A WAR veteran from Kidlington will become the first woman to join the ranks of the world-famous Chelsea Pensioners.

Dorothy Hughes, 85, of Mead Way, is busy packing her bags ready to move to London within a fortnight.

Three hundred male pensioners live at London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea, but new rules have been passed allowing women to end their days at the hospital, as long as they fulfil the same criteria as the men.

Mrs Hughes said she was made to feel welcome during a visit to the hospital.

She said: “I honestly expected hostility when I first visited — from what I read in the papers, the men wanted to kick us out.

“But they were so friendly and I really wanted to come here. My husband died 18 years ago and I’ve outlived many of my friends.

“I realised my future could be grim and lonely. My social life has been nil. I’m a people person and it gets harder to meet new friends, so this feels very exciting.”

Mrs Hughes served as a gunner in the Second World War, defending London against German bombers during the Blitz.

After the war she became a sergeant and transferred to a research group working on a space programme with Cambridge scientists.

She said: “I feel very humble. I never expected to be accepted. I feel like Cinderella at the ball.”

Chelsea pensioners must be over 65, drawing an Army pension and without dependents.

So far, four women have had their applications accepted, while the pensioners’ famous uniforms, scarlet coats and black trousers with a red dash, are being adapted to suit the female figure.

RHC fundraising manager Peter Townley said the hospital had opened its doors to women because more and more ex-servicewomen had begun to reach 65. He said: “It’s a quite a momentous occasion.”

Ilma White, secretary of the Kidlington branch of the Royal British Legion, wished Mrs Hughes all the best, but she said she would be greatly missed in the village.

She said: “I think it’s marvellous, but we will miss her – she’s a lovely lady.

tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk