Royal Hospital Chelsea the final stop for soldier who walked home from Cyprus

28th August 2015

The Chelsea Pensioners offered a warm welcome to a triumphant soldier who completed a five month ‘short walk home’ from Cyprus yesterday.

Captain Ed Lloyd Owen (34) from Norfolk has raised over £25,000 for the military charity Walking with the Wounded by walking 2423 miles from Cyprus to London in 150 days.

Walking with the Wounded

On arrival at the Royal Hospital he said: “I am surprised as everyone else that I have actually made it! I am looking forward to going back to reality, wearing normal clothes, sleeping in my own bed, seeing my son and not having to walk 20 miles a day!

“To me the Chelsea Pensioners are as iconic as Downing Street. I know a number of the Chelsea Pensioners personally and it was really lovely to see them and I am very grateful for them turning out in their Scarlet coats.”

Colonel Simon Bate OBE, Adjutant and Director of Welfare at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, said: “What a tremendous achievement for this young man. Five months of walking from Cyprus is an incredible story.”

To donate to Walking with the Wounded Please click here.

Royal Hospital Chelsea Newsletter

Stay up to date with what's going on at The Royal Hospital by signing up for our e‑newsletter.

News

View the archive

Black and white photo of Mick Gue at the Cypriot running championship
Meet Chelsea Pensioner Mick Gue: Sporting Success

Chelsea Pensioner, Mick Gue, talks about his athletic triumphs in the Army, and what he is doing now to stay fit in retirement. 

Group of Chelsea Pensioners stood in front of metal soldier sculpture
Chelsea Pensioners Veteran Outreach Hits the Road

Last week, the Royal Hospital’s Chelsea Pensioners Veteran Outreach programme embarked on a nationwide roadshow to connect with Veterans in Northeast England.