1917

Founding of the Club

On 1st January 1917 the Royal Flying Corps Club opened its doors at 13 Bruton Street, Mayfair. Financed by Walter Bersey, it was a small residential club for flying officers on leave from the Front. It became…

On 1st January 1917 the Royal Flying Corps Club opened its doors at 13 Bruton Street, Mayfair. Financed by Walter Bersey, it was a small residential club for flying officers on leave from the Front. It became the Royal Air Force Club on 1st January 1919. As the Bruton Str…

1918

Lord Cowdray

Perhaps appropriately for the new Air Service, out of the blue came a saviour. On 1st October 1918, the first Lord Cowdray offered a gift of £100,000 to provide for a suitable building to house the Royal Air…

Perhaps appropriately for the new Air Service, out of the blue came a saviour. On 1st October 1918, the first Lord Cowdray offered a gift of £100,000 to provide for a suitable building to house the Royal Air Force Club. Taking on the quest for a suitable building himself,…

1921

Clubhouse

Delayed by post-war shortages, work was completed by the close of 1921. Finally, on 2nd January 1922, the Royal Air Force Club on Piccadilly welcomed Members to their new Club. In total, the completed Clubho…

Delayed by post-war shortages, work was completed by the close of 1921. Finally, on 2nd January 1922, the Royal Air Force Club on Piccadilly welcomed Members to their new Club. In total, the completed Clubhouse had cost Lord Cowdray a remarkable £350,000. Although by 192…

1922

Royal Patronage

On 24th February 1922 the Club was formally opened by Group Captain the Duke of York (later King George VI) in a low key ceremony with no press representation. Opening celebrations were completed when on 14th…

On 24th February 1922 the Club was formally opened by Group Captain the Duke of York (later King George VI) in a low key ceremony with no press representation. Opening celebrations were completed when on 14th March 1922, King George V and Queen Mary visited the Club, to b…

1920s - 1930s

1920s and 1930s

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the optimism for healthy membership proved unfounded. Even in the late 1930s when re-armament increased the officer corps to 11,500, membership remained stubbornly around the 2…

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the optimism for healthy membership proved unfounded. Even in the late 1930s when re-armament increased the officer corps to 11,500, membership remained stubbornly around the 2,000 mark.  Despite regular recruiting drives, the Club's appeal…

1945

The War Years

Through the war years the Club was more heavily used than ever before, but with no labour  nor materials for repair and maintenance the building was in a poor state by 1945. Membership peaked at 2,500 and rem…

Through the war years the Club was more heavily used than ever before, but with no labour  nor materials for repair and maintenance the building was in a poor state by 1945. Membership peaked at 2,500 and remained so into the early 50's, when the ending of post-war shorta…

1964

The Colonels' Revolt

Nothing was done to make the Club attractive to young officers serving away from London. Ladies, including WRAF officers, were resolutely denied any form of membership. By 1964 membership stood at only 3,800…

Nothing was done to make the Club attractive to young officers serving away from London. Ladies, including WRAF officers, were resolutely denied any form of membership. By 1964 membership stood at only 3,800 of whom but 1,500 were serving officers and they were resigning…

1976

Fortunately two Senior Officers serving in Paris, Air Vice-Marshal Lewis Hodges and Group Captain Neil Cameron, inspired by the family friendly French officers' club, had other ideas. Under their leadership,…

Fortunately two Senior Officers serving in Paris, Air Vice-Marshal Lewis Hodges and Group Captain Neil Cameron, inspired by the family friendly French officers' club, had other ideas. Under their leadership, the so-called 'Colonels' Revolt'  was to result in a root and br…

1986

The Club Reborn

Now truly the RAF Officers' Club, it was granted a Charitable status. This in turn cleared the way for generous assistance by the Royal Air Force Central Fund in financing a thorough modernisation of the Club…

Now truly the RAF Officers' Club, it was granted a Charitable status. This in turn cleared the way for generous assistance by the Royal Air Force Central Fund in financing a thorough modernisation of the Club, family friendly and attractive to all officer ranks. This culm…

1990

In the years since then, successive committees have invested heavily in modernising the building to meet the changing needs of the members. These included the conversion of the basement area into the Running…

In the years since then, successive committees have invested heavily in modernising the building to meet the changing needs of the members. These included the conversion of the basement area into the Running Horse Tavern, named after the public house that stood on the sit…

2018

Centenary and The Queen's Visit

On 17th October 2018, the Club's late Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, toured and formally opened the new centenary extension. In the course of a busy schedule, Her Majesty dedicated the new additions…

On 17th October 2018, the Club's late Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, toured and formally opened the new centenary extension. In the course of a busy schedule, Her Majesty dedicated the new additions comprising a Fitness Centre, the Marshall of Cambridge Business…

Present

Club Today

Today, the Club boasts around 24,500 Members of all ages and nationalities and continues to celebrate its special place within the club land, and the part it plays within the tradition and history of the Roya…

Today, the Club boasts around 24,500 Members of all ages and nationalities and continues to celebrate its special place within the club land, and the part it plays within the tradition and history of the Royal Air Force itself. Members now benefit from 110 bedrooms, excep…