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Home , Carlton Club, City of London Club, Devonshire Club, East India Club, Eccentric Club, Henry Marion Durand

Issue number 91 April 2015

Schools Schooners Squash Scots Sketches GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM TUMBLERS The East India Square tumbler THE SECRETARY’S OFFICE Engraved with Club directory crest. £18.50 The ATTIRE 16 St James’s Square, SW1Y 4LH Club ties Decanter Telephone: 020 7930 1000 Silk woven tie in club £75 Fax: 020 7321 0217 colours. £19.50 Email: [email protected] Web: www.eastindiaclub.co.uk

DINING ROOM Breakfast Cut glass tumbler Monday to Friday 6.45am-10am Engraved with club Saturday 7.15am-10am crest. £25.75 Sunday 8am-10am Lunch Monday to Friday 12.30pm-2.30pm BOOKS & CDs Sunday (buffet) 12.30pm-2.30pm The East India Club Club bow ties (pianist until 4pm) – A History Tie your own and, by Charlie Jacoby. Saturday sandwich menu available for emergencies, An up-to-date look at Dinner clip on. £19.50 the characters who have Monday to Saturday 6.30pm-9.30pm Sundays (light supper) 6.30pm-8.30pm made up the East India Scarf Club. £10 Table reservations should be made with the Front £17 Desk or the Dining Room and will only be held for Club song 15 minutes after the booked time. Awake! Awake! A recording of the club AMERICAN BAR song from the 2009 St Monday to Friday 11.30am-11pm Cufflinks George’s Day dinner. £5 Saturday 11.30am-3pm Enamelled cufflinks & 5.30pm-11pm with club crest, Sunday noon-4pm The Gentlemen’s & 6.30pm-10pm chain or bar. £24.50 Clubs of London Members resident at the club can obtain drinks from New edition of the hall porter after the bar has closed. Anthony Lejeune’s classic. £28 EAST INDIA ROOM Monday to Friday. Light food and wine menu. Use of electronic devices on silent is permissible. OTHER ITEMS

SMOKING ROOM & WATERLOO ROOM Drinks and light menu from 9am to 10.30pm. Mug Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm. £14

BILLIARDS ROOM Open to members from 9am to midnight. Chocolate mint Pass keys will not be issued after 11pm. Club blazers creams £8 Club shield £295/£325 (navy) £325 (sports) GYMNASIUM £61.50 Open to members from 6am to 10pm. Suitable attire must be worn. Club waistcoats BEDROOM CHARGE £160 Includes early morning tea, newspaper, English Golf balls breakfast and VAT. All bedrooms are non smoking. Titleist golf balls. Bearing Members club crest. £29 per dozen Single with bathroom £103 (£63*) Single with shower £88 (£54*) Single without facilities £72 (£45*) Golf tees Double or twin room for single occupancy £140 Tin of 50 ‘personalised’ Double or twin room for double occupancy £156 Blazer buttons East India golf tees. £7.75 St James’s Suite £259 Double breasted. Reciprocal members & guests £45.00 Single with bathroom £133 (£83*) Single breasted. Single with shower £117 (£73*) £30.00 Golf umbrellas Double or twin room for single occupancy £164 Made in club Double or twin room for double occupancy £186 colours of silver, St James’s Suite £288 blue and red. £17 Club print * Special rate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays A picture of the Post and packing for non-breakables from clubhouse on a £3. Breakable items are for collection MEMBERSHIP CARDS typical London Members are required to carry their membership from the club instead of posting. early evening. cards at all times when visiting the club. It is essential that they are produced when 52.5cm by CLUB WINE: signing for charges to accounts. 40cm. See page 17 for details £61.50

2 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 Refurbishment, Renewal and Regency have been the themes Club diary... of our steadfastly traditional club over the last four months.

The chairman reports on new decorations, entertaining club CHAIRMAN’S REPORT April 3 Good Friday events and a full sporting programme for the rest of the year 6 Easter Monday 11 Varsity Boat Race 15 Library talk - club portraits CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 16 Young members’ dinner 23 St George’s Day dinner t is time for our fancy to turn lightly to is our parish church and members are always May brighter thoughts. Although it is still cold welcome at the services and events in the 4 Bank holiday I – it feels that the winter is over and the church. 13 Annual general meeting spring is bringing us new starts. I hope you That fancy of mine turns now to the 19 Rorke’s Drift lecture and dinner will admire, as I do, the ‘fuller crimson’ of the Waterloo Ball in March. I squeezed in to 25 Bank holiday superb new carpet in our newly redecorated full Regency kit, breeches, stockings and loud waistcoat included. It was an excellent June evening. St George’s Day and the Waterloo 11 Reception & Summer party events of the summer wil soon be upon us. 18 Waterloo service of remembrance Rugby lunches are also under way. This is also 21 Waterloo dispatch reception World Cup year so we will have rugby events and dinner to look forward to throughout the year. The club has secured the maximum allocation July of seats for members for the Twickenham 5 Club match and lunch games. Of course there is also Test Cricket at at Chobham Cricket Club Lords – New Zealand in May and the Ashes 10 Jazz barbecue confrontation with Australia in July. I dare not 16 Wine tasting comment after the last Ashes series but I am sure members will enjoy the debenture seats Bank Holidays in the Mound stand whatever the score. The For the May bank holidays, bars The chairman in Regency costume lunch is jolly good anyway. and catering are closed from 4pm I have promised members to continue to on the Sunday of the bank holiday Dining Room. Thank you to everyone for your report on the issue of the defalcations and weekend and all day Monday. patience while the room was closed through ensuing legal matters from early last year. I Accommodation and continental January but I think it has been worth the wait. am pleased to say that, at least for the day breakfast remain available. It is nearly 20 years since this magnificent to day running of the club, this event is well room was last refurbished. Thank you to behind us thanks to the new arrangements For the August bank holiday, bars James and the team for keeping everything we have put in place and the good efforts and catering are closed after going through breakfast, lunch and dinner of management and staff. In terms of the breakfast on Sunday 30 August and with the unavoidable limitations of space. legal issues, however, it is not over and we reopen on Tuesday 1 September. One extra brighter thought is how splendid continue look for redress. We have now Accommodation and continental the East India Room is. I am sure we will received counsel’s opinion and the advice breakfast remain available. now enjoy it even more as we reintroduce has identified the best avenues for us to all-day service of food and wine bar features proceed. Naturally I cannot report in detail at to add to the variety that the club offers this moment and must avoid compromising to members and guests. It is also a room in our plans. Of course members will be given which members can relax reports of progress as soon as and read something (say it is right to do so and a fuller Tennyson’s Locksley Hall) on A room in which update at the AGM. iPad or tablet. The first event members can relax Well, this young (I wish!) East & West in the reopened Dining Room and read something man’s fancy turns now to was Burns’ Night – a wonderful thoughts of fishing and the Editor: Charlie Jacoby (say Tennyson’s evening made particularly year ahead in the club. As 07850 195353 [email protected] “ Locksley Hall) on special by the traditional toast always, our enjoyment is Designer: Chris Haddon iPad or tablet 01279 422219 [email protected] to the immortal memory by made what it is by our staff. Photography: Phil McCarthy. To download or David Purdie. Christmas and Thank you to all members order photography, login to the members’ the winter season have not faded completely who have contributed to the staff fund; many, area of EastIndiaClub.com and select event from memory. A record number attended but not all, of whom I have been able to write photography the carol concert and winter party. The to personally. It is much appreciated and I Sub-editor: Cicely Drewe advent carols in the Royal Chapel marked can” only ask that we continue to recognise in Printed by: Colour3 (ColourCubed.co.uk) the retirement of Bill Scott as sub dean and this way the great service of our unfailingly Published on behalf of The East India Club by we are grateful to him for all his support. cheerful and professional staff. I am sure it Charlie Jacoby, c/o The East India Club www.charliejacoby.com Also many thanks to Reverend Lucy Winkett, is going to be the best year ever, whatever Cover photo: Gourmet dinner table setting rector of St James’s Church, for her unstinting measure there is. support of the club. Lucy reminds us that it Iain Wolsey, chairman

