Our History

The original name was the Association of British Public Schools & Universities Men in the United States, the present name of the Club being adopted within a short time. 

The earliest Year Book in the Club's archives is for 1902/03 with the report of the Hon. Secretary, John R. Shannon of Queens, Canada. The report indicates 'a rapid rate of increase in membership' which stood at 202-members, with an annual fee of $5.00. The report includes the death of Lord Pauncefote, the British Ambassador to Washington; a dinner held on Victoria Day (May 24) which included a toast 'from Cape Town to Cairo'; a dinner held on November 9, the birthday of King Edward VII; an evening at Delmonico's on June 12 to celebrate the successful conclusion of the South African War. 

Guests of Honor at the dinner held on November 9, 1903, at Delmonico's included the presidents or representatives of McGill University, Princeton University, the U.S. Navy, St. Andrew's, St. David's and St. George's Societies, New England Society, Canadian Society, Southern Society, the British Ambassador. 

The report of 1904 indicates a membership of 223-members, and the recommendation of an 'ad hoc' committee that the Club should acquire a Club House. Subsequently, a letter regarding a Club House was sent to all members but apparently only 78-replies were received! 

The annual dinner on November 9, 1906 was attended by 133-persons including the British Ambassador, Sir H. Mortimer Durand, and held at Delmonico's. on April 3,1907, a farewell dinner was given to the outgoing British C.G., Sir Percy Sanderson, whose address pointed out- 'that the BS & UC holds a position in New York which no other Society can fill, inasmuch while in other Societies certain restrictions as to birth and descent exist, in the BS & UC British education alone is the bond which brings us together in social intercourse and good fellowship, in one Society, British subjects from all parts of the Empire and American citizens'. 

In 1908 the Annual Report. includes the death of Jerome Flannery, a founder of the Club. It seems strange that at the dinner on November 9 there were present His Excellency Wu Ting-Fang, the Chinese Minister together with Mr. Ho, the Chinese Consular General.

It would be tedious to record membership and dinners held on a year by year basis. From 1905 to 1915 membership seemed to stand at about 260-members with dinners held at Delmonico's, the Arkwright Club, Chemist Club, Athletic Club, Brevoort Hotel, Astor Hotel, etc. 

On April 25, 1910, just 2-weeks before the death of King Edward VII on May 6, the Club drank to the King's health for the last time. With the paucacity of tickets for a Memorial Service held on May 20 at Trinity Church by the British Societies, the BS & UC sponsored their own Service on May 22 at St. James' Church. Cables were exchanged with King George V and Queen Alexandria, whose gracious reply is in the Club's archives. 

The year 1912 reported the death of a member - Dr. W.J. O'Loughlin, the ship's doctor of the ill-fated Titanic. A Memorial Service for those who died on the Titanic was held in Trinity church on April 23 under the auspices of St. George's. 

Following the outbreak of World War I, the Club decided not to hold an Annual Dinner in 1914. Checks for $500 and later for $1,198 were sent to the Prince of Wales National Relief Fund, American Branch with another donation of $4,407 - not inconsiderable sums in those days.

The Year Book of 1916 reports that the dinner on November 9 at Delmnico's included ‘a most stirring address' from Capt. I.H. Beith of the Argyll & Sutherland High- landers-the Ian Hay of 'The First Hundred Thousand'. 

Membership in 1920 was 424-members, and the BS & UC moved into its own quarters on the top floor of the old Waldorf Astoria, Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. The facilities were formally opened on October 9 and consisted of a billiard room, card room, reading room and office. Pictures and furniture were donated by members. And it is reported that the first Golf Tournament was held at the Upper Montclair Country Club. Year Books in the 20's were consolidated to cover 2 or 3-years of the Club's activities. 

In 1921, membership stood at 539 members. A Golf Tournament was held at the Ardsley Club on September 22, while that summer BS & UC members were made honorary members of the Staten Island Cricket & Tennis Club - the 'well-known and old established center of British sport'. At the annual dinner on November 9, an account was given by Major Vivian Gilbert of his experiences of the Palestine Campaign. In that year, a Billiard Challenge Cup was presented to the Club by H.W.J. Bucknall of Uppingham College, the Cup alas has not been seen for some years.

