Issue number 100 Spring 2018

FLANKER FIGHTER FORM GUIDE FLATTED FIFTH FLUTTER GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM Sport was a rollercoaster throughout autumn, winter and The East India Decanter Club diary THE SECRETARY’S OFFICE £85 spring. Showing a more reliable pattern, club events included

Club directory Ties Christmas festivities, popular dinners with a Scottish and CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The Silk woven tie in club April 2018 Cut glass tumbler English theme, and a general feeling of oasis in St James’s. 16 St James’s Square, SW1Y 4LH colours. £20 18 Young members’ dinner Engraved with club Telephone: 020 7930 1000 25 Wellington Barracks visit crest. £30 Fax: 020 7321 0217 26 St George’s day dinner Email: [email protected] CHAIRMAN’S REPORT Web: www.eastindiaclub.co.uk The East India Club DINING ROOM – A History May Breakfast by Charlie Jacoby. 7 Bank holiday 017 concluded with a busy club excellent evening with businesswoman and Monday to Friday 6.45am-10am An up-to-date look at the 9 AGM programme, on consecutive nights in television personality Dr Margaret Mountford Saturday 7.15am-10am characters who have made Sunday 8am-10am 18 Evening of jazz December, including the tri clubs party providing sound career advice for the next Scarf up the East India Club. £10 2 21 Wine Tour of Bordeaux and carol concert, featuring the impressive generation as well as recalling the lighter Lunch £17 Monday to Friday 12.30pm-2.30pm 28 Bank holiday Gentlemen of Hampton Court. These events moments of working with Lord Sugar on The Sunday (buffet) 12.30pm-2.30pm were well supported and a good number of Apprentice. Another speaker of merit, Dr (pianist until 4pm) Bow ties Compact June members demonstrated serious festive cheer David Purdie, once again supplied the cultural Saturday sandwich menu available Tie your own and, mirror 9 RAF Ball and stamina in attending both in the run-up to side of the Burns’ Night supper. I congratulate

Dinner for emergencies, £22 our Christmas closure. We reopened in January Andy MacDonald who has taken on the role Monday to Saturday 6.30pm-9.30pm with the traditional staff party, where staff and of organiser for this celebration of all things Sundays (light supper) 6.30pm-8.30pm clip on. £20 The Gentlemen’s July Clubs of London V-neck jumper 1 Cricket match vs Chobham their partners celebrate, and your committee Scottish. He has a tough act to follow but Table reservations should be made with the Front Lambswool in Desk or the Dining Room and will only be held for New edition of 13 Jazz barbecue act as barmen for the evening as a mark of received the president’s seal of approval after burgundy, L, XL, 15 minutes after the booked time. Pre-theatre, Hatband Anthony Lejeune’s 17 Wine tasting appreciation for their efforts. On that note I another successful night. let the Dining Room know if you would like a quick £15 classic. £28 XXL. £55 am pleased to report that members have once The UK has been hit by many beasts from supper. Notelets August again been generous in their donations to the the East. According to our recent library AMERICAN BAR £3.75 staff fund which maintained the higher levels lecture, this could refer to Vladimir Putin. Club Monday to Friday 11.30am-11pm 27 Bank holiday seen in 2016. I would also like to congratulate member Franz Sedelmayer presented his Saturday 11.30am-3pm & 5.30pm-11pm Cufflinks September Tim Wilks who has recently completed 30 autobiographical book Welcome to Putingrad years’ employment with the club. which recounted his business experiences Sunday noon-4pm Enamelled cufflinks 19 Library lecture and dinner & 6.30pm-10pm with club crest, in St Petersburg as Russia, under Presidents 21 Evening of jazz Members resident at the club can obtain drinks from chain or bar. £24.50 Polo shirt Yeltsin and then Putin, descended into a 24 Lord Mayor’s luncheon the hall porter after the bar has closed. In red or black, kleptocracy with state-sponsored organised 21 Grouse dinner EAST INDIA ROOM L, XL, XXL. £28 crime. This was topical coming shortly after Monday to Friday. Light food and wine menu. Use of the popular McMafia TV drama. Only a few electronic devices on silent is permissible. Sunday lunch weeks later, the events in Salisbury provided a SMOKING ROOM & WATERLOO ROOM On most Sundays, a sumptuous Drinks and light menu from 9am to 10.30pm. Mug more chilling reminder that this country is not lunch buffet is provided to the Saturday and Sunday 10am to 10pm. £14 insulated from the actions of the Russians. It accompaniment of a pianist. BILLIARDS ROOM was 10 years ago that former KGB operative Open to members from 9am to midnight. Chocolate mint Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned in London Pass keys will not be issued after 11pm. creams £8 Bank holidays and by eerie coincidence his widow Marina GYMNASIUM Bars and catering are closed over was a guest at the club for Franz’s lecture. Open to members from 6am to 10pm. Blazers Club shield bank holidays from after breakfast After the disappointment of losing the Ashes Suitable attire must be worn. £395 (navy) £350 (sports) £35 on Sunday throughout Monday. over the winter, as much for the performance BEDROOM CHARGES (from 2018) Accommodation and continental as the result, there was extra anticipation for Includes early morning tea, English breakfast, Waistcoat The chairman speaking at the members’ and daughters’ dinner the 2018 Six Nations championship. It was discretionary £5 per person per night contribution £160 Golf balls breakfast are provided. to the staff fund, and VAT. All bedrooms are non Titleist golf balls. Bearing a rollercoaster tournament with all home smoking. club crest. £29 per dozen Club plans for 2018 include a continuation nations capable of winning on any particular Members & immediate family Napkin of the room refurbishment programme as day. Ireland was deserved victor of the grand Single ensuite £124 (£75*) hook 12 rooms on the first and second floors are slam. In the club, the rugby lunches, organised Single with small shower £103 (£64*) Golf tees £40 due to be upgraded. by Matt Ebsworth, continue Single without facilities £83 (£54*) Tin of 50 ‘personalised’ Phase one is already to be a draw. Double or twin room for single occupancy £168 East India golf tees. £7.75 After the disappointment Double or twin room for double occupancy £182 East & West well underway and the Next, we host the young St James’s Suite £302 Editor: Charlie Jacoby of losing the Ashes, there 07850 195353 [email protected] second floor should be members’ dinner and, Reciprocal members & guests completed by the end of March. was extra anticipation for after that, the St George’s Single ensuite £156 (£98*) Blazer buttons Designer: Chris Haddon View from the 07792 515056 [email protected] We are also planning to refresh the Six Nations Day dinner, a key date in Single with small shower £137 (£87*) Double breasted. £50 garden Sub-editor: Lucy Sloan the website, in particular the diary is guaranteed to Double or twin room for single occupancy £196 Single breasted. £35 Print of the club Double or twin room for double occupancy £215 to provide a more interactive approach boost English morale. Looking further ahead exterior. £65 Photography: Phil McCarthy. To download or St James’s Suite £335 order photography, login to the members’ allowing members additional functionality we will be staging a club ball on Saturday 9 * Special rate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday area of EastIndiaClub.com and select event and improving member communications. I June and the ever popular Jazz barbeque in July. Post and packing for non-breakables from photography and bank holidays £3. Breakable items are for collection can however confirm that the East & West In addition we have the debentures available Printed by: Colour3 (ColourCubed.co.uk) MEMBERSHIP CARDS from the club instead of posting. magazine will continue to be published three for Lords and the Ascot box for the Royal Members are required to carry their membership Published on behalf of The East India Club by times a year. meeting. Let us hope for a glorious summer cards at all times when visiting the club, and Charlie Jacoby, c/o The East India Club Umbrellas The calendar for the first quarter has and I urge you to sign up for these events and present them on arrival. It is essential that they are www.charliejacoby.com Short. £20 Rugby ball CLUB WINE: produced when signing for charges to accounts. Cover photo: the Front Hall already produced memorable events. The take advantage of the club’s social activities. Long. £25 £25 See page 17 for details dinner for fathers and daughters was an Duncan Steele-Bodger, chairman

