Union Jack Club
Encyclopedia
The Union Jack Club is a residential London
club for members and veterans of the British Armed Services (and their families), including serving members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces, below commissioned rank. Located near Waterloo Station
, the club has over 300 rooms for accommodation (single, twin, double and small flats), a restaurant, bar, small library and function rooms.
The idea in creating the club came from Ethel McCaul, a Royal Red Cross
nurse who was served in field hospitals during the South African War at the start of the 20th century. The Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone of the club in July 1904 and later as King Edward VII
with Queen Alexandra officially opened the club in July 1907. The original Edwardian building was located at 91 Waterloo Road
and was completed at the end of 1904.
During World War II
, the area around Waterloo Station
was heavily bombed and the club was damaged. In 1970, it was decided to demolish the original building and to construct a completely new one. Demolition began in 1971 and building started in 1972. The club's new premises opened on 16 October 1975. It was formally opened by the Patron-in-Chief, Queen Elizabeth II
, on 12 February 1976.
In more recent years, the Union Jack Club would make rooms available, at a reasonable cost, to members of the Civil Service who have business visiting or working within Government departments in Central London.
The club's main entrance is now in Sandell Street off Waterloo Road
, opposite Waterloo Station
. There are spectacular views of London from the upper floors, where many of the accommodation rooms are located.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
club for members and veterans of the British Armed Services (and their families), including serving members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces, below commissioned rank. Located near Waterloo Station
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
, the club has over 300 rooms for accommodation (single, twin, double and small flats), a restaurant, bar, small library and function rooms.
The idea in creating the club came from Ethel McCaul, a Royal Red Cross
Royal Red Cross
The Royal Red Cross is a military decoration awarded in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for exceptional services in military nursing.The award was established on 27 April 1883 by Queen Victoria, with a single class of Member...
nurse who was served in field hospitals during the South African War at the start of the 20th century. The Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone of the club in July 1904 and later as King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
with Queen Alexandra officially opened the club in July 1907. The original Edwardian building was located at 91 Waterloo Road
Waterloo Road, London
Waterloo Road is a road straddling Lambeth and Southwark, London, England. It runs between Westminster Bridge Road close to St George's Circus at the south-east end and Waterloo Bridge across the River Thames towards London's West End district at the north-west end.At the northern end near the...
and was completed at the end of 1904.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the area around Waterloo Station
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
was heavily bombed and the club was damaged. In 1970, it was decided to demolish the original building and to construct a completely new one. Demolition began in 1971 and building started in 1972. The club's new premises opened on 16 October 1975. It was formally opened by the Patron-in-Chief, Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, on 12 February 1976.
In more recent years, the Union Jack Club would make rooms available, at a reasonable cost, to members of the Civil Service who have business visiting or working within Government departments in Central London.
The club's main entrance is now in Sandell Street off Waterloo Road
Waterloo Road, London
Waterloo Road is a road straddling Lambeth and Southwark, London, England. It runs between Westminster Bridge Road close to St George's Circus at the south-east end and Waterloo Bridge across the River Thames towards London's West End district at the north-west end.At the northern end near the...
, opposite Waterloo Station
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
. There are spectacular views of London from the upper floors, where many of the accommodation rooms are located.