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 3 NEWS With Waterloo 200 events under way, the club is playing a Games central part, thanks to No 16’s history as the place French Eagles were delivered to the Prince Regent. Members also Chess enjoy the unveiling of a new portrait and a good game of chess The Iron Duke and his clubs Knights of

he Duke of Wellington was a member Wellington retired on Friday night from the board of the Athenaeum, Boodles, Whites, the , he declared that he T the Club, the Carlton would not return to it; and we know that by Colin Ferguson Club, which has The Wellington Dining Room, he immediately set off for Strathfieldsay and was president of the . As [sic], and that on Saturday his domestic n February, the club had the pleasure part of the commemorations, Waterloo 200 establishment left town for the same place.’ – if that is the correct word – of has put together a walk around Wellington’s The Speccy adds: ‘Don’t believe what “his I entertaining the current holders of London on Saturdays until 20 June, and on Grace said”—he is an old soldier, and counts the Hamilton-Russell Cup. Needless to 16 and 18 June. See EventBrite.co.uk and all ruses fair... The , who in 1829 say, it was going to be a most difficult task search for Waterloo Commemoration Walk. designated the Duke as a “pig-headed for the club’s team to win. Especially as The Duke had robust relationships dragoon,” are again cursing him as an the MCC paid the compliment of fielding with his clubs. Reported in The Spectator incapable.’ its strongest side. Even their captain did on 13 February 1836, ‘When the Duke of not make the team selection. A result of 1½ v 4½ against us was not too bad. For the club, Yaroslav Voropayev on Board 1 defeated Tom Eckersley-Waites, a tremendous performance. We play jointly with the Oriental and Hamilton McMillan of the Oriental on Board 2 drew with

Inscription on the mounting block Tom’s twin brother Adam. Both Adam and Tom represented Oxford and Cambridge The Duke’s mounting block is still outside the Athenaeum on the pavement. Opinion is divided whether the club had it put there for the Duke, whether at 6 ft 2in he needed a mounting block, whether after a good lunch height makes a significant difference even to a Duke’s ability to mount, or the Duke had it put there for others. The mounting block outside the Athenaeum For more on Waterloo 200, see page 10 The chess dinner in the autumn

Universities respectively for three New painting consecutive years in the Varsity Match. Another close match but ultimately a 2½ v 3½ loss was the Athenaeum match Derek Thurlow: in January. Star of the evening was yet again Yaroslav Voropayev on Board 1 versus former British Chess Champion immortal in oils Peter Lee, who checkmated his opponent with ten seconds left on his clock. portrait of deputy chairman East India Club/Oriental played friendly emeritus Derek Thurlow has been Left-right: Derek Thurlow, the chairman and matches against Brooks and the Reform president Micky Steele-Bodger A unveiled. Derek has been deputy Club, both of which resulted in a draw. chairman of the club since 1986, when 100 Sandip Basu led the team against the members of the , joined the and won his board, as did Stan East India Club after losing their Ryder Street Stepanenko, Scott Halborg and Nathan clubhouse. Derek was chairman of the Hoyle. Eccentrics. Our combined team with the Oriental is The new portrait is by club member Theo gaining in experience and strength, which Ramos, who has painted most of the recent can only bode well for the future. There chairmen, whose portraits may be found on are 90 names interested in chess on our the top landing outside the Rugby Room. circulation list. To sign up for the chess

The chairman and two Dereks section, please contact the secretary.

4 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 NEWS After a successful rugby season, cricket and dominate Sports Shorts the summer sports calendar. As well as the Ashes, the big match this summer is the club versus Chobham Cricket Club Racquets in a match to commemorate late chairman David Turnbull Anyone for..? Chobham: the fight back by James Hodges

fter a loss last year in the inaugural of the East India Club and president of David Turnbull Cup against Chobham CCC. Chobham Cricket Club is thriving, with A Cricket Club at Chobham, the club’s teams in three local leagues. The recently cricket team is preparing to do battle once refurbished bar and clubhouse area have again. There is cricket and lunch available for drawn many comments of admiration from spectators at Chobham Cricket Club on 5 July. members, guests and visiting teams alike. The match is a memorial to former East The Turnbull Cup starts at noon, a marquee India Club chairman David Turnbull, who lunch is available at £50 which includes a Club squash is at Le Meridien on was devoted to both clubs. It is organised by pre-lunch reception, lunch and wine. Duncan Steele-Bodger, a deputy chairman Contact the secretary for details. he club’s racquets section has members involved in squash, T tennis, real tennis and fives. A new section, it has 45 names on the circulation list, playing racquet sports to a variety of levels. We currently run squash practices every Wednesday and Thursday and we have a squash league, all played at Le Meridien in Piccadilly. Events coming up include Boodles, a grass tennis tournament attended by Nadal, Djokovic and other familiar faces. We also plan to go to Queens Club, Wimbledon, the Canary Wharf Squash Classic and the Yonex All Badminton Championships. Please contact The club’s match last year [email protected]

end of 20 minutes was be deemed to Snooker had received a walkover in the first round, have won. A fantastic night was topped traded bouts of potting and defensive play off with dinner in the RAC’s Terrace Room. before Hassan emerged as the other finalist. The section would also like to thank Devonshire Cup The first frame of the final was close until the Club for their generous Hassan capitalised on Henry missing a rash invitation to attend their evening in blue and cleared. The second frame saw him February with six-times world champion he Devonshire Snooker Challenge building on his advantage and retaining the Steve Davis OBE and leading snooker Cup is the prize for the club’s internal Devonshire Cup. referee Michaela Tabb. The evening T scratch competition. About 15 years The annual RAC snooker doubles included an exhibition match between ago, snooker enthusiast the late Harold tournament was a wonderful event, with Steve and the ’s resident Bloom donated a cup to the club, and the nine clubs represented. Attacking snooker professional, dinner and then trick shots internal snooker competition was re-born. play was the order of the day through time- by Steve, finishing with a question-and- When an internal handicap tournament was limited frames – the team in the lead at the answer session with him and Michaela. added to the calendar, the Harold Bloom Cup Steve is a highly entertaining speaker, became the prize for that event. with a well-honed line in self-deprecating Played in February in the new all-matches- humour. Steve’s brother Keith Davis runs in-one-day format, Hassan Zamir overcame Snooker Services and recently re-laid Bernard Stirzaker (2-1) in a closely-matched the cloth on our own snooker tables. We and lengthy battle of attrition in the first would welcome members’ opinions on round. . Oliver Bolton built breaks well to beat whether they would support an event Jack Swindon (2-0), with strong potting from with a leading snooker player here. Jack making the match rather closer than Our next snooker dinner and the bare scoreline suggests. In the second handicapped tournament, the Harold round Henry Morris narrowly overcame Bloom Cup, is on Saturday 9 May 2015 Oliver (2-1) and Hassan and Irfan Ullah, who Winter friendly with the Roehampton Club starting at 3pm.

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 5 With mayfy out of sight foraging on the riverbeds, it is appropriate that the club’s fyfishing section should do much BACKGAMMON

SPORT AND GARDENS SPORT the same. It has had its fyfishing dinner and there has been a full season for the club’s rugby and backgammon sides HELP WANTED

e will look back on this season FLYFISHING as the setback season, unless W our fortunes improve. Currently in the London League, we have played Fish supper five and lost five. However, all matches have been a 11-7 loss or better. There he fyfishing section, in conjunction have been some bravura performances. with the Lawyers’ Fishing Club, Mark Turner is current top player, with T held its annual dinner at the club nine played and six won. Maxim McDonald in February. It included an appearance by is in second place with a better than Great British Bake Off 2014 finalist Richard 50% record. For more about the London Burr - ‘the one with the pencil’. He talked League, go to MCCBackgammon.com and not about fishing but, of course, cake. In click on London League. addition, Alasdair Shaikh gave a memorable performance of an elderly angler falling into the river. Left-right: Alasdair ‘ompolodgin’ Shaikh, Mary Horticulture Back to the the fishing and the section Harkin of Dublin tackle shop Rorys, and fyfishing went to the Adwell Estate in Oxfordshire section chairman Peter Matthison in March looking for double-figure bags of In the night garden rainbows and brownies. fished on both dry and nymph. The large Those that fished the Loddon at Stratfield chub that frequent some of the beats add he newly invigorated St James’s Saye in Berkshire last year say it is excellent variety to your day. Square Gardens, already and will be pleased to know we are taking The estate has raised the cost of the T benefiting from excellent new the water again via the Lawyers’ Fishing rods this season by a very nominal amount. gardeners now has new lighting. After Club. Members are happy with the way in Prices are still excellent value for money. the gardens’ trustees, including the club, which the river was kept by the estate, the Unfortunately, due to the foods at the end secured planning permission, the evening ability to take guests, the fish limit and most of 2013 and beginning of 2014, the take up up-lighting touches half a dozen plane importantly, the quality of the fish. The fish of the rods at the beginning of the season trees, the Yvonne Fletcher cherry tree and are both browns and rainbows, and can be was poor. The section and the lawyers’ the statue of William lll. club made a loss for the first time on this commitment. The sale of the rods was however, strong for the remainder of the season. The club’s fyfishing section annual sub ramains £10. Thanks to Lawyers’ Fishing Club secretary Nick Marshall who administers waters on our behalf. Among events to look forward to is a June trip to the brown trout lochs of Sutherland. Anyone who would like to join the Richard Burr (standing) entertains fyfishing fyfishing section mailing list, please contact section members and guests with talk of cake the secretary. Rugby wins

he club’s rugby side played fixtures Club chaplain It seems to me there are some things that throughout the season. After a are always certain, and one is the love of God T great start to the season with a in his Son Jesus Christ. 83-27 win against London Japanese, they by Canon Roger Hall MBE His life, death and resurrection which came up against sides from Sherborne he world continues to be a very we recall and remember at Easter is one of Pilgrims (lost 14-10) and the Gentlemen of dangerous place and with talk of those certainties that gives hope in all the Albion (lost 10-5). T further reductions in our Armed doubt and confusion that surrounds us. The Forces one can’t help but be concerned for Easter message of new life and hope has our children and grandchildren. given strength to so many people over the Uncertainty for some people is a continual centuries. feature of their life. I hope that whatever uncertainties you For those people who find themselves have in your life the message of Easter will homeless refugees, life can be far from fun give you hope. and certain. Happy Easter.

