are unfit
for duty, was responsible for distributing army pensions to
retired servicemen. The pensioners could either receive their
pension from the Royal Hospital, or surrender their pension and
instead live within the hospital itself. Those who opted for the
former were known as out-pensioners, while those who opted for the
latter were in-pensioners. While the disparity between the two was
not as great when the system was introduced, today the
out-pensioners greatly outnumber the in-pensioners. In-pensioners
have come to be referred to as Chelsea Pensioners, and are
recognised by their distinctive scarlet uniforms.
The Great War Centenary Parade is a collaboration between the Royal
Hospital Chelsea and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Sandy
Saunders, a Chelsea Pensioner who is part of the parade, said: “I
speak for all of the Chelsea Pensioners when I say that we are
truly honoured to be representing the Army and the fallen here
today.”
In addition to the parade, Chelsea Pensioners are taking part in a
number of events across the UK and Belgium. Nine of them will be at
the vigil in Westminster Abbey with the Duchess of Cornwall, and
many more involved in activities in Jersey, Glasgow, Folkestone and
the St. Symphorien Military Cemetery in Mons along with the Duke
and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
Photo credit: esther1616 via photopin cc]]>
