Sponsored by SSAFA
https:// https://www.ssafa.org.uk/about-us
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us
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05 Jun 25. The Editor was honoured to be invited to the Royal Hospital Chelsea Founders Day Parade by the Governor General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, on a wet and soggy Thursday. It was so moving to see those brave old comrades inspected by The Duke Of Edinburgh, the parade in their red tunics marching in perfect Order unfazed by the torrential rain, to the band of the Irish Guards. Founder’s Day takes place every year around the same date and is an occasion that honours the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s founder King Charles II. The day is also known as ‘Oak Apple Day’ which marks the birthday and the date of the restoration of King Charles II. The story behind the Oak Apple symbolises the future King’s escape after the Battle of Worcester in 1651 when he hid in an oak tree, evading capture by the Parliamentary forces and to this day, this historic event is honoured by the Chelsea Pensioners who sport oak trees leaves on their iconic vibrant scarlet uniforms. There are 280 In-Pensioners, five of them are over 100 and the average is 82. There are veterans of the many campaigns that took place after 1945, with 10 having served in World War2
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SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885. In 2020, our teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 79,000 people in need, the
currently serving (both regulars and reserves), veterans from the Second World War and those who have served in more recent conflicts, as well as their families. SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. And we are here for that person – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us.
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/about-us
https://www.ssafa.org.uk/support-us
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