Like many of the very first Rotary Clubs in Britain, the Glasgow Club was organised by Stuart Morrow. Following his success in Ireland, Morrow moved to Glasgow in 1912 and in the Spring of that year, the inaugural meeting of the first Scottish Club was held. There were 41 founder members among them Walter P. Laidlaw soon to be the second President. He remained in active membership until eight days short of his 102nd birthday at the time of his death in 1946.

The membership increased rapidly and the first club directory contained photographs and relevant particulars of more than 180 members representing some 173 different businesses and professions. This diversity of occupational classification was not difficult to achieve in a great industrial conurbation with sea routes to all parts of the world including the then British Empire of which Glasgow was the second city.*

From the beginning the Club was deeply conscious of its role in the community. No sooner was it formed than the nation was involved in he First World War and the Club found expression for its civic duty in many ways.

Younger members already part of the Territorial Army, were soon to be found on Active Service, while more senior members became involved in all aspects of war-time civilian duty. A spectacular event which followed a Club luncheon in August 1914 was the swearing-in ceremony of 45 volunteers from the Club as Special Constables.

One of the early members was Harry (later Sir Harry) Lauder - Rotary classification, Comedian. Further reference to Lauder can be found on a separate page.

Based on the 75th Anniversary booklet of the Rotary Club of Glasgow.

* It may not be a coincidence that all the first seven clubs in Britain were located at ports, or at cities with adjacent ports.

Basil Lewis