The Ross-on-Wye branch of the Royal British Legion hosted their annual Veteran’s Tea Party on Sunday, July 31st, and they were very pleased to welcome two very special guests of honour, Chelsea Pensioners Jean Simmons and Ivor Williams.

Jean and Ivor had been invited to Ross by the Royal British Legion (RBL) to celebrate the longstanding link between the town and the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a retirement home and nursing home for former members of the British Army, known as the Chelsea Pensioners.

During the Second World War, it was not only children who were evacuated to the countryside. In 1937, as the war approached, plans were made to evacuate the Chelsea Pensioners. In 1939, 52 in-pensioners and staff arrived in Ross. They were first taken to Rudhall Manor, and later, in 1942, to Moraston House.

As many of the Chelsea Pensioners were elderly when they arrived in Ross, many died whilst they were evacuated here.

There are memorials to these gentlemen in St Mary’s Churchyard in Ross and St Bridget’s Churchyard in Bridstow.

Jean and Ivor arrived at Gloucestershire train station on Sunday, before the tea party. They were escorted to the Royal Hotel, where they were booked in to stay the night, by the Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Royal British Legion Riders.

Once in Ross, they made their way to the Larruperz Centre, for the Veteran’s Tea Party, where they were joined by members of the local community who have either encountered war first hand, or who have links to conflict.

During the afternoon, the attendees were treated to a Frank Sinatra Tribute Act, as well as performances from the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir.

There was plenty to see and do throughout the afternoon, a raffle was held to raise funds for the branch, and exhibitions were on display, depicting Ross-on-Wye memories of the First World War, particularly the Battle of the Somme 1916.

A local historian, Gordon Armand had written a book, ‘The Chelsea Pensioners of Ross’, detailing the comprehensive history of their stay in the area. This book was included as a part of one of the RBL’s exhibitions.

During the intermission, Reverend Colin Leggate was introduced and make a short speech. He said that when he was the Chair of the Association of Ross Traders, he had decided to award the John Kyrle Shield to the Ross branch of the RBL. He added that although he was no longer the Chair, he was had been asked by ART to present the shield to the RBL during the Tea Party.

He remarked that “I, like many others, am very much concerned with the future of Ross, what is best for it, and it is important to learn from the past.”

Chairman of the Ross branch of the RBL, Graham Aplin thanked Reverend Leggate, and said that the group works with as many organisations in the town as possible. “If we can help, we will help,” he said.

The morning after the Tea Party, on Monday, August 1st, the RBL and the Chelsea Pensioners gathered at the memorials in Ross and Bridstow to the in-pensioners who died in Ross during the Second World War. A small commemoration was held, and poppies were laid.