Friends excursions: Army & Navy Club
Tuesday 10 October 2017 10.30am - 12.30pm
Army & Navy Club, 36-39 Pall Mall, St James's London SW1Y
£30. Includes coffee/tea/biscuits on arrival.
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Join us for a private tour of the Army & Navy Club, affectionately known as the "The Rag".
Founded in August 1837, the year Queen Victoria acceded to the throne, the Army & Navy Club was formed to meet the needs of the many army officers wanting to join a service club. The Duke of Wellington said he would become neither a patron nor a member of the club unless membership was also offered to officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, hence the Army Club became the Army & Navy Club.
The club’s distinguished former members include Lieutenant General Sir Edward Barnes, the first President who fought at the Battle of Waterloo and Admiral Sir Philip Durham, one of Nelson’s "Band of Brothers" who commanded HMS Defiance at the Battle of Trafalgar.
On our tour with Membership Secretary, Caroline Clarke, Friends will learn about the history of the club and hear the stories behind many fascinating paintings and artefacts in the Smoking Room, Nelson Room, Wellington Room and the Coffee Room restaurant. Hidden gems include paintings by artists such as Sir Peter Lely, David Shepherd, Sir Francis Grant PRA and GF Watts RA and a miniature of Lady Emma Hamilton that Nelson had hanging up in his cabin.
After the tour, Friends who wish to do so are invited to book the club’s private Coffee Room restaurant for lunch – full details will be provided with tickets.