A Christmas ceremony in which cheese is handed over to Chelsea pensioners was joined for the first time yesterday by troops bound for Afghanistan. Lance Corporal George Anderson and Private Ben Gorringe, of the Territorial Army London Regiment, took part in the Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses, which dates back to 1692. Lance Corporal Anderson said: “It makes you proud standing alongside brave and dignified Chelsea pensioners. We are on tour for six months — while they were away and uncontactable for years.”