In 1922 the Club entertained Field Marshal French of World War I fame on Empire Day. It is reported that a Golf Challenge Cup was presented by the Club president, C.S. le Poer Trench. Again, the Cup has been mislaid for many years. 

The demise of the old S.I. Cricket & Tennis Club is reported in 1923, when a tribute was paid to its Secretary, Randolph St. George Walker. Walker Park is named in honor of his generous gift to the City of New York. And in 1923 arrangements were made for the use by BS & UC members of the facilities of the Public Schools Club in London at 61 Curzon Street. 

The years of 1924/25/26 do not appear to have been kind to the Club. Membership is reported of 371 in 1924 and 315-members in 1925, in which year the facilities at the Waldorf-Astoria were surrendered. Smaller quarters of a reading room and an office were subsequently rented at the Hotel Shelton. In 1925 a most successful dinner and dance was held in May on R.M.S. Ohio of the Royal Mail Lines, due to the courtesy of Mr. Lloyd B. Sanderson - V.P. of the BS & UC. 

In 1927, membership had fallen to 200-members. The death is reported of The Hon. Stuart-Wortley, a founder of the Club. In 1928 a replica of the Club's emblem was presented to the Cathedral of St. John. The Hon. Secretary in 1927/28, Charles G. Ramsey, provided rather briefer reports than had his predecessors.' 

There is now a long gap in the Club's records. We have no Year Books in our archives until a Year Book covering 1929-1940 and then until Quarterly Reports started in 1948. 

The Quarterly Reports were edited by John Lane with President being Francis T. Sanford, 1st V.P.s G. Piers Brookfield & George A. Lewis in 1948 with Directors of the Club including Sir Francis Evans K.C.M.G, Ralph Bell, Hugh S. Maclean, Thomas E. Ward, Edmund P. Donovan, James S. Dyson. These names will be remembered by senior members of the Club. 

The Annual meeting on January 7, 1948, held at Fraunces Tavern was reported to have been 'the liveliest meeting in memory'. Membership increased to 173-members. The Guest Speaker at the Annual Dinner was The Rt. Hon. Sir Hartley Shawcross. New arrangements with the Public Schools Club were concluded by Ralph Bell. New members included N.F.H. Fleming, Arthur Grundy, The Rev. Canon Edward West, John Webber. The Annual Dinner was attended by Lord Inverchapel, the British Ambassador. 

It is reported that in 1948 a service held at the Cathedral of St. John on April 25 for St. George, was attended by over 4,000-persons with a 'colorful procession of 38-Patriotic Societies'. A sermon was preached for the occasion by Canon West. And in 1954 this same Service is reported to have been attended by over 5,000-persons with the lesson read by the British C.G., Sir Frances Rundall K.C.M.G.

On June 3, 1948, the new British Ambassador, Sir Oliver Franks, presented his credentials to President Truman. Sir Oliver was to become a pillar of the Anglo-American community and a good friend of the BS & UC. One of Sir Oliver's first duties was the ceremony whereby the original Wright plane, the Kitty Hawk, was returned to the Smithsonian Institute. 

Due to the efforts of G. Piers Brookfield, President, arrangements were concluded November 1, 1950, whereby BS & UC members could use the full facilities of the old Princeton Club at 39 East 39th Street, New York City. This was a marvelous step forward for the BS & UC, and without doubt aided a membership drive.

In that year, the Annual Dinner was held at the Savoy Plaza Hotel with Guest Speaker being Sir Oliver Franks. The famous British comedian, Tommy Trinder, was playing at the Latin Quarter and, between shows, entertained the dinner for 10-minutes!

A 1952 Quarterly welcomes new member Norman Basil Bentley, and seeks support for the N.Y. Rugby Football Club which had just held its first post-war meeting.

The major event in 1953 was, of course, the Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, on which date the BS & UC hosted a dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria with a capacity attendance of 250-persons. Under the 3-year presidency of Hugh Maclean and a membership development Committee headed up by the late Arthur Grundy et al, membership increased to 333-members.

