Dukie and Chelsea Pensioner Richard Dows (1960 - 1965, Kitchener & Wolfe) sadly passed away on Sunday 27th August.

This is the information we received from The Royal Hospital Chelsea;

The Governor announces with regret the death of: No 332 IP RICHARD ARTHUR DOWS ROYAL ENGINEERS DOB: 5 MAY 49, DOE: 8 MAY 17. Richard died in Jones Ward on Sun 27 Aug 23. Details of his funeral service will be notified once known. RICHARD ARTHUR DOWS 1949 – 2023, Richard was born in Gillingham on 5 May 1949. He enlisted into the Army aged 16 as a Junior Soldier on 1 September 1965 after leaving the distinguished Duke of Yorks School, Dover.

He badged to the Royal Engineers and streamed to survey and printing. He served with the Army Apprentice College at Chepstow from 1965 to 1968; 3 Training Regiment in 1968; 84 Survey Squadron in Singapore from 1969 to 1971; 14 Field Survey Squadron in Dusseldorf from 1971 to 1973; 22 Litho Squadron in Barton Stacey from 1973 to 1974; School of Military Survey in Newbury from 1974 to 1975; 13 Field Squadron in Barton Stacey from 1975 to 1978, including a detachment in Northern Ireland on special duties in 1976; and finally as an instructor at the Army Apprentice College at Chepstow from 1978 to 1981. He was finally discharged on 1 May 1981 having served for fifteen years and promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Following his Army service, he found employment in the printing trade working for a variety of different companies starting off as a basic press operative, later as a supervisor/foreman and finally as a manager with the company Simon Dewsbury Pine Dungeon with whom he was employed for eight years from 1998 until 2006 when he retired. Richard joined the Royal Hospital on 8 May 2017 and was posted to Long Ward 4 as part of Number 1 Company. He was keen to take full advantage of the many external trips and activities on offer and he attended over 120 separate events including many trips to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea FC and he attended the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Arsenal at Wembley in May 2017.

Having played second row for a number of clubs, Richard was a very keen Rugby enthusiast, and he was a regular at Twickenham to watch the England international and Six Nations fixtures as well as the annual Army v Navy match. Richard was very proud to have been part of the Royal Hospital’s marching contingent at the Cenotaph and at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall and he also attended many events organised and hosted by the Royal Engineers Association. Richard died in Jones Ward on 27 August 2023 aged 74. Our prayers and thoughts are with Richard, his family, and his friends.

In 1964 Richard was selected to swim for Kent and Surrey whilst at the school. Richard also attended Grand Day in 2022 with two other Chelsea Pensioners, and would have met Princess Anne. His funeral is to be held on Monday 18th September at RHC. The RSM David Russell and OC CCF/Ceremonial Mark Ellis will be representing the school.

Please leave your thoughts below in the comments if you remember Richard.