Skip to main content

Predecessors lunch

RLC HQ hosted the bi-annual predecessors lunch at the Central Sergeants Mess, Deepcut on the 24th September.

Personnel attended from across the Corps, including RLC Officers and SNCO’s, Civilian Employees from the RHQ and in-pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea. This event is very important to Corps heritage and helps the Corps to maintain its familial relationship with its members long after they have retired.

Command Sergeant Major, Mr Meek stated “This is a brilliant event! When you join the Corps you join a family, and we look after our family.”

The Royal Hospital Chelsea was established over 300 years ago in the reign of King Charles II, after he became aware the army was supporting a growing number of soldiers who were no longer fit for active service, inspired by L ‘Hotel des Invalides in Paris, he committed to creating a welcoming and safe home for veterans who had fought for their county and who were now “broken by age or war”.
Christopher Wren brought this vision to life and the elegant buildings still stand majestically on the banks of the River Thames in the heart of 21st century London.

The Residents of the Hospital, known the world over as Chelsea Pensioners, have all served as soldiers in the British Army and now, in their later years, find a warm welcome as well as a community which has comradeship.