6 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 In the early days of the 19th century, dinner at one of London’s great houses was a lavish affair. Just as wide-ranging and 19TH CENTURY certainly more delicious was our gourmet dinner GOURMET DINNER

hef took dinner at Apsley House at the time of the Duke of Wellington as C his inspiration for this year’s gourmet Left-right: Roger, Anna and Theo Millward dinner. With 90 courses to choose from the bill of fare, his six were a triumph. Talking about the accompanying wine was Mark Pardoe MW, the club’s wine advisor. He chose wines to commemorate major battles of the the Napoleonic wars, all with some link, most from grapes grown near the battlefields.

Holly Clements and Adrian Tickridge-Day

Left-right: Matt and Emma Blagg, Richard and Charlotte Atkins

Top Marks: praise for both chef and wine lecturer Mark Pardoe MW gives some background from wine committee chairman David Cartwright Joanne and Mark Furniss-Roe to the wine

him. The prisoner was in arrears of these prisoner at Camden Town by the police, a Eastindiaman payments, and on 12 August he asked reward for his apprehension having been the prisoner to balance his accounts. The offered by the club. prisoner brought him £50, and promised ‘Some further evidence to complete to settle the accounts the next day. The the case was brought forward, and the Embezzlement prisoner never made the settlement, and prisoner was fully committed.’ absented himself from his situation. by the steward ‘Mr Lewis cross-examined to show the system of business adopted by the club with hile researching another topic, reference to cash matters. member Stephen Allen’s son ‘John Almond Tucker, clerk and cashier W Martin came across this item in to the committee, proved the payment of The Daily Chronicle, 5 September 1857, just several sums of money to the prisoner on eight years after the club was founded: particular days. ‘Yesterday, Richard Moore, steward of ‘The secretary proved that these amounts the East India Club, St James’s Square, was had not been paid over to him by the charged, at Marlborough Street Police Court, prisoner. with embezzling moneys to the extent of ‘William Miller, clerk of the kitchen, about £100 belonging to the club. proved the payment of sums of money to ‘Mr Metcalfe was for the prosecution; the prisoner. Mr Lewis, of Great Marlborough Street, for ‘These amounts were also proved never to the prisoner. have been paid over by the prisoner. ‘Bunbury Taylor, secretary to the club, ‘The witness Miller also proved that after stated that the prisoner had been upwards the prisoner had been required to make of two years in the service of the club. It was up his accounts he gave his carpet bag to a the duty of the prisoner to collect money boy to take to Piccadilly, and that he did not from the heads of the different departments afterwards appear at the club. The original newspaper cutting, kindly provided of the club, and to pay over the amount to ‘Evidence was given of the capture of the by Stephen Allen

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 7 The chairman of the from 1941 to 1946, Ormond Blyth, is not only visible to

ORMOND BLYTH club members as a portrait in the clubhouse, he is also commemorated in two other ways. One is his autograph book which, thanks to a kind donation, is now in the Library, and the other is his presidency of the original Blythe Sappers, to whom he gave his name ORMOND BLYTH’S AUTOGRAPH BOOK

hairman of the Devonshire Club Ormond Blyth kept an autograph C book, which records the visitors, famous and otherwise, whose company he enjoyed at the club on St James’s Street from 1898 to 1952. Among the notables are dukes, duchesses, an empress, the author Bram Stoker, the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and the actor Charlie Chaplin. It is full of characterful embellishments, including this from Australian aviator Charles Kingsford- Smith: “An aviator’s life is full of ups and Signatures from 1898: American actress Fay Davis and undecipherable, facing page Field Marshal Sir downs, but the only thing really hard about Henry Wood and Lord Chief Justice Baron Killowen fying is the ground.” The autograph book is on display in the library. The Devonshire Club amalgamated with the East India Club in 1975.

Sketch of a woman with child (1902) by the American Impressionist Robert Reid It includes Dracula author Bram Stoker (1898), actor Fred Terry (1920) and his wife the actress Julia Neilson (1921)

A couple of lines from Alexander MacKenzie’s 1889 Artists, HM King George V, his brother-in-law Sketch by the illustrator Arthur Rackham (1919) composition The Dream of Jubal (1898) Adolphus of Teck and Admiral Lord Beresford (1899)

February 1945 and among those present was It now holds four luncheons a year and Blythe Sappers Devonshire Club chairman Ormond Blyth. At a formal dinner in the RE Headquarters that meeting it was unanimously agreed that Mess at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, with n a difficult period of the Second World Ormond Blyth, who was happy to accept the orchestral accompaniment and corps silver. War at the Devonshire Club, in whose invitation, should be president of the society, For more, go to BlytheSappers.co.uk I premises the was and that its headquarters should be at the also accommodated, a number of members Devonshire Club. Coventon Moth agreed to in the bar were seen to be wearing the Royal act as secretary from his office at 19 Berkeley Engineers tie. When they found that they Street, W1. had all served in the Corps during the First This unique society has fourished since World War, they decided to meet for lunch its formation. Membership is limited and by together about once a month and continued invitation only. Qualification is, by custom, to do so up to the end of the war. commissioned service in any past or present They became known as the ‘Sapper Set’, constituent part of the Royal Engineers: and from them the Blythe Sappers Society Regular, Territorial Army, Supplementary evolved. The minute book shows that the first Reserve, Army Emergency Reserve, National recorded meeting of the Sappers was held Service or Engineer and Logistic Staff Corps. at a luncheon party arranged by J Coventon Rank and titles are deliberately suppressed and Moth at the Devonshire Club on Thursday 15 members address each other simply as ‘Sapper’. Cartoon of the Blythe Sappers in 1946

8 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 CLUB LIFE CLUB The annual whiff of heather and malt that is the Burns’ CHURCH SERVICES Night Supper was the success that members expect St James’s and the Tower

t James’s Church, Piccadilly, has BURNS NIGHT a full programme of music and S church services throughout the day, almost every day. ebruary and it must be Burns Night. Hoots: Former Scotland rugby player Andy On 3 April, Ivor Setterfield conducts the Macdonald gives his guide to Scottish accents Members and guests enjoyed New London Singers in ‘Music for Good F another spectacular evening, from Friday’, including work by Tavener and the high drama of Keith Wallace’s address Brahms. Tickets £10-£28. Other choirs to the haggis, through the robust toast to throughout the rest of the month include the lassies by Andy Macdonald and sporting the Chaps Choir on 10 April, followed by reply by Kay Vartan, to Donald McPherson’s the Tredici Choir 10th anniversary concert memorable Holy Willie’s Prayer. on 11 April. The rest of the month’s Performances of the night go to the evening recitals are orchestral. May’s academic Professor David Purdie and highlights include the Lund University musicians Elliot Goldie and Sandra Smith, Academic Orchestra on 16 May, songs who described Burns’ life in his songs. from the musicals on 21 May and the Corinthian Chamber Orchestra playing Scottish address: Holy Willie’s Prayer by Donald McPherson Brahms and Dvořák on 23 May. The church holds morning prayer every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8.30am; weekday celebrations of the Holy Eucharist every Tuesday at 1.05pm and Thursday at 8.30am. Visit SJP.org.uk The club chaplain is chaplain of the Chapel Royal of Saint Peter Ad Vincula, the Tower of London. It has services throughout the year, including Holy Communion on Sundays at 9.15am and sung matins at 11am (except during August and the annual London Marathon). Great chieftain of the sausage race: the haggis is Left-right: Gordon Kenneth, Ron Elliott and brought out for approval Karl Arnold Visit HRP.org.uk