The Quarterly report in late 1954 is devoted to the visit to New York in October of H.M. The Queen Mother. Her Majesty performed an amazing number of events, including a luncheon given by The Mayor to which the President of the BS & UC was invited.

At the AGM in 1955, appreciation was expressed to Martin Simms for arranging for the Quarterlies to be printed in England by W.S. Cowell Ltd., and to Quentin Keith as editor. Elected to the Board were Bruce F.E. Harvey, Edmund P. Donovan. The 60th Annual Dinner was held at the Pierre Hotel, at which was present Sir Roger Makins K.C.M.G, British Ambassador to Washington.

Some great events were organized by the late John Webber, who was banquet director of a number of first-rate hotels. For example, the Empire Day reception was again held at the Pierre Hotel in May 1956. A veteran of The East African Rifles, John died on August 2, 1971.

In 1959, the club room at the Princeton Club - used for Tuesday Evening meetings - was turned into an additional dining room. Arrangements were made for Tuesday Evenings to be held at the old Chemist Club located at 52 East 41st Street. It is reported that Roland Oddy captured the Squash trophy and Angus Scott-Fleming the Darts title. We regret that both these Cups have been mislaid.

In March 1966, H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh visited New York, in whose honor a reception was held by the Consul-General - attended by BS & UC president Cyril Sanger.

The annual dinner in November 1968 recognized the late Thomas Ward, Sr., a two-term president of the BS & UC and a founder of the BS & UC Foundation. The guest speaker was The Hon. A.G.R. Rouse, British Consul-General (later Sir Anthony).

In 1968 we hosted a Club Tuesday to a group from B.O.A.C. and later in the year the R.A.F. Association of New York - president Norman B. Bentley. And in that year we made a major contribution to a fund to enable Mr. F.A. Jefferson V.C. (Lancashire Fusiliers, WWII) to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace for the holders of this most famous decoration.

In October 1969 the Club hosted to a buffet luncheon at The Williams Club a visiting 'Field Hockey XI from the Bermuda Police, and also entertained the Trinidad Casuals Hockey XI.

In August 1971 H.M.S. Jupiter visited New York (Commander R.A.F. Laughton R.N.), and the Club took 80-tickets to Radio City Music Hall - arrangements being made by Gerard Hacquebard M.B.E. In February 1972 H.M.S. Ark Royal visited New York under the command of Rear Admiral John Treacher R.N., and we secured 250-tickets for Radio City. And in 1974, we provided hospitality upon the visit to New York of HMS Hermes.

For some years, the Club held most enjoyable dinner dances in December at the Sky Garden Roof of The St. Moritz Hotel on Central Park South, until the hotel changed ownership. It is difficult to remember that an evening on December 17, 1971, organized by B. Peter J. Andrews, cost $15.50 with a cash bar!

In July 1974, under the presidency of the late W.C.W. James O.B.E., the Club changed its affiliation from the Williams Club to the Salmagundi Club at 47 Fifth Avenue. The move (strongly opposed by a small number of senior members) was due to the escalating fees of Williams. This was a difficult time for all clubs, but the move to Salmagundi was not a success. Under the presidency of the late John Brebner, the BS & UC returned to Williams in 1977 where all members of the staff (under the direction of Ms Doris Humphries) gave us a great welcome.

For the Annual Dinner in 1984 under the presidency of Clarence Modeste, a message of loyal greetings was sent to Buckingham Palace for the first time in many years. The reply "Please convey sincere thanks of The Queen to the directors and members." For their loyal greetings upon the occasion of their 89th annual dinner was received to much applause. The tradition has been continued.

In October 1984, a questionnaire was mailed to all members regarding the admission of ladies to membership of the Club. Replies indicated strong support for the change. At the A.G.M. held in the Williams Club on June 17, 1985 under the presidency of Clarence Modeste, a motion was presented on behalf of the Board that " . . . Article II of the Constitution be amended . . . that the Club exists for . . . good fellowship among men and women of British education" and was passed with overwhelming approval!

