Union Jack Club facts for kids
The Union Jack Club is a special place in central London, England. It's like a hotel and club for people who have served in the British Armed Forces, like soldiers, sailors, and air force members. Their families can stay there too!
The club is super close to London Waterloo railway station. It has more than 260 rooms where guests can sleep. There are different types of rooms, including ones for families. You can also find a restaurant, a bar, a small library, and rooms for meetings or parties.
The main door of the club is on Sandell Street, right across from Waterloo station. Many rooms on the higher floors have amazing views of London.
Contents
The Union Jack Club's Story
How the Club Began
The idea for the Union Jack Club came from a kind nurse named Ethel McCaul. She worked in hospitals during the South African War in the early 1900s. Ethel noticed that officers had fancy clubs in London to stay at. But regular soldiers, sailors, and air force members didn't have a similar safe place. They often had to stay in pubs or inns that weren't always the best.
Ethel wanted to create a welcoming place for these brave service members and their families. She believed they deserved a comfortable and affordable spot to stay.
Raising Money for the Club
To build the club, people needed to raise a lot of money. They collected about £60,000 through different events and parties. If someone gave £100, they could even name a room! The famous writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (who wrote the Sherlock Holmes stories) gave money and named a room after his wife.
Members of the royal family also helped. They attended a special concert to raise money for the club.
Opening the Doors
The club's foundation stone was put in place in July 1904 by George V, who was then the Prince of Wales. Three years later, in July 1907, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra officially opened the club. The first building was at 91 Waterloo Road in London.
Ethel McCaul really wanted the cost of staying at the club to be low. She thought it should be no more than one day's pay for a service member. Waterloo was a great spot because it was a main train station. Many soldiers traveled through there to reach ports and military bases. The Union Jack Club was also built to remember those who died in the South African War.
Helping During World Wars
The Union Jack Club was very busy during both World War I and World War II. It grew from 208 bedrooms in 1904 to 800 beds by 1939! For many years after World War I, someone secretly sent money to the club. Each time, a note came with the words "In gratitude for a scrap of comfort." These words are now 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 was damaged and needed many repairs.
A New Building for a New Era
After the wars, the club needed to be updated. So, in 1970, they decided to build a brand new club. The old building was taken down in 1971. The new Union Jack Club opened its doors on October 16, 1975.
In 2004, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visited the club. They helped celebrate its 100th birthday!
Special Tributes
Inside the Union Jack Club, you can find some very important displays. There are boards that list everyone who has ever received the Victoria Cross or the George Cross. These are the highest awards for bravery in the United Kingdom. These boards are unique and the only ones of their kind that remember all the brave people who earned these medals.
Since it first opened in 1907, over 21 million people have stayed at the Union Jack Club. It continues to be an important place for service members and their families today.
