Four pensioners are taking turns to sell poppies outside Marks and Spencer in King Street and will complete their fortnight’s stay by laying wreaths at the Cenotaph on Sunday.
For Michael Murphy, who has been resident at Chelsea Hospital for only four weeks, it is a pleasant return trip.
He first visited the Island as a teenager in the late 1950s and stayed for three years.
His army career began when he enlisted at the recruitment office at South Hill.
However, with family remaining in the Island, Mr Murphy (65) made frequent return trips over the past 40 years.
Bill Fox enlisted after the Second World War, seeing service mainly in Northern Ireland.
Today he is a guide at the Chelsea Hospital and as well as selling poppies can tell Islanders about the historic establishment, which is currently home to more than 300 ex-servicemen ranging in age from 65 to 100-plus.
They are splitting shifts with Second World War veterans Ben Duncan and Bernard Murray.