2 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 3 NEWS NEWS The club’s sporting programme takes place all year round, with High rollers More shorts enthusiasm for all kinds of minor sports, and the big spectator Sports shorts sports of cricket and rugby well served by our debentures. he club’s casino evening flouts every Straight shots Polo moral uttering on gambling you may T have heard in the past few months. GOLFERS’ FULL SEASON The reasons is that, despite the genuinely happy faces of J7s and their guests who by Ben Hurworth Good sticks were winning, the money they were using by Harman Gill is not real. The emotion is real enough, and aptain’s Day, our last golfing event a superb evening in the Smoking Room of the year at Worplesdon had Alan he polo section goes from to the accompaniment of a band saw the C Botterill (38 pts) ahead of Ian Holmes strength to strength in terms of creation of plenty of new James Bonds and (32) with club chairman Duncan Steele- T numbers on the mailing list (now Vesper Lynds. Bodger third (31). John Luke was nearest the standing at 210) and I would like to take Shooting members (left-right): Dr Peter Lilius, pin and Adam Stevens achieved the longest this opportunity to thank members for Henry Armstrong, Steve Revell, William Downie and Jim Lyon drive. John Braithwaite defeated James Bell their continued support. We had some There were big winners... in the final of the Millennium Cup. great days out last year. embers of the club shooting Our day at the Ascot races utilising the The 2017 season took us on two trips section gathered in South club box was fun and will be repeated this to Guards’ Polo Club and one private event M Devon in early December year. Chris Salmon and Leigh Evans, certainly at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for a challenging day of high swirling frightened the bookmakers, selecting the to watch their cadets play other military pheasants in the South Hams, writes winning horse in each of the first five races. sides. We aim to do four events this year: William Downie. This is the sixth year in In November we resurrected and hosted meet at the club late morning, drive up in succession that members have enjoyed a the annual dinner with Royal Blackheath GC. a minibus, spectate the polo with fellow day’s game shooting at Gara Barton and There were winners... Christmas lunch at the club allowed us members and their guests, enjoy drinks in the excellent hospitality provided by the to reminisce on the season past and look spectacular polo venues and return late owners, John and Sue Potter. The club forward to the next – good food, wine, afternoon to the club. team is now regarded as family and always carols and joke telling being the traditional Snooker receives the heartiest welcome. The ingredients. Ian Holmes, Alan Botterill and Duncan Steele- ...and there were losers trip to Devon no longer just includes the Bodger at Worplesdon Rowing game shooting. Culinary evenings are now Baize brilliance an integral part of the weekends to be Society, the other hosted by our friends at enjoyed by all those attending. Organised by Hassan Zamir the . Mike Lewis was the Mileage for this season was a visit to a local Italian after dinner speaker at the EPICS annual resided over by the ever- restaurant on the Friday for a wine tasting dinner in March. makes enthusiastic Alan Kurtz, the draw and supper followed by a steak dinner at Our golfing meetings this year are at our P for the London clubs’ competition a local hostelry on the Saturday at which old favourites, St George’s Hill, Woking, New gave us a bye in the first round this year. Last members were allowed to open their own Zealand and Worplesdon. In addition we champions year, we lost in the semi-final to tournament wine for a private tasting. For the 2018/19

have matches against Farmers’ Club, Reform by Rory Hunt and Ron Collins winner Brooks’s. season a pheasant day and a snipe day Club, , Caledonian Club, Royal We played the St James’s Cup vs the RAC in North Devon are being organised A spectacular night at the tables Blackheath, Wrotham Heath, The Bar and a s we approach the peak of the away in October. The teams field six players alongside some interesting culinary new fixture against Huntercombe. English Social Season that is each. Luke Gibson and Dave Creamer made evening events. The tour this September will be revisiting A Henley Royal Regatta, and their debut appearances for the club. At the Eastindiaman Perth and will be hosted by the Royal Perth the time approaches to dust off the old break for dinner, we trailed 4-2, needing to Golfing Society. boating blazer, it also means that the win all the doubles frames to retain the cup. Battlefield tour We welcome new members, young and club’s rowing section is sorting out its Steady performances from Jack Swindon and mature and of all abilities; our programme is social plans, which will include tables in Luke Gibson left the match hanging on the lub members are due to set off on a Chris Salmon and Leigh Evans at Ascot. There are posted on the club notice board and detailed the Leander members’ marquee for lunch final frame. battlefield tour of Anzio and Monte still dates for all members to book the club’s box at Ascot. Please contact the secretary on our section of the club website. during Henley week. We are also looking Riddled with misses and flukes, Dave Cream- C Cassino on 13 April (after East & If you wish to become an EPIC then add your to invite a senior rowing guest or two er took a long black over the top corner for West goes to press). Led by Major General Our new year commenced with two formal name to the list on the notice board or contact to join our party. Meanwhile, the spring the match. The RAC will be determined to Sir Sebastian Roberts, it includes visits dinners, one at the club with the Bar Golfing the captain at [email protected] brings with it two events, the first being get their revenge. to Monte Cassino abbey, cemetery, the the end of the head season and big races. Oxford & Cambridge played their first battlefield of Anzio and some time in Rome. The club entered an eight into the Head friendly match against us on our tables. We of the River Race on Sunday 11 March. played confidently throughout and, with the Celebration as RAF hits its century Other members watched from Auriol welcome return of stalwart Bradley Stanton, Backgammon Kensington, which also hosted members we were 7-2 winners, despite the high break t’s the year to reach in and find your The evening will include a Champagne and guests for the Boat Race in what of the evening of 29 from O&C captain David ith a couple of matches left to inner Biggles. This year not only reception, dinner with wine and port, music turned out to be a triumphant year for Bolton. play, the club is lying seventh I celebrates 100 years of the RAF but from the 1940s by eight-piece band Down Cambridge. Not since 1997 had the Light Look out for the new interclub individual W in the London clubs’ league, also 75 years since the Dambusters’ Raid. To for the Count. Dress code is period dress or Blues beaten their age-old rivals in all tournament at the start of the summer. Photo found pinned to the noticeboard. The equal with Home House and ahead of the mark the anniversary, the club is holding a black tie. Tickets are £120 and guests are four of the men’s and women’s Blues and Interested? email eastindiasnooker@ club reminds members of the dress code Groucho and the . Go to ball to honour all the men and women who limited to three per member. Please contact reserve races. outlook.com while in the club. What members look like LondonBackgammonLeague.com shaped the RAF over the past 100 years. the secretary or book via the booking slip. outside the club is, of course, up to them.