Needless to say this pigeon lofter’s interest A message from the Pigeon Loft in history extends further than 1815. Last year was the anniversary of the Hanoverian by Alan Taylor That we are this year commemorating Succession in 1714 whereby George, Elector the great victory of British and allied troops of Hanover (and a direct descendant of James t will come as no surprise to learn that under Wellington over Napoleon at Waterloo I/VI by the female line) became George I of the pigeon lofter is a great supporter of on 18 June 1815 would be reason enough Great Britain. A visit to the many exhibitions Icustoms and traditions in the club. One for using the name. But there is another in and around Hanover on this topic proved particular source of pride is the display of reason – which is ‘closer to home’. The irresistible. One of these – in the History public school shields in our Entrance Hall. story is familiar to most of us, but it seems Museum – dealt with the later period of the Reorganised and in a gleaming new setting appropriate here to remind ourselves of union of our two countries and emphasis they clearly state what the club values are it in outline. was put on the first visit of George IV (as the and provide a splendid greeting to anyone On the day after Waterloo (19 June) Regent had become in 1820) to his Kingdom of entering the club. Wellington ordered Major Percy (who had Hanover in 1821. Some aspects of traditional, everyday fought next to him in the battle) to leave During an animated conversation with his club life have recently been altered and Brussels and take his report to London and host at the museum the pigeon lofter naturally these changes ( in most cases ‘thrust upon hand it – personally – to the Prince Regent. referred to Waterloo (in which Hanoverian us’) have been accepted as inevitable. One At the end of three days of strenuous troops fought on our side) and the arrival of innovation has met with general approval. travelling Percy reached London late on the Wellington’s report at No 16, St James’s Square. What was formerly known as ‘The Ladies’ evening of 21 June. After some searching he On hearing about the emotional reaction of Drawing-Room’ can now be entered by located the Prince at a private reception in the Prince to the news of the death of many members without being accompanied by a our present club building. There, in the very of his friends in battle, the director of the lady (or pretending we are expecting one). room we have renamed, he handed over the museum paused and, not unmoved himself, By now we have also become used to the report together with French standards from said: “For me this sheds a completely new light new name : the Waterloo Room. the battle. on the character of the Prince Regent.”

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 9 Dazzling costumes, spctacular music and dancing, and high drama were the themes of a ball to

WATERLOO 200 WATERLOO rival the Duchess of Richmond’s ball in Brussels 200 years ago. Members and guests enjoyed dinner, dancing and characters of the day as the drama of Waterloo unfolded REGENCY BALL

Beaux, belles and Bow Bells

magine the Duchess of Richmond’s Narrators then explained to each room Major Percy and Captain White RN ball, held in Brussels on 15 June 1815, what was happening on the battlefields: entered to announce the victory, the Ithe night before the Battle of Quatre Major Percy to the men, Mr Boehm to the Prince had ‘a moment’ and was escorted Bras, by Charlotte, Duchess of Richmond. ladies. Just a few men returned to the out with Percy and White to read the Her husband, Charles Lennox, 4th Duke of Smoking Room, for the sombre realisation dispatch. Mrs Boehm believed her dinner Richmond, was in command of a reserve of the human consequences of the battles. party ‘ruined’ but, happily, Mr Boehm could force in Brussels, which was protecting that The Prince Regent arrived, escorted by announce that dinner was served. Pipe city, in case Napoleon Bonaparte invaded. two soldiers, and crossed the room to dais Major Stan Hebborn piped the guests from Elizabeth Longford described it as ‘the most and chair. Sombreness is over. All the the room and down the stairs. Dancing famous ball in history’... ‘certainly a brilliant men returned. continued until midnght. affair’... at which, ‘with the exception of three generals, every officer high in [Wellington’s] army was there to be seen’. Expect much the same at the club on the night of the Regency Ball in March. Dance master Stuart Marsden had put in the hours. Practice makes perfect and by the evening of the ball, a core of members and guests knew their steps to music from the British Imperial Orchestra. The costumes were spectacular, and much gratitude was voiced that we don’t have to wear these clothes every day. Military presence came from the Portsoken Volunteers, part of the City of London Home Guard formed in the late 18th century to defend London against a Napoleonic invasion. This company still exists today and the uniform is the same as that used in the time of King George III. They were joined by three pipers. The drama is especially memorable: Captain White called the men in the Smoking Room to confront Napoleon in the Waterloo Room, leaving the women behind. Mrs Boehm’s soiree is interrupted by the arriva of Wellington’s dispatch

Cathedral. Once in London Percy’s 200th anniversary events journey will include additional stops at the Tower of London and Guildhall as ommemorative events in Belgium will The Royal Navy and the Sea Cadet fagship he journeys towards the West End. Over see the largest ever re-enactment will see the dispatch across the Channel Westminster Bridge and passing the C of the battle along with the opening with the handover at Broadstairs, Kent. In Houses of Parliament, Percy continues, of a refurbished and extended visitor centre receiving the dispatch, Broadstairs will also via Horseguards Parade and the Mall to at the battlefield site and, after major witness a pilot gig rowing race over a 20- Hyde Park Corner and No 1 London, before restoration, the opening to the public of the mile course. This race recounts the fact that proceeding up Park Lane to Grosvenor farmhouse at Hougoumont, so vital to the the original sloop, HMS Peruvian, became Square. The post chaise will then be allies’ right fank during the battle. becalmed some 20 miles offshore. This saw accompanied by bands and schools on a Wellington’s ‘new Waterloo’ dispatch, Major Percy and the Peruvian’s Captain James parade down Regent Street to Waterloo along with two replicas of captured White row the last significant stretch. Place, before the final arrival of the very regimental standards, will set off for London Percy will travel by post chaise and four tired Percy in the late afternoon to No 16 as they did 200 years ago, carried by an through major towns in Kent on his route St James Square. historical ‘interpreter’ of Major Henry Percy. to London including a service at Canterbury For more, go to Waterloo200.org.uk

10 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 As the new Waterloo Dispatch crosses from the Continent

Percy’s club 200 WARERLOO to Broadstairs in Kent, as it did 200 years ago, members are connection encouraged to sail their yachts alongside it FLOTILLA

Club boats to accompany eagles

by Jim Miller converted trawler, now a tall ship training ship, and is rigged as a fast xebec capable s the eagles come across the of over 10 knots and 40 degrees apparent channel, they will be escorted by wind. She is striped on the side just like an A a fotilla of boats from the club’s ship but does not have yachting section. On 20 June, crews will rally gun ports. off Ramsgate and Broadstairs. The day is themed around the East India Those without their own boats can Company and Pelican will be cruising to the charter from Heron in Ramsgate or Britannia grave of the HEICS Earl of Abergavenny at Ipswich. Heron has a Sigma 38 yacht which sank on her fifth voyage with he man who brought the French Torbellin. Britannia offers a feet of eight Wordsworth’s brother John in command. eagles fresh from the battlefield charter boats. I recommend the 37-footers Some members may recall that John also T to what is now the club’s Waterloo rather than, for example, the 34-footers commanded the ship on her fourth voyage Room has a club connection. The Battle of since these will have a similar cruising speed when she was present at the Battle of Pulo Waterloo took place some 35 years before to the ship carrying the dispatch. Britannia Arua when the lightly armed Company the club was founded. The grandson of Henry Percy of The Waterloo Despatch was an East India Club member. Sir Henry (pictured) joined the club in 1888 and is on the 1890 members list. Percy’s son was Sir Henry Marion Durand, born in 1812, who took his mother’s surname. He trained at the East India Company’s Military Seminary at and served in India, rising to become Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab. He died in 1871 after a fall from an elephant as it attempted to pass under a low gateway in the city of Tonk, now Tank in . Born in India, his son Sir Henry Mortimer Durand was educated at Tonbridge School. He entered the Indian civil service and, after stints in Kabul and Tehran, he served as British Ambassador to Spain and to the USA. He died at Polden, Somerset, in 1924.

