Chapel Steward Marjorie Cole at the Marjorie Cole Royal Hospital, Chelsea tells of her life of Christian faith.

arjorie Cole is everything you would want to be in Mretirement – energetic, spritely and inquisitive. Proud as punch to be a Chelsea Pensioner, her five years at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, have been packed with ceremonial occasions, royal visits and meeting celebrities. Her lively sense of humour sparkles through all of her stories, as she recalls the adventure of living in Chelsea. The slightly mischievous twinkle in her eyes belies the challenging emotional life Marjorie has had until recently.

Delighted to be a Chelsea Pensioner and wear the cherished red coat with pride, Marjorie arrived at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 27 July 2009, to be one of only three women residents. She said, “Life began at 65 for me – my birthday was on Sunday 26 July, so I arrived on the Monday making Chelsea my new home.”

Originally hoping to work in farming because she adores animals, Marjorie changed her mind and by the age of 17, her campaign medals proudly Valentine’s day and then her she had taken the Queen’s on her cherry red uniform ill sister Margaret, who was to shilling and joined the Army jacket. succumb to the same type of as a Private in the Women’s stomach cancer just six years Royal Army Corps, eventually After leaving the Army, later. Marjorie never married. reaching the rank of Lance following the death of her She felt as though she had Corporal and specialising in father, Marjorie dedicated nobody left. catering. Her service life led her life to nursing her sick her to Singapore and Malaya in mother, who eventually died A devoted Christian, Marjorie 1965 to 1966, and she displays from stomach cancer one St was suffering from depression.

One week, feeling very low, she attended a fellowship group. She said, “We all held hands and I just felt an incredible warmth come through me. I started crying but it really helped me – just to know I was cared for.”

Now a Chapel Steward at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, Marjorie said, “I will be in the chapel all day Wednesday. I welcome visitors and those coming to worship.”

“I am always pleased to can be for the retired elderly, met a number of members of speak with people about the Marjorie said, “Life would the Royal Family. She quietly chapel and its history and be very difficult for me had confided, “Prince Harry is about what life is like as a I not come here. I would my favourite!” When Dame Chelsea Pensioner. I am also be worried about things like ’s ashes responsible for things like the paying for electricity. I think were interred at the Royal alms boxes (which have been I would be really lonely, but Hospital, Marjorie was proud broken into on occasion) and here at the Royal Hospital I and pleased to have been for the service sheets. I can am really busy and have lots invited to carry the ashes help out at weddings and of friends. My Army pension in their casket to their final funerals as well as regular comes to the Royal Hospital resting place, meeting both daily services. Anyone can to pay for my stay, but I keep of the former Prime Minister’s marry here – we are very my state pension. I am very, children, Mark and Carol lucky; we have some of the very fortunate. At the Royal Thatcher on the day. “It was a best musicians in London.” Hospital, I pay for my glasses, great honour” she said.” but the rest of my health care Full of life and joy, Marjorie’s is taken care of.” Cheerful and delighted to be delight at being a Chelsea sharing her story, Marjorie Pensioner is obvious. She said, There’s no slacking though. said, “I love it! I write letters, give Breakfast is served from 0730 speeches when I am invited to 0830, lunch at 1230 to “The best thing about the to, read and meditate. My faith 1330 and supper from 1700 to definitely brought me here. I Royal Hospital is the care 1900. Marjorie laughed, ”Not and camaraderie here. It have loved and lost my mother everyone makes it to supper” and my sister and, in 2002, she says, grinning broadly makes me proud to be suffered a minor stroke as a “We eat so much at lunch, not British. There is no more result of the stress I was living everyone has room for more in worrying; all of that is with. I do believe the Lord has the evening!” a plan for us. Only He knows done for me.” what that is. My reward was in Life as a Chelsea Pensioner coming here. We are all God’s literally keeps Marjorie on her For more information about family and we all serve the toes. Having tripped the light the Royal Hospital, Chelsea Lord.” fantastic with BBC Strictly and its pensioners visit Come Dancing show star www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk Recognising how tough life Anton du Beke, she has also