4 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 5 The club’s yacht squadron commodore commends the Arrow Cricket In the second of the club’s members’ and daughters’ dinners, businesswoman and TV celebrity

SUMMER SPORTS Trophy to members, an inter-schools series of races in the Dr Margaret Mountford gave the after-dinner speech. She gave both generations career advice Solent in which he took part in 2017. And the man who and touched on some of the funnier moments working with Lord Sugar on The Apprentice. organises it all is booked to speak to members. Sports tourers & DAUGHTERS FATHERS by Ed Case MEMBERS’ & DAUGHTERS’ DINNER SACRED COWES he cricket section is going from strength to strength rinks in the Smoking Room followed ichard Sainsbury, chairman of competitors fleet race to determine the T after celebrating its ten-year by dinner gave both members and the Arrow Trophy management winner of the Charterhouse Bowl. In total, anniversary with a fantastic dinner with D their daughters a full evening’s R committee, is due to speak at the there are five trophies to be won. Clive Lloyd last October. The section is entertainment. Best known for her role in club yacht squadron’s annual fitting out Most crews choose to sleep on board the now gearing up for another busy season television’s The Apprentice, Dr Mountford is supper on 12 April (after East & West goes yachts, but there are rooms available at the with ten plus fixtures already confirmed a successful businesswoman as well. After to press). various Cowes yacht clubs and B&Bs and and several more, including a tour, in the working as a lawyer with Herbert Smith, The Arrow Trophy is a sailing competition links are supplied on the race schedule page. pipeline. she took on roles as non-executive director between independent schools, raced as Sunsail’s F40 fleet has been developed Socials and net sessions (which are at Amstrad and Georgica. She also chairs an annual weekend regatta, in one-design from the Beneteau First 40. Whilst Sunsail also very sociable) at both Lords and the the board of governors of St Marylebone, Daniel Cartwright and Niamh Cartwright yachts crewed by former pupils. Pictures say these can be operated by an experienced Oval have been planned for between now an inner-London on this page were taken by the club’s own crew of eight, we require a minimum of nine and the start of the season in May. Due comprehensive school. commodore, Jim Miller, who last year crewed to the number of games that we have, the Carthusian boat, with a spectacular we are always looking for people to join Afterguard, helmed by a former skipper the section and make their debut for the of Great Britain, with a Flying Dutchman club, regardless of cricketing ability. If you world champion on Trim, a current Royal are interested in getting involved in any Southampton YC double-hander champion capacity, please email eastindiacricket@ Michael and Phoebe Blythin at Tactician and a former commodore of gmail.com RORC at Crew Boss. The event takes place on the challenging Cricket 2018 calendar waters of the Solent, aboard Sunsail’s fleet 11 April, 7-9pm, nets (training), Lords Mark and Isabel Fisher Gordon and Fiona Kenneth of F40 yachts. The yachts are collected 19 April, 7-9pm, nets (training), Oval from Port Solent (Portsmouth) on Friday, 26 April, 7-9pm, nets (training), Oval and sailed, or motored, over to Cowes Yacht 20 May, match, opposition TBC, Haven. The organising authority is the Royal location Greenwich London Yacht Club and the race format is 3 June, match, vs Rascals CC , short fleet racing on Saturday, finishing up in Ticehurst, East Sussex Cowes late afternoon, followed by the Arrow 10 June, match, vs , Trophy dinner at Cowes Yacht Haven. Greenwich Park The top four teams from the fleet races 13 June, match, vs RAC, Battersea Park then go into a series of match races on 16 June, match, vs Errantes CC, Richard Wheeler and Joanna Hook Dr Margaret Mountford Chris and Victoria Payne An Old Carthusian steers his boat to another Sunday to determine the overall winner second out of 24 in race two of the 2017 trophy Greenwich Park of the Arrow Trophy, whilst the remaining 24 June, match, vs Oriental Club, St Dunstans College, London Finding the funny in a cheese-topped bunny 1 July, match, vs Chobham CC 21 July, match, vs Chelsea Arts Club, by Mark Leach, chef de cuisine gates shut behind them. Andrew Boorde So who is right? We turn to Fowler. In Harrow School in his Fyrst Boke of the Introduction his 1926 edition of The Dictionary of 28 July, match, vs Matfield Green CC, ecently a diner at the club of Knowledge of 1542 wrote: ‘I am a Modern English Usage, grammarian HW Surrey commented that the menu is Welshman, I do love cause boby (sic) - Fowler states strongly: ‘Welsh Rabbit 5 August, match, vs Crown Taverners CC, Rwrong and that Welsh rarebit is good roasted cheese’. is amusing and right. Welsh Rarebit is Surrey misspelt as Welsh rabbit. This is not a During the 17th and 18th centuries, stupid and wrong’. Perhaps it is more 25 August, match, vs Blindley Heath CC, typing error. Most establishments which ‘Welsh’ (to the English) meant inferior or about the joke. According to the American Surrey serve it describe it as rarebit, but it was a substitute. A ‘Welsh pearl’ was a poor satirist Ambrose Bierce, in his 1911 Devil’s Boats tucked up in Squadron Haven 9 September, match, vs Old Paulines CC, originally known as rabbit. The East India quality or false pearl and to use a Welsh Dictionary: ‘Rarebit n. A Welsh rabbit, in Mikado, possibly the oldest yacht racing in the UK, here raced by Lord Briggs of Westbourne with the Thames Ditton Club is not, and never will be, like ‘most’ comb was to pull your fingers through the speech of the humorless, who point Chichester Cruiser Racing Club, approaching the crew (maximum of 12) and are allowing up to establishments. your hair. Welsh rabbit is another joke: out that it is not a rabbit. To whom it may Carthusian boat 4024 for a close sail past under three declared ‘ringers’ who are not former There is no evidence that the Welsh they can’t afford rabbit meat to feed their be solemnly explained that the comestible full sail between races one and two, during the 2017 Arrow Trophy pupils of the school they are sailing for. actually originated Welsh rabbit although families. known as toad in the hole is really not a The spinnaker is 128 square metres of sail they have long had the reputation for The first literary record of Welsh rabbit toad, and that ris de veau a la financiere is (dip pole system) and needs firm handling! having a passion for it. A 14th century text comes in John Byron’s Literary Remains not the smile of a calf prepared after the Onboard sleeping accomodation is eight. For tells the tale that the Welsh were being of 1725: ‘I did not eat of cold beef, but of recipe of a she-banker”. To that, I would more, visit ArrowTrophy.org.uk troublesome in heaven. St Peter went Welsh rabbit and stewed cheese’. It was add mock turtle soup, Bombay duck and, outside the pearly gates and shouted another 60 years before Francis Grose thankfully, spotted dick. For me, it will Advance warning: the annual laying up ‘caws pobi’, Welsh for toasted cheese, recorded the name Welsh ‘rarebit’ in his A always be Welsh rabbit, and long may the supper will be held this year on Friday 9 whereupon the Welsh rushed out and the Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. rabbit be rampant. Looking back at about 230 degrees to the windward mark, Egypt Point behind November 2018. The club’s side in Malta

