While the wording of Our First Twenty-Five Years written in 1952 may appear today (2013) rather “old fashioned” it nevertheless gives an accurate word picture of the club and its members at that time. It is therefore most important that it forms the preface of this short history of The United Service Club Ltd, Newcastle.
Roland Millibank
In the beginning…(the Preface)
From, Our First Twenty-Five Years (written in 1952)
Early in 1927, after discussions among a number of those who had served in the war of 1914-1918, it was decided to form a club in Newcastle for ex-servicemen. After several preliminary meetings the first general meeting of the club was held at the club house on May 19th, 1927. The United Service Club was thus brought into existence.
The first premises occupied were at 46 Bolton Street. Here the Club had its home in two rooms on the first floor. After a few years there increased membership made more extensive accommodation necessary. On February 1st, 1931, new premises were taken over on lease from Newcastle City Council at 55-57 Watt Street. The building had previously been used for many years (actually since 1884) as Municipal Offices. The present upstairs lounge, in fact, the Council Chambers.
The Club still remains in these premises which suit us reasonably well. However, though the City Council has treated us with the consideration it shows to all ex-servicemen’s organisations , Club members feel they would prefer to have their own premises. Consequently this matter has received a good deal of attention from time to time. Some proposals have been carefully considered, but so far none has met our requirements.
The rules of the Club state that the qualification for membership shall be governed by what a prospective member has voluntarily done for his country. We feel that this is an eminently satisfactory basis of qualification which will apply to any man who has seen active service and whose personal character measures up to requirements.
Over the years the Club has afforded a place of meeting for men with that community of interest and remembrance which makes for congenial company. It has been the centre of celebrations of importance to service men, for many happy parties, and as a general meeting place.
When the second World War broke out on September 3rd, 1939 the Club played its part collectively and its members individually. The premises were made were made available for various purposes connected with war activities. Members took part in many war organisations; a good many, though no longer youthful, manager to rejoin the forces as active members in one sphere or another.
When this war ended there was again a large number of men qualified for membership. The Club was revitalized by an influx of new members.
The membership for some years before the war had been about 100. It has since been necessary to limit membership to 200 town and 50 country members for reasons of accommodation.
During its twenty-fifth year the Club was honoured by the visit of the Administrator of the Commonwealth, General Sir John Northcott KCMG CB MVO.
In this year too (1952), occurred the death of our sovereign, KING GEORGE VI. On the day of his funeral, February 15th 1952, members paraded at the memorial in Hunter Street and placed a wreath in homage to his memory and then observed two minutes silence at 12 noon held throughout Australia.
Near the end of the same year we lost a sterling member in the person of Mr. G. H. Shaw, who had been our honorary secretary for nineteen years. George Shaw died suddenly at sea on March 20th while on a holiday trip to Western Australia. His kindly, friendly geniality endeared him to us all.
The Club, as it completes the first quarter of a century since its foundation, is prosperous and popular with its members who make use of it as a rendezous where there is always a friendly and comradely atmosphere. We look forward to the second twenty-five years being equally happy.
We hope another war will not be necessary to provide reinforcements to our membership but that the time will come when it will be feasible to alter the rule for qualification from what a man has done to serve his country in time of war to what he has pledged himself to do if called upon, or something of that kind.
In the meantime, we shall pursue the even tenor of our way and pledge our fealty to our new Sovereign Lady, QUEEN ELIZABETH II.
Buildings actually purchased from the Council in 1954.
Changes to membership rules now allow men and women who have served in peace time to become “ordinary” members, while men and women with no military experience can become “associate” members.
The President, Brig Corlette was on full time duty 1941-1943 as group commander, Newcastle Area of the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC).
In 2013 the longest serving member is FLGOFFR Howard .K Williams who joined on 16 January 1947.
In 2013 of the Club’s 111 members, 99 are “town” and 12 “country”.