Sorrow as hospital loses nine Chelsea Pensioners to virus
NINE Chelsea Pensioners have died from coronavirus, their carers have announced.
The Royal Hospital Chelsea, which has a population of 290, revealed the sad news ahead of VE Day.
Five deaths occurred in the retirement home for Army veterans and four died while receiving hospital treatment.
Fifty- eight residents have recovered after either testing positive or showing symptoms of Covid- 19, the hospital said.
Hospital governor, General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, said: “Most of our Pensioners have risked their lives serving our nation through war and conflict somewhere in the world, just as our NHS staff and care workers are providing vital and sometimes dangerous service to the nation here at home during this Covid crisis.
Gen Bradshaw said veterans at the Royal Hospital would enjoy some "internal, socially-distant events" to mark VE Day but "againts the backdrop of the recent losses we have suffered".
Chelsea FC tweeted the club's deepest condolences to families and friends of the victims. One, who died on April 1, was Fred Boomer-Hawkins, 75.
Mr Boomer- Hawkins spent 20 years with the Royal Green Jackets infantry regiment and became a Chelsea Pensioner in 2017.
Writing of his father’s last moments, his son Terry said on Facebook: “If the Government showed footage of someone at the end with this virus it would scare people and they would heed the advice I am sure.
“Please all stay home, keep your distance, wear a mask and wash your hands. If not you might put someone you love through this.
“My dad was a great man, he was much loved by many and will be sorely missed.”