6 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 7 The remarkable racing journalist, radio and television presenter Parts and It is billed as ‘the incredible story of the only man to collect money from Vladimir Putin’, and it Brough Scott came to the club, as did former doctor and now happened to a member. Franz Sedelmayer has catalogued his dealings with modern Russia in a LIBRARY LECTURE LIBRARY LIBRARY LECTURES LIBRARY comedian Adam Kay, both with their new books in hand, and labour new book, Welcome to Putingrad. He came to the club to tell his story to members and guests, both to deliver superb library lectures including human rights activist Marina Litvinenko . dam Kay first specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology – or CHURCHILL ON HORSES A‘parts and labour’ as he calls it. He is HOW TO DEAL WITH VLAD THE IMPROPER now a commentator on the state of the NHS ou may not know how important in Leicestershire and breeding racehorses generally and doctoring in particular. The horses were to that great near his home in Kent, with a short interlude British like to face adversity with humour, ranz Sedelmayer’s story – as told in in 2006. She says of Franz’s book, “Many dead as Boris Nemtsov or Sacha Litvinenko. YEnglishman Winston Churchill. out of the saddle winning a war. and Adam deals with one of the country’s the club at the library lecture – starts people have been wronged by the Kremlin. He’s been replaced by an evil meme, a Brough Scott’s book Churchill at the Gallop: most adverse subjects in fabulously dry F in Russia in the 1990s, where he set Few dared to fight back. Franz Sedelmayer greedy zombie, a caricature of the manly Winston’s Life in the Saddle reveals how style. In This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries about building a successful police supply did — and won!” man: Putin the Great bareback on a horse, they were his escape in childhood, his and training company. One of his biggest Franz says there is a Russian saying Putin the Brave in scuba gear, Putin the challenge in youth, his transport in war, supporters was St Petersburg’s young attributed to Putin that defines the Deadly on the shooting range, Putin the his triumph in sport and his diversion in old deputy mayor, a former KGB lieutenant current situation in Russia succinctly: “For Athlete playing ice hockey with the national age. In an evening lecture in the Smoking colonel named Vladimir Putin. The two my enemies, the law, for my friends, team, Putin the Ninja in the Room, followed by dinner and a question- bonded. For Putin, Franz created and trained everything.” dojo, tossing opponents and-answer session with the author, Brough the KGB’s first western-style SWAT team. He adds, “I shake my head left and right.“ Scott followed in Churchill’s hoofprints from in disbelief and wish for the galloping his pony around the grounds of Volodya [Vladimir] I knew in St Petersburg. Brough Scott and his book, Churchill at the Gallop Adam Kay in full flow Unfortunately for me – and the rest of the world as well – that particular Volodya is as

A packed Smoking Room listens to the author

Library committee chairman St John Brown Franz Sedelmayer signed copies of his book of a Junior Doctor, he shows hospital An elderly Winston Churchill out riding doctors, and in particular himself, as poorly Maybe, by Russian standards, Franz paid, undervalued and grossly neglected was too successful. In 1996, his Russian Blenheim Palace, to topping the riding class professionals who are unfailingly willing to company was expropriated by President whilst army training at Sandhurst, taking give up their own time for free to do battle Boris Yeltsin. Putin, ambitious, political, and part in a famous cavalry charge in Sudan with the health of the nation. And still he ruthless, let it happen. And because he did,

– some say the British army’s last cavalry The Duke of Westminster, Coco Chanel and Winston makes it funny. he landed his first Moscow post. charge – playing polo in India, hunting foxes boarhunting in France Franz sought arbitration and won – but Russia refused to pay damages. Undeterred, Franz waged a 20-year campaign against to exchange a few words before catching the Kremlin and its current president, his A message from the Pigeon Loft up with the herd. former friend. He foreclosed on Russian Before returning to the clubhouse, state property in western Europe. Incredibly, by Alan Taylor poet has it, ‘nor motion’ – looking at him. the pigeon lofter thought with pleasure Franz is the only individual ever to collect With no imminent arrival of a herdsman, how easy it is to establish contact with money from Vladimir Putin’s Russia. itting in our garden in the middle of the pigeon lofter was completely on his club members, too, even with those he Among guests at the lecture was author the square (having first borrowed own. It will not surprise anyone to hear has never met before.This is particularly and human rights activist Marina Litvinenko, Sthe key from our front desk), the that he took immediate action. Looking effortless at the club table. On arrival, widow of former Russian Federal Security pigeon lofter recalled with particular at the dogs he patted his leg and said: young and old introduce themselves and Service officer Alexander Litvinenko, who pleasure walking into the hills of southern “Aren’t you coming to say ‘hello’?”. At once the conversation stays general for a while was poisoned by the Russians in London Spain about a mile from the coast. He had the first dog came up, stood in front of until two or three hit on a topic which just left the top of one of the hills and him and lowered its head to receive a particularly interests them. But beware. was beginning the return stretch when he gentle pat. Then the pigeon lofter pointed It can take hold of you. Not long ago took a break, and leaned against the wall down the track and said, “Off you go,” this pigeon lofter and another member of a derelict farm. and away it dashed, followed by half of maintained a conversation of nearly three A number of goats came over the brow the goat herd. The rest remained with hours. Is that a record? Probably not. It of the hill. All of a sudden he found himself the second dog which was waiting to would not be wise for the pigeon lofter confronted by 70 of them, with two dogs be called forward for its pat. Then it was to impart this to those dogs in charge of in charge of the herd in the middle of their turn to be off. At that moment the the goat herd in Spain. It might discourage them. They all stood – ‘nor breath’, as the herdsman appeared, all smiles and ready them from having another meeting. Dinner and questions-and-answers took place in the East India Room

8 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 9 RUGBY RUGBY It is 10 years since Jonathan Taylor organised a team for the JPR’s lunch Heineken 10s tournament followed by the club rugby’s first XV

match against Chiswick. This season, matches include Merlins, he rugby lunches take place in the London Japanese and Sherborne Pilgrims. days before England’s Six Nations T matches. Organised by Matthew Ebsworth, they included a memorable lunch before the Wales game with speaker JPR CLUB COMPETES HARD Williams. Held as a question-and-answer session with first Matthew, then members espite the sapping mud and cold and guests asking the questions, John for both sides a surprisingly fast- Williams charmed the audience with his D moving match against the Merlins honest and straightforward replies. took place in February. Although a defeat The match the following day at for the club, skills and endeavour where on Twickenham saw England beat Wales show in this heavy-going fixture. 12-6, but the day before – even with some A gallery of pictures are in event Simon Horner touches down for the club admission that it might go that way – there photography in the members are of the was fire in the Welsh who attended. club’s website. The season concludes with a match against Hampstead. Players, including section chairman James Hornigold (right) Keenly contested line-outs