CLUB’S WATERLOO requires the Skipper to have Day Skipper trading feet engaged and then gave chase Service of Remembrance Practical. Heron requires Coastal Skipper to the far ‘superior’ feet of French Counter- Thursday 18 June 2015 at St Paul’s plus two Competent Crew. Britannia is 45 Admiral Linois: fagship the ship of the line Cathedral for a 11am Service. Attendance miles so would need a night crossing from Marengo (74 guns); frigates Belle Poule (40) is by ticket only (now full). Friday at latest. Heron is right on the spot in and Semillante (36); corvette Berceau (20); Ramsgate so may suit crew who have tighter and armed brig Aventurier (16); the weight Reception and Dinner timetables. of shot from one side of Marengo alone Sunday 21 June 2015, reception followed For more about Heron go to being greater than the entire complement by dinner (also full). HeronSailing.com – find Britannia at of all guns of the 27 EIC ships combined. This BritanniaSailingSchool.co.uk saved the City of London of losses of cargo Waterloo walks We will obviously need to press more crew. (let alone ships) to France in today’s money Waterloo 200 is holding a series of walks More history: the yachting section is valued at about £7-£9 billion. around the Duke of Wellington’s clubland holding a day cruise out of Weymouth on haunts. See page 5 for details. the tall ship Pelican (pictured). She is a Jim Miller is Commodore, EIC YS

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 11 Rude, despising mediocrity and perhaps the first great proponent of modern man management, LIBRARY TALK LIBRARY General Sir Charles Napier is more than just a great portrait in the Smoking Room. His career spans most of the great campaigns of the 19th century and he is a hero to Adrian Steger, whose Library talk paints a picture of a man who believed in himself Radical political soldier

by Adrian Steger Napier, sixth son of the sixth Lord Napier and accepted for salary and pension for his family. his mother Lady Sarah Lennox, daughter of There then followed several campaigns lub members will be familiar with the the second Duke of Richmond and Lennox, and the annexation of Sind, and the story Library Dinners at which a speaker descended from Charles II and Henry I of ‘Peccavi’ which means ‘I have sinned’. C talks for some 30-40 minutes usually of Navarre. He didn’t write this telegram. Catherine based on their recent book publication Charles Napier’s background was penniless Winkworth, a hymn writer, had this idea followed by dinner and questions. There aristocracy, excellent social connections and and sent it to Punch which published it as have been several short Library talks, which a radical or liberal atmosphere. All this made a factual report. He said that the conquest are shorter talks over a glass of wine in the a good basis for belief in the need to rely on of Sind was a piece of rascality but that the Library and given by members of the Library one’s own ability, humility, pride and a more populous would benefit. committee for the amusement and interest than healthy contempt for most authority all He was Governor of Sind, retired home of club members. I varied the format by of which showed throughout and then at Wellington’s talking about the subject of one of our larger his life. request went out to India at portraits, General Sir Charles Napier. He In the army he came under Ability, humility, pride the time of the second Sikh has been of interest to me for many years, the infuence of Sir John Moore, and a more than war as Commander in Chief of indeed a hero and, in my talk, I tried to show whose military teachings and healthy contempt the Indian Army. This ended why. In this article I shall attempt the same principles were to remain with his resignation after a “ for authority in less space but make the point that those with him all his life. He was series of disagreements with represented in all the portraits in the club concerned with the health the then Governor General could easily be treated in the same way, being of soldiers and realised that lack of hygiene relating to efforts to improve the army. His of great interest; indeed in talking about and disease killed more men than enemy opinion that potential mutiny was widespread Napier one can cross reference with several action. The habit of aiming for the higher ideal was not accepted. He wanted to increase other pictures. rather than the prosaic necessities or bare troops” carefully, but reduce the concentration was born in 1772 in essentials, was something that developed in the Punjab and increase numbers of both Whitehall. His father was the Hon George throughout his life. Not surprisingly this was British and Native officers. That there was often misunderstood. quiet until 1857 after his efforts is noteworthy. His military career can be summarised as He was now 70 and unwell. The Great service in the Peninsular War, especially the Duke died, which was a loss as Napier Battle of Corunna where he was wounded regarded himself as attached to his coat- in the face. Then Bermuda and fighting in tails. He was a pall-bearer at the funeral and America in 1813. In 1819 he was appointed there were many comments that his were Inspecting Field Officer (spy) to Corfu. Once the shoulders on to which would fall the there, he became Governor or Resident of mantle of military greatness, but this was the island of Cephalonia. Here he tried to not to be. He caught a chill at the funeral and improve the lot of the common people with died not long afterwards. road building and agriculture as well as light- He wrote many books about the army, houses, market places and a quay. Lord Byron development in Cephalonia, Australian nearly persuaded him to take charge of the colonisation and rule in India, and he was Greek army in Greece’s attempt to become much written about by his brother William. independent of the Ottoman Empire. He could see himself and his times in some In 1839 aged 56, in the face of Chartist degree of historical context. He was rude unrest, he was recalled and offered command, in telling the truth, believed in himself, GOC, commanding the 11 counties of the hated hypocrisy and pomposity, so it is northern half of England. One wonders if this not surprising he made enemies. He was was a political appointment with which his oft concerned with the individual, civilian or stated views had not a little to do. He agreed soldier and could be regarded as the first with a lot of the Chartist demands, vote by great proponent of man-management, ballot, suffrage, short parliaments etc. He had loathing mediocrity and corporate mentality. 4,000 men to move at short notice and cover Thomas Carlisle said he had a singular all the major industrial towns of the Midlands veracity and a genius among men. and North of England. He was successful in There are a number of older biographies of this post, keeping order, avoiding clashes, riots Charles Napier and a new one is forthcoming. and civilian deaths. I am grateful to his descendant Col Gerald In 1841 aged 59 he was offered a place on Napier for helpful discussions in preparing General Sir Charles Napier the staff of the Indian army. He hesitated but my talk.

12 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 Christmas at the club is always a sparkling affair. From the Club carol concert arrival of the Christmas tree, the Winter Party and the various carol services and concerts, it is the start of the Christmas ach year, the club is delighted to season for many members receive a school choir for a carol THE CLUB AT CHRISTMAS E concert in the Smoking Room. In 2014, it was the turn of the Rodolphus Choir, primarily selected from members Advent at the Palace of the Eton choral courses, led by Ralph Allwood MBE. Members sang their parts well, and enjoyed dinner afterwards. he annual Advent carol service took place in November at the Queen’s T Chapel, St James’s Palace. This year marks the retirement of Bill Scott as sub dean.

Left-right: the Duc de la Rochefoucauld- Doudeauville, Sue and Richard Muir Beddall

Queen’s Chapel choristers Members and guests file in to the chapel

Carl and Jennifer Statham

The service featured traditional carols Members enjoyed lunch at the club afterwards

Tri Clubs Carol Left-right: Matthew and Emma Blagg, Katharine Service and Nicholas Lewis

he Tri Clubs Carol Service at St James’s Church on Piccadilly brings T together the three clubs around St James’s Square. Afterwards, members repair to their own clubs with guests for dinner or other celebrations, in the case of the East The service features an excellent choir, provided by the In & Out Club India Club, the Winter Party.

Left-right: Graham Cole, Anja Duerden, Natasha Balsanti, Karl Duerden

The chairman with EIC member Alasdair Shaikh in the front pew, primed to go forward and deliver readings Derek and Ann Thurlow, and Joe O’Farrell The Rdolphus Choir

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 13 HISTORY

In a book to be published in 2016, the writer William Dalrymple emperor Shah Alam, exiled from Delhi and will paint a picture of the East India Company as dangerously defeated by East India Company troops, was forced into what we would now unregulated and run by a sociopath – Clive of India call an act of involuntary privatisation. The scroll is an order to dismiss his own Mughal revenue officials in Bengal, Bihar EAST INDIA ANARCHY and Orissa, and replace them with a set of English traders appointed by – the new governor of Bengal – and the directors of the EIC, who the document describes as ‘the high and mighty, the noblest of exalted nobles, the chief of illustrious warriors, our faithful servants and sincere well-wishers, worthy of our royal favours, the English Company’. The collecting of Mughal taxes was henceforth subcontracted to a powerful multinational corporation – whose revenue-collecting operations were protected by its own private army. It was at this moment that the East India Company eased to be a conventional corporation, trading and silks and spices, and became something much more unusual. Within a few years, 250 company clerks backed by the military force of 20,000 locally recruited Indian soldiers had become the effective rulers of Bengal. An international corporation was transforming itself into an aggressive colonial power. Using its rapidly growing security force – its army had grown to 260,000 men by 1803 – it swiftly subdued and seized an entire subcontinent. Astonishingly, this took less than half a century. The first serious territorial conquests began in Bengal in 1756; 47 years later, the company’s reach extended as far north as the Mughal capital of Delhi, and almost all of India south of that city was by then effectively ruled from a boardroom in the City of London. “What honour is left to us?” 250 years ago this year, Shah Alam signs over the Bengal to Clive asked a Mughal official named Narayan Singh, shortly after 1765, “when we have ne of the very first Indian words to house in the Welsh countryside than are to take orders from a handful of traders enter the English language was the on display at any one place in India – even who have not yet learned to wash their O Hindustani slang for plunder: “loot”. the National Museum in Delhi. The riches bottoms?” According to the Oxford English Dictionary, include hookahs of burnished gold inlaid We still talk about the British this word was rarely heard outside the plains with empurpled ebony; superbly inscribed conquering India, but that phrase of north India until the late 18th century, spinels and jewelled daggers; gleaming disguises a more sinister reality. It was when it suddenly became a common rubies the colour of pigeon’s blood and not the British government that seized term across Britain. To scatterings of lizard-green India at the end of the 18th century, but a understand how and why emeralds. There are talwars set dangerously unregulated private company it took root and fourished Shah Alam was with yellow topaz, ornaments of headquartered in one small office, five in so distant a landscape, forced into an act jade and ivory; silken hangings, windows wide, in London, and managed in one need only visit Powis statues of Hindu gods and India by an unstable sociopath – Clive. of ‘involuntary Castle. coats of elephant armour. “ privatisation’ Powis is simply awash There is a huge framed canvas William Dalrymple’s new book, The with loot from India, room that explains how they came Anarchy: How a Corporation Replaced after room of imperial to be here. The picture hangs the Mughal Empire, 1756-1803, will be plunder, extracted by the East India in the shadows at the top of a dark, oak- published next year by Bloomsbury & Company in the 18th century. There are panelled staircase. It shows a scene from Knopf. This article apears in full in The more Mughal artefacts stacked in this private August” 1765, when the young Mughal Guardian Bit.ly/cliveofindia