Enid Harper was the first lady member elected to the BS & UC. Today, lady members account for approximately 26% of the total membership. 

In 1986 the first Gilbert & Sullivan evening was held in the music salon of the apartment of member Robert Dewar ('78). The productions have been directed by member Murray Nesbitt ('81) to always high professional standards.

In February, a most successful Indian Brunch was held in the Nirvana Restaurant on Central Park South. The event has recently been held in the Jewel of India.

In May 1988 Wilfred Greenway ('80) organized a Day at the Races at Belmont Park. The event has been revived my member Jane Owens ('93), a keen supporter of the Turf.

In January 1989 we celebrated our 10th Bangers & Mash evening! Organized by member Richard Clowes ('64), the evening remains very popular and well attended.

The annual Cricket Match against Staten Island Cricket Club was revived in 1988, and has been held without miss since that year under the leadership of member Clarence Modeste ('68). It is a lovely afternoon with tea and refreshments for all.

For several years a delightful Spring event has been a brunch, hosted by member B. Peter J. Andrews ('63) at the distinguished Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, New Jersey.

Another delightful afternoon has been the Croquet Challenge held at the Victoria Home, Ossining, and hosted by the King Edward VII Chapter of the D.B.E. Arrangements have been made by member Andrew and Jean Waud, regent of King Edward VII Chapter.

The opening event in September has been held for some years in the fine Penthouse at Central Park West and 84th Street of member Marguerite Yates ('87). We have generally had good weather to enjoy the marvelous view of Central Park.

The reception to honor the British Commonwealth is held on or about May 24 and has been held in recent years at the Williams Club, English Speaking Union, Princeton Club, etc. The tradition has been maintained whereby the Consuls-General are invited from the Commonwealth countries.

The Annual Dinner (described earlier) has been held in November in recent years at the Williams Club, Women's National Republican Club, the former Netherlands Club, Princeton Club, etc. we have been fortunate to have secured a number of most interesting Guest Speakers.

To honor the British Commonwealth in the Centennial Year 1995, a reception was held in The Princeton Club on May 24, the anniversary of the birth of Queen Victoria in 1819. A large number of Consuls-General of the Commonwealth were present at the reception, which was well attended by members and guests. It was truly a distinguished and enjoyable evening, for which many thanks were extended to Thomas M. Noone and the members of the Centennial Committee.

The Centennial Year was further celebrated on November 3 by a dinner and dance held at The Westbury Hotel, New York City. The guest speaker was the British Consul General, Sir Alistair Hunter K.C.M.G. and, in accordance with tradition, guests of honor were invited from the St. David's, St. George's and St. Andrew's Societies, King Edward VII Chapter of the D.B.E., the BS & UC Foundation.

There is something magical about the figure one hundred! The turn of the century, the ambition of every batsman to score one hundred runs, the congratulations still sent from Buckingham Palace to those celebrating their one hundredth birthday, etc. Certainly the Centennial Year of 1995 was important to the BS & UC. Plannning started in 1985 when a Centennial Committee was formed under the leadership of Thomas Noone. A fine reception was held at the Princeton Club in May, attended by a number of Consuls-General of the Commonwealth.

The major event was, of course, the dinner and dance held on November 3, 1995, at the Westbury Hotel. This was a distinguished and enjoyable evening, of which all members could be proud. There is no doubt that a dais for the Guest of Honor – with the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack at each end and the BS & UC banner in the middle – provides a focal point, and turns a club or hotel dining room into a special venue.

The main event since the Centennial has been the End-of-the-Century dinner and dance held on November 12, 1999 at the Racquet & Tennis Club.  With the tremendous enthusiasm of president Margaret Meyer and the Board of Directors, the extensive arrangements were handled by member Pauline Pastore with imagination, skill and a lot of hard work! Pauline put together a marvelous evening with a buffet supper, exhibition dancers, cabaret act, music of the Century, etc., and it is not too late to say yet another ‘thank you’ to Pauline.

The traditional events of the year remain popular.