JPR next to his picture in the Rugby Room Jacob Bray bulldozes over

Muddy but unbowed: the club side that played Merlins

Drinks in the Clive Room before lunch

Hugh Orton runs hard at the opposition Neil Wharton refereed in difficult conditions

Matthew Ebsworth (left) talks to John

The Dining Room was full for lunch Forward rucking to set up the backs Simon Bright majestically hoofs the ball The club side and the London Japanese team They won 42-35. We scored one more try but less conversions

10 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 11 EVENTS

You cannot beat Burns for pure expression of English, and so The club’s musical life swells and fills the clubhouse. It reached Tri club carols CHRISTMAS here is his description of what Burns Night has become: St James’s Church over Christmas with the tri clubs’ carol

‘Some hae meat and canna eat, and some wad eat that want it; service. Back at the clubhouse are the evenings of jazz. s a prelude to the winter party, the But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit.’ club joins the other two clubs in A St James’s Square for a joint carol SPIRITUAL JAZZ service at St James’s Piccadilly. Members HIGHLAND HEARTS and guests from the East India, the Rag and the In & Out feel how much they are part of The arrival of the haggis pike Wells is no ordinary musician. A th St James’s parish community, thanks to he Scottish made their presence felt recording by sparked the church’s remarkable vicar, the Rev Lucy for the club’s annual Burns Night S his interest in jazz. He took up the Winkett, well-known to listeners of BBC T celebration. Members and guests drums in his early teens and later had lessons Radio 4’s Today programme. gathered in the Smoking Room for drinks, with former drummer Philly Joe Our Christopher Wren-designed church is and then went downstairs to the Dining Jones. He read Greats at Oxford, where he a centre of worship throughout the year, and Room for Scottish fare led by the great met former club chairman Iain Wolsey, and also has a world-class reputation for classical chieftain o’ the puddin’-race, the haggis. qualified as a solicitor. After practising law music concerts, which also take place all year Organised by Andy Macdonald and attended for 22 years, he developed a strong sense of round, too. Among musical treats in May by Micky and Muff Steele-Bodger, whose vocation that led him to become a deacon in are Brahms’ Symphony No 4 in E minor and idea it originally was, the evening included the Church of England when he was 49 and music by the Copenhagen Royal Chapel Choir. poems, speeches and a lecture about the a year later to take early retirement from the For more, visit SJP.org.uk life of Robbie Burns, delivered by Dr David bank and become a stipendiary curate at St Purdie. And as for Micky? ‘Gie him strong Peter’s Church, Brighton. He now works as The Spike Wells trio underway drink until he wink...’ Katie Dowding replies for the lassies Keith Wallace addresses the haggis – sort of both a priest and a musician, and brought his choice of musicians to the club in February.

Three clubs come together in their parish church

Members and guests in the Smoking Room Spike talks us through the tunes

We learn how Holy Willy meets Cutty Sark The protagonists thanks to Donald McPherson Club carol Fishing concert Members and guests filled the church

n a break with tradition, the club fielded Casting professional singers for its annual carol Iconcert, rather than an invited schools competition choir. The Gentlemen of Hampton Court produced a glorious collection of carols both ome but not much fishing was had in for them selves to sing and for members and the winter months. Among activities, Members and guests in the East India Room guests to join in. S the section went grayling fishing at Wherwell. Highlight of the season was the Carl Statham The Gentlemen of Hampton Court led the singing The chairman gives a reading annual dinner and casting competition. After an excellent supper, in company with the Lawyers’ Fishing Club, and after listening to angling poetry by Alasdair Shaikh, members and guests went to the East India Room for the annual casting competition, where fixtures and fittings take the place of eddies and swirls. Now summer is upon us, we are looking

forward to a series of reservoir days and the Joint winners Stephen Beverley (left) and section’s rented water on the Loddon. The casting competition commences Jonathan Stevens from the Lawyers’ Fishing Club Members and guests enjoyed drinks, dinner...... and carols Caricaturist at the party in the club afterwards

12 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 13 WINE

In September 2017, Andrew Farquharson set out from the East India Club to the Islamabad The club’s relationship with wine matures and refines with Rainbow of styles

MEMBER PROFILE Club in Pakistan. Nothing unusual in that, except he decided to travel there in his Land Rover events to mark our long association with the club claret,

Defender via the ’stans and China. Pour that man a drink. Château Reynier, and tastings for port and white wine. by Eric Lagré, head sommelier

aving invited prominent figures TOOLING OVER THE KHUNJERAB PASS FORTY YEARS OF REYNIER from the port industry to talk H us through their wines over the ndrew Farquharson visited the overwhelming and the first thing they offer by David Cartwright previous two years, namely winemaker Islamabad Club in 2009 and thought you at the customs and immigration is a cup David Guimaraens of the Fladgate A at the time what a good idea it of tea.” arc and Agnes Lurton came to the Partnership (Taylor’s, Fonseca, Croft would be to arrive there from the UK in his The drive down the KKH (Karakoram club to celebrate our 40th year and Wiese & Krohn), Johnny Symington own vehicle. After planning and research highway) was spectacular – “albeit a little Mbuying Château Reynier. Their 40 then joint president of Symington Family regarding visas and vehicle permissions, the scary with the overwhelming number of hectares (100 acres) of rolling countryside Estates (Graham’s, Cockburn’s, Dow’s, vehicle was primed and the adventure set. black Taliban flags north of Gilgit,” he says. in the Entre-Deux-Mers region, south- Warre’s and many more brands), I would He chose a route through Europe to “After a night in this town we were escorted east of Bordeaux, close to the picturesque have thought that members had had Slovenia, then the Balkans into Bulgaria. by four different armed policemen who rode village of Grezillac, is centred around a enough of port, but the event became The Land Rover took him across the north of inside my Land Rover until they felt we were chateau that dates back to the 15th century fully booked instantly.