14 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 WINE

If you have never tried wine tasting before, then club sommelier Eric Lagré’s tastings are a treat in store. In January he held his popular introduction to tasting ODD-ONE-OUT ROUND by Eric Lagré

Mystery tasting... was happy to see so many members tradition and sees its blend aged in new come along to my ‘Introduction to French Oak barrels, when old wood is usually I Tasting’ evening once again. Since the used, and to fix the colour – not to impart Dining Room was being refurbished, we woody aromas and favours. The Priorat actually had to take refuge in the Clive Room, stood out for being a transitional style which cannot accommodate as many people between the fruity Côtes du Luberon and as I would have liked. There were many the more complex and elegant claret. familiar faces. Obviously, the idea of taking Finally, we discussed the question of part in a blind tasting game had not put them colour in sweet wines. It is with a symphony off in previous years. There is no reason to in brown that one is faced when presented fear, for they were up for a fun time indeed. with two deliberately oxidised styles, a ...Eric talks through the wines... I have to say that I am confident to have now Vin Santo and a sweet Madeira, hence the cracked the right formula for the event. It is refex was to state the obvious and say that difficult to approach the tasting technique the third wine, a ruby-coloured Patagonian in a theoretical way. Practice perfects. But late-harvest pinot noir stood out for being how do you make it easy for everyone? made from a red grape variety. But The Duke The specific characteristics of a wine can of Clarence, the Madeira I chose to feature spontaneously be identified only if that wine in the fight, is made from red grapes with features alongside a wine with the exact the intention of extracting colour, not like opposite characteristics, hence the format Champagne, a white wine typically made of the game. The attendees are given three from red grapes. Had anyone been able to fights of three wines each and, in each tell, it is the Vin Santo that had to be picked ...members make up their minds... fight, they have to pick the odd one out, the as the odd one out for being the only wine wine with these opposite characteristics. made from white grapes. That fight was In the first fight, the dry Furmint from quite tricky. One had actually to notice that Tokaji was not as high in acidity, much the Madeira was much higher in alcohol, stronger in alcohol and quite woody and that it was the only fortified wine in the compared to two purely fruit-driven dry bunch. One member eventually came up with Rieslings, one from South Africa, the other the answer. No mystery is ever too deep. from Alsace. This was obvious to all, and As you can see, members are given the after a quick debate, we reached the right opportunity to explore the wine list and, conclusion and picked the Furmint. through play, to unleash an analytical sense The second fight was not as in them which they didn’t know they had. ...are refilled... straightforward. It contrasted two hot- Some of the wines are food wines, and one climate blends from the French Midi and must bear in mind that it is when served Spanish Catalan Country with a more with a meal that they come into their own. marginal-climate Château Talbot 2000. A One more reason to book a table in the young lady was quick to identify that. It took Dining Room and complete the experience. members a bit longer to sense the impact of I hope to see new faces next January for a Bordeaux in the making of the Priorat. That new instalment of the game. Spanish appellation does indeed break with The next wine tasting is 16 July

...think again...

...and drink it

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 15 STAFF

Jetsetting housemaid Fe has divided her career between and, she says, “a good steak”. Her late London, Manila and Madrid. She has worked for the club for father and uncle had a restaurant in the Philippines and her brother is a chef in a 15 years, cleaning rooms and looking after members’ foibles restaurant. She was in Madrid in the 1980s, where she married and had her first daughter. STAFF PROFILE Having learned English in the Philippines, she came to London in 1999. She brought her daughter, who went to school in FE RACELIS Portobello but, after a year, she sent her back to Madrid to live with her father. “I didn’t like the attitude of children in the UK,” she says. Her first job in London was for the Royal Garden Hotel. She met Flora from the club on a bus who said there was a job available as a housemaid. She is now in her 16th year at the club. She was the last maid hired by Leila and has worked with housekeepers and staff including Doris, Lolita and Fe. Fe lived in the club hostel for eight years and now has her own home in Chiswick. She leaves Chiswick on the No 94 bus before 6am in order to be in the club at 6.30am to prepare the tea. “Mr Bray reminded me: the club is the guests’ second home,” she says. “There are so many things to consider as a maid. I have a member with a favourite teacup and another who can’t reach to put his socks on. I have a member who needs many, many pillows!” Fe cleans and makes up the bedrooms. She says that diligence makes her a slow worker. “We have a break for lunch at 12pm. I am always late – but I don’t like queueing for food. We usually finish at 1pm but I usually don’t finish until 2pm.” Fe works six days a week with Monday her day off. She tries to go back to the Philippines every two years. She is already looking forward to her elementary school reunion in 2016. She is especially grateful to the club for supporting her when her brother was stabbed in the Philippines. Michael Howell was secretary and he kindly advanced her the money to go back and orn and brought up in Manila, Fe in Madrid. “I used to work in Manila in the see him. Fe’s brother survived the attack. Racelis led an international life accounts department of an advertising She also singles out club president Micky B before coming to London. Her first company,” she says. “It is hard to leave the Steele-Bodger for his kindness. foreign job was as a nanny Philippines. Fe’s mother is 85 years old. Her father in Madrid for a Spanish “When they offered me passed away four years ago. She has family, where she stayed I have a member with everything free to go to Madrid, I three daughters, the eldest married for eight years. a favourite teacup jumped at it.” and her eldest granddaughter, Monica, After graduating from After her job as a nanny is 18. She has another four-year-old and another who high school in Manila finished, she worked in Madrid granddaughter and a grandson on the way “ can’t reach to and deciding to go for a restaurant cooking in June. Her youngest daughter is working abroad, Madrid was an put on his socks octopus, she says, that were in Ireland as a nanny. obvious choice. Her great bigger than her. For the East Her husband has come from Madrid to grandfather is Spanish. Her family think India Club she is a housemaid, but her talents live with her in Chiswick. “After 15 years, I the same. As well as a brother and sister include a good sense of humour and cooking think it’s about time for us to be together,” in Manila, she has a brother and a sister restaurant-class” fish with white sauce she says.

16 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 SECRETARY porter Mhemed who is currently convalescing A WORD FROM THE SECRETARY after an operation for pancreatic cancer. by Alex Bray A gentle reminder on the club’s more sensitive rules which aim to ensure that n early January the and a glass of wine during the day while the daily pleasures of club life are enjoyed staff party took using an electronic device on silent. The by all members. Please be conscious of the I place with thanks room’s seating area has also helped provide dress code and remember that this includes to the staff panel who guests with a hospitable place to await their breakfast: ties knotted to the collar, come hell made the arrangements host as checking a mobile or reading a Kindle or high water! The exceptions to the rule are and to those committee is permitted. However, the room remains for going directly to and from bedrooms or members who kindly foremost a social room where business the gym. Coats, bags and business papers, gave up their time papers are not permitted. are not permitted in the various social rooms to attend. Staff pensioners are normally Cricket ballot forms are available from the and drinks should not be carried around the invited to this party. Due to refurbishment, office for the eight seats we have at Lords. club, except to the Billiards Room. Please attendance needed to be limited, so the club’s The Regatta office at Phyllis Court is the place either drink up or, if drinks need transferring, pensioners are invited to a summer event. to contact for reciprocal access to Henley ask the staff to assist. The Dining Room refurbishment brought Royal Regatta. The club wishes to encourage existing a lighter tone to the wall colour, some hand Thinking ahead to more clement evenings, members to move on to direct debit payment detailing to the frames of the portraits I regret that the balcony’s low parapet height and, in response to member requests, and a new carpet. The Waterloo Room saw sees it regarded as an unsafe area for use. monthly account statements are now being replacement items of furniture and the Consequently going on to the balcony is not, I issued electronically. Please contact accounts Smoking Room was redecorated. Due to a am afraid, permissible. for direct debit instruction forms and to failure of plumbing behind the wall of the I take this opportunity to announce the receive paper statements if you prefer. basement gents an overhaul of the area impending retirement of Leonora from the Keep us up to date with any change to your will be undertaken. Also the rear ceiling of Dining Room at the end of April after 38 years email address by either sending us an email the East India Room beneath the Library of service for which the club is planning a or logging on to the members’ area of the will have remedial repairs and plans for the suitable send-off. Equally our most capable website to update your details online. refurbishment of the fifth foor middle block maître d’ James Dempsey is planning for It’s not long now until the commemorative singles are in hand for the summer. retirement this year. We are on the hunt for events for the Battle of Waterloo anniversary The East India Room grows in popularity James’s successor which will be no easy task. take place in June for which the club has been as an additional room to enjoy a light snack Many members have been asking after head so pleasurably and actively involved. East India Club Wine Order Form

