Chelsea Pensioner Celebrates his Centenary in Style
9th August 2019
The Royal Hospital celebrated a rather special birthday today and welcomed the Revd Richard Coles to join in with the party atmosphere.
I like to live life to the full. I’ve been through two world wars, I’ve travelled the world – I’ve lived an interesting life. My childhood was pretty tough – we were all very poor. But it was good training I suppose.
I always liked a challenge. When I was in action, I’d get a sense of exhilaration rather than being scared. As a commando I had to stay fit. I’d always get worried if I wasn’t as fit as I could be! I loved cross-country running and things like that. I packed in the gym recently but I still get out and about on my mobility scooter – I can anywhere on that scooter!
“I’m greedy – I want to do it all!”
It’s important to keep your mind active too. I was always an avid reader and I still try to keep up with the news. I’ve got a great love for opera and ballet, which I think is the greatest art form. Otherwise, I’ve just tried to live an interesting life. I look for anything and everything to enjoy.
I like to be doing things, to see big events and participate in them. I keep myself busy here. We do singing, which I enjoy and I like the animals – the Battersea dogs come to visit and when they were hatching ducklings in the Infirmary I’d got to the hatching station – I fell in love with my ducks! And I get companionship here too. Every day left now is for my own enjoyment. What I’d really like to do next is a tandem parachute jump. I’m greedy – I want to do it all!