Turkey to Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, out of the danger zone.” and was, we understand, a staging post David Cartwright introduces Marc Lurton of Ernest Cockburn used to say that ‘the through the Dagestan part of Russia, around Then to Islamabad and Lahore. It was 22 for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Château Reynier to members and guests first duty of Port is to be red’, but white the north of the Caspian Sea and all the countries, two months and around 8,500 Compostela in Spain. Marc told the story of port is produced in a variety of styles ’stans before climbing into China. miles – “and worth every moment”. his internationally famous family (which own ranging from extra-dry to very sweet (or One of the high spots was crossing The Islamabad Club is well positioned such names as La Louviere, Brane Cantenac, lágrima). If standard white port proves the highest border post in the world, the at the top end of the main Murree Road Dufort Vivens), how his grandfather sold his rather banal on its own, it is refreshingly Khunjerab Pass into Pakistan. At more than to Rawalpindi, and has a golf course and half of Château Margaux to buy Clos Fourtet first class when served as a portonic. 5,000 metres, it also has the highest ATM in riding academy alongside it. These have which eventually led to providing each of his It is a revival in mixology that led TFP’s the world. Timing was important. The entry pleasant walking tracks through them. sons with their own chateau. Marc’s father, managing director Adrian Bridge to from China into Pakistan was determined by There are various dining options including Dominique, was given Château Reynier, launch Croft Pink, the first ever rosé the snowfall in the Karakoram mountains. the pool café and a dining area at the golf Andre Château Bonnet and Lucien Château port, back in 2008. Then in 2016, Cruz “There had been snow in early October,” club, together with a casual and smart dress Bran Cantenac. Porto cemented their dominance of the says Andrew, “and when restaurant in the main clubhouse. John Owen, wine committee chairman 40 French market thanks to their ‘Cruz Fresco’ we approached around the Twenty-two “The only thing it misses is a years’ ago, was already familiar with Château campaign, which invited consumers to 23rd of the month, quite countries, two licensed bar as cups of tea and fruit Reynier wines through his wine company enjoy standard red port on ice with a slice a lot more had fallen. This “ months, 8,500 juice do not quite have the same Fields. After identifying, selecting, tasting of orange. All the attendees tried those is a major trading route for effect after a long day trudging and discussing a number of wines the club wines politely, patiently waiting to move China and they keep it open miles and round the city,” says Andrew. “This selected it and, through Marc and his father, on to more substantial styles. as long as possible but still worth every means it doesn’t have the same the relationship was formed. As the middle classes regained buying it means the route will be moment feel as the bar at the East India. Since that time, I firmly believe (and Marc and his remarkable bottle power after the war, they cried out for closed from around the end of The club does however have quite members obviosly agree - as we consume a wine between the fiery port found in October to early April. After the oppression a family feel to it, and it is quite nice seeing some 10,000 bottles of club claret each pubs and the fine vintage ports slowly we witnessed in China the welcome in younger people escaping from the dust of year) that the quality of Marc’s wine has not White wine matured in gentlemen’s clubs. Cockburn’s Pakistan was quite the city.” only been maintained, but has improved. answer was to launch its Special Reserve In addition, the club has benefitted tasting in 1969. Thanks to the funniest of TV through the most advantageous price campaigns (check it on YouTube) the that Marc gives us, particularly when one he club head sommelier Eric wine established itself as the single considers that Marc is willing then to store Lagré held a white wine tasting best-selling brand on the market. In 1970, it for us (fully insured) and free of charge, Tin the Clive Room in January Alistair Robertson of Taylor’s introduced currently for some five years, as club specifically for young members and a filtered version of late-bottled vintage members like our club claret to have some guests. Next tasting is Andalusian wine port, close in style to vintage port. I served age and maturity. on 17 July. Please contact the secretary, the 2007 Dow’s to demonstrate how Marc’s wine is bred to accompany food fill in the booking slip or go online to youthful the colour of a young vintage and for this reason, along with the value book your space. port looked in comparison. It was a for money it provides, it is so popular in the sacrilege to pop the cork so prematurely, dining room. Marc tries to keep the alcohol yet the chocolate-sauce quality of content to a sensible 12.5%. the wine was delightful regardless. In He does all this, despite the vagaries of contrast, the outstanding 1992 Taylor’s, winemaking. Particularly difficult years were which now graces our wine list, has 2013 (hail stones) and 2017 (frost). developed into a complex offering akin to In 1997 John and fellow wine committee liquid fruitcake. member Robin Beckwith proposed and Many members still find the concept seconded Marc to membership of the club. of ‘classic vintage declaration” rather Marc says that since that day he has been mysterious. Every question on that proud to be a member of the club. “I feel at subject will, I hope, be answered by David

home when I am staying there and everyone Eric in full flow Guimaraens in the autumn. Stay tuned. is nice to me,” he says.

14 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 15 With 30 years of service at the club to his name, assistant secretary Tim Wilks is well placed SECRETARY STAFF PROFILE STAFF to discuss what has changed not just at the East India but across clubland. He says that the A WORD FROM THE SECRETARY word which defines clubland and the relationship between staff and members is ‘respect’. by Alex Bray