ORDER THESE WINES FROM OUR WINE ORDER THESE WINES MERCHANT FOR HOME DELIVERY FROM THE ACCOUNTS OFFICE FOR PAYMENT Wine per case of 12 bottles Totals I enclose a cheque payable to Davy’s AND COLLECTION Club Champagne / £137.50 for 6 for £ FROM THE CLUB Club white / £129 OR Club white Burgundy / £151 I authorise you to debit my Wines and spirits per case of 12 bottles Mastercard/Visa/Maestro by Club claret £119 Club red (de Ciffre) / £138 Club white £119 Club claret / £129 £ Club red (de Ciffre) £128 Card no Club white Burgundy £141 Club Champagne (per case of 6) £132.50 GRAND TOTAL Club Cognac VSOP per 70cl bottle £43.50 Name Issue no Membership no Expiry date Address Wine gift box Three East India Club wines in Postcode presenta- tion Daytime telephone Please send your order with credit box – club claret, card details or cheque to: Special delivery instructions club white Davy’s and 161-165 Greenwich High Road, club white Greenwich, London, SE10 8JA Burgundy. Tel: 020 8858 6011 £41.25 Fax: 020 8853 3331

Email: [email protected] Not chargeable to account. Card with handling All prices include VAT Website: www.davy.co.uk fee, cash or cheque.

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 17 The club has its first reciprocal in the Channel Islands. clubs in London (Lansdowne and City The relationship came about due to the snooker section’s University Club). They have particularly

RECIPROCAL CLUBS RECIPROCAL expressed their enjoyment of the friendly competition for the Channel Cup and lively atmosphere in the East India. The United Club has no accommodation itself but they have secured discounted United Club, Guernsey rates for anyone visiting on a reciprocal basis with the Red Carnation Group which by Oliver Bolton has two hotels in the town, one 5*, the Duke of Richmond, and one 4*, the Old he East India Club has established would favourably consider their request to Government House. a reciprocal relationship with the form reciprocal arrangements with them. The members represent and T United Club, St Peter Port, Guernsey. They are a small club (just over 200 demonstrate the ethos and spirit that The club has an ongoing relationship with members). The clubhouse has been newly we look for in our own members. They the United Club via our respective snooker refurbished and offers a fine bar with wide have been tremendously hospitable sections who have an annual match for the views over the harbour at St Peter Port and throughout our relationship with them via Channel Cup, each club taking it in turns out on to the islands of Sark and Alderney, the snooker section and are a lively and to host the event. On our last visit, I was a charming dining room and large snooker friendly bunch. Their own clubhouse is approached by the President of the United room with two tables. While they already well presented and the food and drinks on Club to raise with the Committee whether we have reciprocal arrangements with other offer are to be commended.

majority of Indian third of the Army was assigned to each BOOK REVIEW troops were drawn of these three tasks. The immediately from the north disposable elements of the Field Force and north-west of normally consisted of two divisions and Indian Army: letters the subcontinent one cavalry brigade, with their attached home from the front – the provinces of British units. Punjab, the North- When war threatened in the summer of West Frontier 1914, Field Force units were put on standby n 1914, the Indian Army was a colonial and UP, and the to serve in Europe. When the Germans force of some 155,000 officers and men. independent invaded France in August, the Lahore and I The Indian Army, the 75,000-strong kingdom of Nepal. Meerut infantry divisions were dispatched British garrison of India, the Imperial Service This regional bias quickly from Karachi and Bombay. They Troops supplied by the Indian Princes, and was the result of arrived at Marseilles in late September and A compelling, often the Indian High Command were collectively tragic account of Indians the ‘martial races’ early October 1914, detraining at Orleans known as the ‘Army in India’, which in Flanders theory which before marching to the front. (Other, numbered around 236,000 in all. had infuenced smaller, Expeditionary Forces were sent to The Indian Army was, in peacetime, an British recruiting strategy since the 1880s. Basra, and East Africa.) all-volunteer force, taking in 15,000–20,000 A mixture of indigenous notions of caste The Indian troops arrived in France recruits a year. Its ranks were filled mainly and imported social Darwinism, the martial trained and equipped only for a colonial with peasants. Some had been driven from races idea had at its core the belief that war. Little money had been spent on the land, but most were willing labour some Indians were inherently more warlike Field Army support units: there was no migrants looking to make the most of the than others. Very few troops were recruited mechanical transport, and the artillery economic opportunities. Pay for a sepoy was from southern and eastern India, because of – all British – could be made up only by a modest Rs11 a month (although increased a growing British conviction that southern denuding other divisions. The sepoys had during the war). A peasant family, with few and eastern Indians had become effete to exchange their rifes for the newer other sources of income, would value the through ‘racial degeneracy’. Urban India (but unfamiliar) pattern carried by the remittances sent home by a relative serving was not tapped for recruits, for the same British Army. There were shortages of in the ranks. Some men, primarily high-caste reasons. The Western-educated were also medical supplies and signalling apparatus. Rajputs, were attracted to the Army by excluded from the ranks, for fear of their This book charts their battle history in the martial self-image of their community; politically subversive potential. Many of the Flanders. others, such as Mazbhi Sikhs, were landless Indian troops who served in France in the untouchables. But soldiering in later colonial First World War were Punjabi Muslims and Indian Voices of The Great War: Soldiers’ India was not generally the occupation of Sikhs, refecting the ethnic biases of the Letters, 1914-1918, edited by David the very poorest; the majority of the sepoys wider Indian Army; in 1912 just over half of Omissi, published by Palgrave Macmillan were from the middle peasantry. Soldiers in all combatants were from the Punjab. peacetime would normally serve only with The Indian Army had three main functions: one regiment, to which they could develop the defence of the North-West Frontier of a strong emotional attachment. Most India; the maintenance of internal security men served for five to seven years, before against threats to the colonial order; and the returning to their village. provision of a Field Force to fight an Afghan The Indian Army, however, was ‘Indian’ or Russian invasion, or to be sent overseas only in a nominal sense. By 1914, the vast for imperial purposes. Approximately one- Indian soldiers during the First World War

18 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 PH I Hellman Esq RF Millman Esq OXT Tang Esq NEW MEMBERS New members JH Hinchliffe Esq GE Morgan Esq CJF Taylor Esq The club welcomes the following: MJ Holloway Esq OBE K Oakes Esq JGT Thornton Esq JCW Astfack Esq SAJ Davies Esq M Iversen Esq P Penny Esq L Tonna Esq A Kasraie Esq P Raab Esq S Ayoub Esq BA Desmangles Esq N Treble Esq PP Kearns Esq SJ Revell Esq DSC Barker Esq JD Douvartzidis Esq V Valori Esq AG Broughton Esq P Duke Esq D Keenan Esq P Roberts Esq RJ Willmott Esq TSW Burmester Esq PA Flamank Esq EJ Lally Esq D Robertson Esq JF Cherry Esq AJ Fowler -Watt Esq ST Larard Esq JP J Runnalls Esq I Wren Esq KM Chow Esq JPW Garbutt Esq W McLallen Esq PH Ryley Esq CHC Wyn-Davies Esq DM Creamer Esq JM Hazzan Esq J Merikoski Esq A Simpkin Esq

