Union Jack Club facts for kids
 |
|
| Formation | 1904 |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To provide Non-Commissioned members of the Armed Forces with a club and accommodation in London |
|
Membership
|
Enlisted/Non-Commissioned Members of the British Armed Forces |
|
Patron-in-Chief
|
King Charles III |
| Website | https://ujc.org.uk/ |
The Union Jack Club is a special place in central London, England. It's a private club for people who have served or are currently serving in the British Armed Forces. This includes enlisted members and non-commissioned officers, often called "other ranks." Their families can stay there too.
The club is right next to London Waterloo railway station. It has more than 260 rooms where people can stay. These rooms include single, twin, double, and family rooms. There are also special rooms for people with disabilities. The club has a restaurant, a bar, and a small library. It also has meeting rooms that anyone can rent.
The main entrance to the club is on Sandell Street, near Waterloo Road. It's across from Waterloo East railway station. Many of the rooms offer great views of London from the upper floors.
Contents
History of the Union Jack Club
How the Idea Started
The idea for the Union Jack Club came from a nurse named Ethel McCaul. She was a Royal Red Cross nurse who worked in hospitals during the South African War in the early 1900s. She noticed that officers had many fancy clubs in London where they could stay. But there was no similar place for enlisted soldiers. Because of this, enlisted personnel often had to stay in public houses or inns, which were not always the best places. Ethel wanted to create a safe and welcoming place for them.
Raising Money for the Club
To build the club, a lot of money was needed. About £60,000 was raised through different events and parties. If someone donated £100, they could name a room in the club. The famous writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gave money and named a room the "Lady Conan Doyle Room." Members of the royal family also helped by attending a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall.
Opening the Club
The club's foundation stone was laid in July 1904 by George V, who was then the Prince of Wales. Three years later, in July 1907, the club officially opened. King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra were there for the grand opening. The first building was at 91 Waterloo Road, London.
Ethel McCaul strongly believed that brave service members and their families should have an affordable place to stay. She wanted the cost to be no more than one day's pay. Waterloo was the perfect spot because it was a major train station. Soldiers often traveled through Waterloo to reach ports and military bases across the Empire. The Union Jack Club was also built as a way to remember those who had died in the South African War.
The Club During World Wars
The Union Jack Club was very busy during both World Wars. It grew from 208 bedrooms in 1904 to 800 beds by 1939. After World War I, someone anonymously sent money to the club every year. With each payment came a note saying, "In gratitude for a scrap of comfort." These words are now honored on a marble plaque in the club's reception area.
During World War II, the area around Waterloo Station was heavily bombed. The Union Jack Club itself was damaged and needed many repairs. After the war, there was a big need to make the club more modern. So, in 1970, a decision was made to build a completely new club.
A New Building for a New Era
A company called 'Investors in Industry' (now 3i) built three tall buildings. They leased one building for 125 years. The other two buildings became the new Union Jack Club. The old building was torn down in 1971. The new Union Jack Club opened its doors on October 16, 1975.
Royal Visits and Special Honors
In 2004, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited the club. They helped celebrate its 100th birthday.
The Union Jack Club has many interesting historical features. For example, it has special boards that list all the people who have earned the Victoria Cross and George Cross medals. These are the only known memorials of their kind. During important national events, especially Remembrance weekend, the club is a key gathering place for the military community. On the Saturday evening of Remembrance weekend, a huge image is projected onto the club's 24-story tower to honor those who have died.
Queen Elizabeth II was the club's Patron from 1974 until she passed away in 2022. King Charles III became the Patron-in-Chief in 2023.
Since it first opened in 1907, more than 22 million people have stayed at the Union Jack Club.