embership floor rooms in midsummer. Looking ahead we aim to celebrate the STAFF PROFILE remained There are other repair and maintenance 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force M at optimum projects on the cards for the year, all of with a costume ball in June and, to be members is ‘respect’. If clubland could be said at the year end. which are managed according to our five- announced, a talk and dinner in September. Tim Wilks to have an inner nobility, it is down to this. And The annual renewal year rolling plan for refurbishment. This Any members with RAF memorabilia we Tim worries that respect can easily slip away. window has closed enables the relevant committees to see could use that they could let me borrow Among other changes to clubland in and the committee what is coming, and to guide commitments. please be in touch. the last 30 years are computers, internet, requires the front The big staff announcement is that at In the background we have been working email and the ease of communication. “It’s hall staff to be even more diligent in asking the end of March our reliable and capable on preparing the club to comply with instantaneous,” he says, and he is secretly members to show their membership card on breakfast chef Genevevo ‘Bibo’ Ratio (see the General Data Protection Regulations grateful for the move to computers. “My arrival. One helpful suggestion is a different East & West, August 2012) will retire having coming into force from May 2018. As with handwrting is pretty terrible,” he says. “20 colour card each year to help the staff in completed just shy of 20 years’ service. all businesses, we are required to have years ago, when we wrote out letters in this important duty, or the possible option Bibo was recruited to the club’s kitchen understood how we manage personal data longhand and typists typed them up, only for a card which facilitates swipe-in and use by chef Mark Leach and has been a great and to update policy relevant to members Joan could read my writing. She could read it of services when in the club. As we explore success. He was 70 years-old in January. He and staff. In addition, an update to the club’s even when I couldn’t read it.” these ideas please feel free to offer your says he is looking forward to spending more website is underway, with members of the thoughts. time with his family, having a few lie-ins and main committee having helped with the For members who, for whatever reason, perhaps the occasional breakfast cooked for brief. Clubland is business, want to give up membership: you are him. We wish Bibo a very happy retirement At the very beginning of the year the staff standards of dining have encouraged to send in a formal resignation and thank him for his dedication to his work party took place, with thanks to the staff “ improved across all clubs rather than simply let your membership run and the club. panel who made the arrangements and and bedrooms are now out. The club likes to keep abreast of the Another notable milestone is Tim Wilks, to those committee members who kindly up to hotel standard reasons for the ebb and flow of members. assistant secretary club services, who in gave up their time to serve behind the bar The refurbishment of six-and-a-half December clocked up 30 years’ service. and to add to the occasion. Members in the second-floor bedrooms in the middle of Having started here when Mr M Steele- West End in January would have also been Tim believes that technology helps” the the building is almost complete. It will be Bodger was chairman, Tim passes 30 years aware of the Lumiere light festival and the relationship between staff and members. followed by the refurbishment of six first- with Mr D Steele-Bodger as chairman. impressive installation in St James’s Square. “All the departments in the club have more interaction with members because they can exchange emails,” he says. ”But I do think one downside is that we use emails when a East India Club Wine Order Form phone call would cover many more points.” Much of Tim’s job today is communication ORDER THESE WINES as he manages the bedroom refurbishment. ORDER THESE WINES FROM OUR WINE FROM THE ACCOUNTS When electricians want to switch off the OFFICE FOR PAYMENT lights, Tim achieves agreement from the MERCHANT FOR HOME DELIVERY other departments when to do it. Among his AND COLLECTION bigger jobs, he managed the nine-month new FROM THE CLUB kitchen build. When the club put in a new ver the last 30 years, much has against hotels. “If you do that, then you boiler house, it took five months,”not helped Wines and spirits per case of 12 bottles Club claret £127 changed in London’s clubs: not become like a hotel,” he says. “If you try to by Westminster Council’s planners’ views on Club white £132 O just what they offer, but the beat them, you join them.” the final colouring of the flue,” he says. Club red (de Ciffre) £132 expectation of what they should offer. Tim For Tim, the word that sums up the Tim married his wife Therasa in 2001 and Club white Burgundy £162 observes that clubland is much busier than relationship between a club’s staff and its they live at Ashurst in the New Forest. Club Champagne (per case of 6) £149 when he started at the East India Club in Club Cognac VSOP per 70cl bottle £43.50 1987. “Standards of dining have improved Wine across all the clubs, and bedrooms are now gift box up to hotel standard,” he says. Three East Clubs still have the edge over hotels, India Club wines in a because of the relationship between Wine per case of 12 bottles staff and members in a club, which is only Please order on-line or by phone. presentation Club Champagne / £155 for 6 box – available in the most expensive hotels. ”It’s Club white / £144 club claret, because of the length of service we have Davy’s Wine Merchants, club white here,” says Tim. “The hotels have a higher Club white Burgundy / £174 161-165 Greenwich High Road, and turnover of staff. Because of that, some Club red (de Ciffre) / £144 Greenwich, London, SE10 8JA club white of them maintain a complicated indexing Club claret / £139 Tel: 020 8858 6011 Burgundy. £43 system to help them keep track of and Fax: 020 8853 3331 recognise guests.” Email: [email protected] Tim says, however, clubs are in danger All prices include VAT Website: www.davywine.co.uk/eic Not chargeable to account. Card with handling fee, cash or cheque. of judging themselves and what they do Tim receives his long service award from the committee