Kirkham Grammar School SY Lim Esq A Hill Esq New J7 members RE Draper Esq IC Mackenzie Esq The club welcomes the following: CBL Redshaw Royal Grammar School, FJH Turner Esq Abingdon School Downside School Newcastle Trinity School RB Knight Esq T Camprubí Esq Lancing College M Barnett Esq JG Maxted Esq GF Haworth Esq SA Flint Esq Dulwich College Seaford College Wellingborough School Alleyn’s School W Beddows Esq Leeds Grammar School AWS Dane Esq S Beejay Esq T Lamplough Esq M Potts Esq J Wright Esq C Pyne-Smith Esq Sedbergh School Whitgift School Ampleforth College Manchester Grammar WF Hampsey-Cook Esq B Petri Esq CJ Huston Esq Epsom College School MG Hobbs Esq N Au Esq CJ Adamson Esq TEA Wootton Esq Barnard Castle School JHC Barrass Esq A Malik Esq R Makov Esq A Ghosh Esq SEJ Preston Esq Sevenoaks School GA Neven Esq AFW Rigby Esq D Scotland Esq Bedford School Z Bilgrami Esq MJ Newton Esq M Webber Esq SCM Wolf Esq MJL Cloke Esq S Chatto Esq Sherborne School EC Fetherstonhaugh Esq TBH Wolf Esq RJ Friend Esq Marlborough College TC Cairns Esq T Graham Esq EP Fricker Esq A Geoghgan Esq Worth Abbey CC Roberts Esq Fettes College JR Ashbridge Esq M Winter Esq JP Western Esq Monmouth School Shrewsbury School WJ Nelson Esq OW Horsnall Esq Blundell’s School Haberdashers’ Deceased JA Cattell Esq Aske’s Boys’ St Albans School Mount St Mary’s College It is with regret we announce CS Montgomery Esq NGB Flaherty Esq TG Voice HE Hamer Esq JA Mackenzie Esq AA Rossi Esq the deaths of the following members Brentwood School A Modi Esq Norwich School MBA Dawe Esq AH Landis Esq St Edward’s School, Mrs M LB Coulthard Haileybury Oxford AV Davies Esq Canford School C Boy Esq Oakham School NCF Fitzgearld Esq Doctor HTJ Eriksson W Cockburn Esq G Buitoni Esq JMP Woodcock Esq MPG Gummer Esq HPC Firth Esq St Paul’s School IK Madan Esq WRC Porter Esq Charterhouse Oundle School CPS Cummins Esq BJ Relph Esq BAARIBA CA Tebbutt Esq CJ Lanphere Esq J Siu Esq AMJ Guéroult Esq FP Seabrook Esq H Morgan Esq HG Watson-Miller Esq B Joseph Esq GR Tyler Esq Pangbourne College GDS Morgan Esq SA Matthewman Esq OCB Sayers Esq Gone away Cheltenham College WHG David Esq FJ Wilkinson Esq We have lost contact with WDJ Martin Esq the following, who may have Highgate School Portsmouth Grammar Stowe School moved without giving the S Blackaby Esq School Churcher’s College D Devlin-Jones Esq club their new addresses. If WA Tait Esq P Ramaraj Esq MA Di Carlofelice Esq you know where to contact Kent College JJD Gentry Esq Radley College them, please let the secretary’s City of London School JG Wilson-Holliday Esq APC Long Esq TWO Biggart Esq N Amin Esq office know or ask them to get JIH Prentice Esq King Edward VI School, The Grange School in touch: AJH Speke Esq Clifton College Southampton JN Parker Esq AI Buckle Esq C Stevens Esq HME Swindon Esq IN Zheludev Esq J Falvey Esq T Wheeler Esq Tonbridge School GM Gidwani Esq Cranleigh School Royal Grammar School, A Brown Esq AB Ma Esq A Janmohamed Esq King’s College School Guildford J Chan Esq EO Voyce Esq HWJ Phelps Esq S Lynch Esq TW Barratt Esq RC Goodson Esq H Wright Esq

Somerset where he demonstrated a fair for Paul joined the East India Club in 1995 Obituary social aspects of school life while enjoying and served as a committee member for a rugby as a winger and in summer months number of years. He was never happier as a 200-metre runner. Having a talent for than when with his friends at the club. Paul Seabrook mathematics and economics, Paul entered He was often seen in the Library and on further education in London before joining sunny days reading and enjoying a glass rederick ‘Paul’ Seabrook passed the City of London at Strauss Turnbull of something in St James’s Square wearing away peacefully aged 74 on 21 Securities as a stockbroker. He forged a his panama hat. F December at the Royal Sussex City career at various firms, specialising in On 30 April at 3pm, a service of Hospital, Brighton, after a long battle with sterling/dollar convertible bonds and more remembrance will be held for Paul in St illness. A beloved father and friend, he is latterly equity and debt capital markets. He James’s, Piccadilly, for those at the club who survived by son, Michael and daughter, ended his career at Japanese investment wish to pay their respects with family and Helen. Paul was happily married to Judith bank Daiwa Securities in the early 1990s. In friends. There will be a reception at the who sadly died in 2008. his spare time, Paul was one of the world’s club afterwards and Mike and Helen would Paul was educated at Woodleigh leading experts in scripophily and this led to like to extend their thanks to Micky Steele- School in Yorkshire and Millfield School in publishing a book on German dollar bonds. Bodger for helping with the organisation.

EAST & WEST – SPRING 2015 19 Reciprocal clubs

The East India welcomes members of BERMUDA PAKISTAN other clubs from all over the world, Tucker’s Town Mid-Ocean Club Karachi Sind Club who may use the club’s facilities as if Islamabad Islamabad Club CANADA they were their own. A reciprocal SRI LANKA arrangement has been made for Montreal ] James’s Club Colombo Colombo Club members to visit these clubs when a University Club Nuwara Eliya Hill Club card of introduction, obtainable from Toronto National Club SINGAPORE the club secretary, is required. These University Club of Toronto Singapore Tanglin Club clubs have all been chosen for their Albany Club suitability for our members but have SOUTH KOREA different facilities. Vancouver Terminal City Club Seoul ] Seoul Club Vancouver Club UK If you are going to visit any of them, Victoria, BC Union Club of Belfast ] Ulster Reform Club we suggest you telephone first and British Columbia Edinburgh New Club find out about them. Let us have your ] Union Club, St John Royal Scots Club views on your visits and tell us if you Glasgow Western Club EUROPE have found other clubs with whom we Henley on Thames Phyllis Court Club should enter into reciprocal Barcelona Círculo Ecuestre Liverpool ] Athenaeum Club ] arrangements or if one of these, in Bilbao Sociedad Bilbaina London ] ]] Hurlingham Club your opinion, is no longer suitable. Brussels ] Cercle Royal Gaulois (membership card and photo ID is essential ) Dublin Stephen’s Green Hibernian Club Newcastle Northern Counties Club AFRICA Frankfurt Union International Club upon Tyne Perth Royal Perth Golfing Gothenburg ] Royal Bachelors’ Club SOUTH AFRICA Society & County and City Club Guernsey ] United Club Cape Town Cape Town Club USA Durban Durban Club The Hague ] Nieuwe of Literaire Societeit Albany, NY Fort Orange Club de Witte Johannesburg Country Club of Berkeley, CA Berkeley City Club Johannesburg Hamburg ] Anglo-German Club Boston, MA Algonquin Club Harvard Club Rand Club Helsinki ] Svenska Klubben Union Club Kimberley Kimberley Club Luxembourg ] Cercle Munster Bethesda, MD Kenwood Golf & Country Club Pietermaritzburg Victoria Country Club Madrid ] Financiero Génova Cincinnati, OH Queen City Club ] Real Sociedad Española Polokwane Pietersburg Club Chicago, IL Chicago Athletic Association Port Elizabeth Port Elizabeth St George’s Club Club de Campo Standard Club Union League Club Oporto Oporto Cricket and Lawn KENYA University Club of Chicago Tennis Club Detroit, IL Athletic Club Nairobi Muthaiga Country Club Paris ] Cercle de l’Union Interalliée Mountain Lake, FL Mountain Lake ZIMBABWE Stockholm ] Sällskapet Osterville, MA Wianno Club (open May-Nov) Bulawayo Bulawayo Club HONG KONG Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis Club Harare ] County Club Hong Kong ] Hong Kong Club New York, NY Princeton Club Harare Club Lotos Club ] Hong Kong Cricket Club Metropolitan Club AUSTRALIA Union League Club INDIA Adelaide Adelaide Club Norfolk, VA Norfolk Yacht Calcutta Tollygunge Club & Country Club Naval, Military and Air Force Philadelphia, PA Union League Club Club of Adelaide Royal Bombay Yacht Club Phoenix, AZ ] University Club Public Schools’ Club Golden Swan San Francisco, CA Marines’ Memorial Association Brisbane Queensland Club JAPAN University Club Tattersall’s Club Tokyo Tokyo American Club St Louis, MO Racquet Club Canberra Commonwealth Club Seattle, WA Rainier Club MIDDLE EAST Fort Worth, TX Fort Worth Club Hobart Tasmanian Club Bahrain ] British Club Richmond, VA Bull & Bear Club Launceston Launceston Club Washington DC Army & Navy Club Dubai ] Capital Club Melbourne Athenaeum Club Cosmos Club University Club Australian Club NEW ZEALAND Melbourne Club Auckland Northern Club ] Accommodation not available ]] Christchurch Canterbury Club Sports facilities not available Newcastle Newcastle Club Christchurch Club Members are reminded that the production of a Perth ] Western Australian Club current membership card and photo ID is essential Dunedin Dunedin Club Weld Club when visiting . Our reciprocal clubs Sydney Union, University & Napier Hawke’s Bay Club usually require an introductory card which may be Schools’ Club Wellington Wellington Club obtained from the secretary’s office.