Early Clubs

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The Early History of the Rotary Club(s) of London

Return to London #50

Vivian Carter's 1947 publication entitled "The Romance of Rotary in London" may firstly need explaining as to its title. Carter bases the title on the writings of G K Chesterton who wrote: "to be born into this earth is to be born into a romance".

Carter, thus, wanted to write the story of London Rotary Club as a romantic who writes the truth about real life. As the author says," the greater the truth the greater the romance". Carter, a journalist by profession who watched Rotary from both the outside and within, was secretary of RIBI (1921-28) before moving to the USA as editor of 'The Rotarian'.

The book was published by the 13th District, established in 1923, to tell the story of London Rotary. London Rotary Clubs were not one Club but 76!

Extension is the keyword that will forever be associated with London Rotary Club to historians of the Rotary movement. The Club, against a tide of opposition, actively encouraged 'other' London Rotary Clubs in a somewhat selfless manner.

in 1911, London was very receptive to the concept of Rotary. The initial attraction of Rotary was privilege and exclusivity and friendships with other leaders in business.

Sixteen men showed an interest in Rotary when invited to a presentation by Boston Rotarian Harvey J Wheeler. Wheeler had business interests on both sides of the Atlantic with his Initial Towel Supply Company (amongst other 'Initial' companies). One colleague, a Canadian by birth, had shown a particularly keen interest - Arthur P Bigelow of the Initial Towel Co. An initial meeting took place on August 3rd 1911 at Simpson's in The Strand.

The first gathering was a huge success as diners waded through the glutinous feast before them - hors d'oeuvres, clear mock turtle or thick oxtail soup, turbot with lobster sauce and whitebait, roast or boiled fowl, bath chap and peas, saddle of mutton, roast beef, forequarter of lamb, mixed ices, cheese, salad, three wines, cigars, coffee. If Rotary was anything like the dinner, it "was worth considering"!

Wheeler gave a talk on the Rotary movement's development in North America and freely answered questions put to him. The gathering unanimously decided : 'That a Rotary Club for London be here and now formed'.

Wheeler was elected President for the period up to December 31st 1911 before his successor Arthur Bigelow would take over. Arthur's successor was G J P Arnold who would later be President of the British Association of Rotary Clubs.

The first venue for meetings was the Trocadero Restaurant and meetings were monthly. A series of venue changes followed and some of the establishments visited include: The Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych; The Salisbury Hotel, Fleet Street; De Keyser's, Embankment.

It took until 1915 for membership to increase at any notable rate. Members were mostly businessmen but other Rotarians included entertainers such as R G Knowles (popular comedian); the actor, Bransby Williams; and Arthur Prince (ventriloquist). Once the membership drive was under way it knew no bounds. The reason was, probably, that the enduring Great War crystallised men's feelings of duty and community spirit; they wanted to contribute to their community.

London Rotary Club's War Service is impressive. It organised nineteen entertainment concerts for wounded soldiers including the transport of many hundreds of men. They also gave hospitality to members of the United States forces once the republic entered the war.

In addition, London opened an office in The Strand to systematically establish the hospitality of American troops. The Club worked tirelessly to cement Anglo-American relations.

In addition, 'Jobs For Demobs' was a program developed in order to find suitable employment for ex-soldiers.

In 1916, the Club newsletter appeared named The London Rotarian.

One question dominates the London story - is there a limit to Rotary? The members answered NO. Why should the Club limit itself to a club of, say, 300 members in a city of 8 million? This was a question that would arise time and time again during 'heated' discussions at Rotary Conventions between the expansionists and the conservatives.

Prepared by Rotary Global History researchers Basil Lewis, England & Calum Thomson, Scotland

Sources: Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland - Roger Levy
The Romance of Rotary in London - Vivian Carter