16 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 17 OBITUARIES J Edgar Esq Dr JC Macartney Dr A Sinha NEW MEMBERS MARTIN BREWER New members A Feicht Esq DP McInerney Esq JM Smith Esq The club welcomes the following: PM Gale Esq A Noel Esq RE Tamraz Esq AP Goucher Esq J Phillipou Esq CM Thorne Esq former deputy chairman, doyen of Miles Gemini at White Waltham. “I managed CRA Anderson Esq SR Built Esq S Pitt Esq TCJ Hardman Esq G Thorpe Esq TW Ashley Esq D Campbell Esq P Pratelli Esq EPICS and livewire of the American to free one leg but not the other. I was Dr PA Tully KC Holdt Esq EA Proffitt Esq AJ Barker Esq W Carlisle Esq JO Turnbull Esq bar, Martin Brewer has died aged 88. able to save the wing and the engine and G Langton Esq CD Rawstron Esq A C Bell Esq DF Cordeaux Esq RF Underwood Esq Born in Maidenhead in 1929 he was although there was a lot of dust, there WC Lingfield Esq KA Sandford Esq JEH Borgstrom Esq HB Cross Esq M Van Horen Esq originally a member of the Public Schools wasn’t any blood. However, the idiot A Lloyd Esq GJ Sargent-Childs Esq JG Brearley Esq A Derbie Esq TAS Long Esq M Schlomski Esq J West-Sherring Esq Club, having attended Bradfield from 1943 passenger I was carrying was sick all over P Buck Esq R Donaghy Esq CP Lusted Esq TG Sibbald Esq JCR Woods to 1947. Then came national service in the me, which I could have done without.” Kimbolton School Queen Elizabeth’s Stewart’s Melville College Royal Air Force, after which he went on to On another occasion icing problems New J7 members JMC Blane Esq Hospital RJ Coyne Esq join the RAFVR, where he took up flying. in Ireland resulted in a crash landing on The club welcomes the following: King’s College School, H Ahmed Esq Stowe School A seaplane rating led to flying at Lee- Limerick Junction racecourse in a Piper Abingdon School Culford School Wimbledon BA Trotman Esq J Dolder Esq on-Solent and in the Bahamas. It also led Comanche. The end result was that the EJ Adamson Esq AE Sanderson Esq OD Kelliher Esq Radley College NA Smith Esq L Hampden Esq SN Leavitt Esq Dauntsey’s School RAD Eyre Esq Tonbridge School to Martin’s part-ownership of a slightly odd plane was so badly damaged he and the loss WC Leavitt Esq Alleyn’s School HE Kiff Esq DM Kirchlechner Esq NT Friend Esq seaplane. He and a number of others formed adjuster finished up taking it to pieces and G Hartley Esq AJ Oldroyd Esq S Lee Esq TB Green Esq Downside School a syndicate known as the Seaplane Club, bringing it back to England in a borrowed King’s School, Bruton C Rothbarth Esq D Leroni Esq Ampleforth College C Day Esq GSC Airey Esq HJ Ryan Esq Wellington College, which was part of the Tiger Club founded by horse box. J Gordon Esq MS Li Esq TC Ryan Esq Berkshire Barnard Castle School JR Ng Esq King’s School, Canterbury Norman Jones. He was also a member of the Royal Aero JJB Sheppard Esq L Symonds Esq DC Custance Esq AH St V O’Devlin Esq NQ Nugee Esq The syndicate got hold of a Tiger Moth Club, whose members included John Blake P Suwannakarn Esq MJ Dalton Esq PAM Poitrinal D’Hauterives Esq R Chan Esq West Buckland School and an Aronca, took the floats off the latter who, among his talents, had the knack of DN Hall Esq CYI Tse Esq CJMO De Vitry D’Avaucourt Esq Reigate Grammar School FL Dean Esq M Baker Esq and fixed them on the former. They flew drawing caricatures and penning poems Bedford School Durham School King’s School, Chester Westminster School C Fang Esq AP Czulowski Esq Ridley College, Canada CC Johal Esq this hybrid at weekends from the naval air Martin Brewer about people. Martin was among his victims, A Simsek Esq JW Watson Esq Winchester College station at Lee-on-Solent until eventually with the following contribution: Bishop’s Stortford College Eton College King’s School, Worcester J Korossy Esq W Dawkins Esq C Clark Esq B Bates Esq Sherborne, Qatar corrosion set in and the poor beast just the 1959 London to Paris air race, when it Martin Brewer I’ll never malign, M Meshkvichev Esq JWM Francis Esq Kingston Grammar School WGW Niemeyer Esq Blundell’s School SH Mossaheb Esq disintegrated, fortunately while it was on was driven in the London to Biggin Hill leg. He flies if the weather is fine, MR Pugh Esq WM Scott Esq Felsted School Shrewsbury International MA Sribhibhadh Esq the ground. The next leg was flown in a Percival Proctor But driving old cars Bradfield College A Bloomfield Esq Malvern College School, Bangkok P Uahwantanasakul Esq V Ophaswongse Esq For ten years back in the 1950s, Martin and the team completed the trip to the Arc And propping up bars, RDP Reed Esq Glenalmond College HRF Catto Esq MA Vitai Esq was also active in the Vintage Sports Car de Triomphe in two-and-a-half hours. They Is very much more in his line. Brentwood School O Cannon Esq Manchester Grammar Shrewsbury School School OJW Dixon Esq Deceased Club. During this time he owned and raced a also picked up the prize for the fastest time His other sporting activities included CL Hall Esq Haberdashers’ Aske’s JD Pollard Esq JJB Robinson Esq Bromsgrove School Boys’ It is with regret we announce series of cars that turn grown men into boys, for any entrant using entirely their own cricket, tennis, golf, fishing, racing, game the deaths of the following A Cox Esq ATJ Crabtree Esq Merchiston Castle School St Benedict’s School members: gazing in open-mouthed wonder. He raced equipment. and target shooting and soccer, which he MS Mohsin Esq S Lythgoe Esq Bryanston School ME Desmond Esq ML Brewer Esq an Amilcar, a grand prix Bugatti, an ERA and His flying included some hairier played for his old school up to 1959. O Verdon Esq A Patel Esq Milton Abbey St Columba’s College, St CC Garwood Esq a 4.5-litre Bentley which he inherited from moments, such as the occasion when the He suffered a fall which put him in a coma Charterhouse Haileybury G O’Kelly Esq Albans Comm AR Godfrey THM Simpson Esq DL Hanson Esq his godfather. The Bentley was also used in undercarriage jammed as he was flying a BW Jackson Esq JOM Reed Esq M Mullens Esq and he passed away peacefully five days later. JR HinchliffeEsq E Puckett Esq Monmouth School J Butler-Caddle Esq Hampton School RGH Hinton Esq L Devonald Esq Cheltenham College D Kirrane Esq St Edward’s School, AW Naisbitt Esq L Shen Esq Harrow School Oratory School Oxford ABC Philpott Esq South Atlantic, which he described as just W Blackmore Esq City of London School E Bergamo Andreis Esq YW Thorne Esq RH Richards Esq MIKE SMITH part of racing, in the same modest manner B Hodgkinson-Toay Esq LP Bergamo Andreis Esq Oundle School St Paul’s School CF Schuster Esq AC Serjeant Esq P Isaacs Esq ASA Calindi Esq LZJ Lai Esq HA Johal Esq as one might describe the cheese trolley RC Speller Esq by Paul Rose, Rear Commodore Racing W Zhou Esq S Helly d’Angelin Esq R Patel Esq at dinner in the club. Mike, however, was a Perse School T Thomas Esq Clifton College Hereford Cathedral School FW Follows Esq St Peter’s School A Turner Esq stickler for roast beef and he would snort, A Polyakov Esq JJL Moore Esq M Thompson Esq WDC Andrews Esq MM Smith Esq t is with much sadness that I must report clear his throat and have a quiet word with to you the sudden and unexpected James or, later, Peter if he found out that I death of my great friend and sailing beef was not on the trolley on any Thursday. Sir Henry Lawrence: 160 years on companion, Michael ‘Mike’ Smith, the vice Mike’s racing talent has passed into by Dr Kanchan McAllister commodore of the East India yacht squadron. squadron legend. He proved himself the five years before his younger brother Lord He suffered a heart attack and passed best helm in the squadron. His untimely hree Lawrence brothers, General John Lawrence. This gentle compassionate away while on a business trip to Kenya in death is a great loss to the squadron and Sir George St Patrick Lawrence brother was the ‘educator’ and the one December 2017. of course to his wife Carol, his daughter T (1804-1884), Brigadier Sir Henry who had four schools built in India for the Mike was one of the founding members Julia and his son Matthew, himself a Montgomery Lawrence (1806-1857) and children of fallen British soldiers based there. of the squadron. His first claim to squadron member of the squadron, to whom our Lord John Lawrence, 1st Baron Lawrence Achieving the rank of Brigadier-General, fame was to earn the title ‘chief engineer’ on Mike Smith deepest sympathies go. (1811-1879), hailed from Derry and Sir Henry became a British soldier and a weekend sail in the Solent on commodore were educated in Foyle College. They, in statesman in India. He married his cousin Jim Miller’s boat Eagle. The crew encountered to undergo his national service. He chose the turn, went on to the Honoria Marshall and they had four children. The club’s portrait of Sir Henry Lawrence problems with the starboard winch so, while navy and became a lieutenant, serving out of Military Seminary in Addiscombe, Unlike his brother Lord John Lawrence, Sir moored up at Bucklers Hard, Mike, shadowed Simonstown, from where he enjoyed dinghy Surrey. All served with military and Henry was often unpopular with authorities shell on 2 July and died two days later. by the ‘padre’ Lachlan Mulholland, dismantled sailing in False Bay. Mike went on to sail as administrative distinction in the Punjab. due to his insistence that government Perhaps his most important and lasting the winch, cleaned and greased it, repaired crew on no fewer than four transatlantic Their father Lieutenant-Colonel should pay attention to the welfare of the legacy will be the military asylums he set its pawl springs and then reassembled it. It races between Cape Town and Rio de Janeiro. Alexander William Lawrence (1764- Indian people. up initially for the children and orphans has never given trouble since. I remember his story of how he found himself 1835), from Coleraine, also fought in India During the , Sir of British soldiers which bear his name to Mike was a remarkable individual. He grew with barely a toe-hold footing having to ‘trip’ and achieved distinction at the forlorn Henry earned praise for the prompt and this day. up in Cape Town and, in the 1970s, was the spinnaker in a heavy squall in the early hope during the Siege of Seringapatnam. decisive handling of an insurrection of an This is an edited version of an article called up by the South African Government hours in total darkness somewhere in the Mike helms to victory in the Newman VC Trophy Sir Henry, the fifth of twelve irregular native regiment near Lucknow. Dr Kanchan McAllister wrote for the Foyle children, was born in Ceylon in 1806, However, he was wounded by an exploding school magazine.

18 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 EAST & WEST – SPRING 2018 19 Reciprocal clubs

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