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History
& Heritage
History & Heritage
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Our Timeline
Evelyn Wrench 2
1910
Over-Seas Club founded on 27 August by Evelyn Wrench. An early pioneer of equal rights, women were admitted well before suffrage. British newspaper pioneer Viscount Northcliffe elected President.
1914
First Premises rented in Aldwych. Outbreak of WWI. The Over-Seas Club begins fundraising activity, eventually raising over £1million towards the war effort.
ROSL Historical Images_1935_Scan-from-Overseas-Magazine
1915
Overseas Journal founded by Sir Evelyn Wrench, early contributors and letter writers to the Journal included George Bernard Shaw, A.A. Milne, and Prime Minister’s H.H Asquith and Lloyd George.
1916
His Majesty King George V becomes the first Royal Patron.
George_Mary
1922
Vernon House, London purchased as a permanent war memorial and opened by the Duke of York. The organisation is incorporated by Royal Charter. Colonel Thomas Edward Lawrence (1888-1935), better known as Lawrence of Arabia visits the Club.
1925
Edward, Prince of Wales opens Park Place premises.
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1931
Banquet held at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate the institution's 21st Birthday, 1000 members attended.
1933
Purchase of Rutland House from the Dowager Duchess of Rutland, demolished and then rebuilt as part of Over-Seas House
1933 Rutland House building work commences
1935
The Over-Seas League becomes an early communications pioneer with the first international Radio-telephonic broadcast ever held in London.
1937
New art deco Westminster Wing of the clubhouse completed.
1952 BBC_Television_Symbol_1953
1939
The BBC utilises the Hall of India & Pakistan as a wartime broadcasting studio - sending vital messages to troops overseas.
1946
His Majesty King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret visit Over-Seas House.
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1952
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes Royal Patron. The Annual Music Competition is founded for young musicians with concerts broadcast on the BBC World Service.
1959
Earl Mountbatten of Burma, President since 1942, becomes the first Grand President.
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1960
The Over-Seas League celebrates its 50th anniversary and the Royal title is conferred by Queen Elizabeth II. The ROSL crest is created by the College of Arms.
1961
Internationally acclaimed cellist, Jacqueline du Pré wins ROSL’s Annual Music Competition.
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1979
HRH Princess Alexandra becomes Vice-Patron.
1987
Fifth floor of bedrooms added to the Westminster Wing opened by Countess Mountbatten of Burma, sixth floor added and opened in 2003.
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1993
ROSL secured official recognition as a Commonwealth non-governmental organisation (NGO) and was represented at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
2006
Extensive refurbishment of St Andrew's Hall to create a new concert room. Re-opened by Vice-Patron HRH Princess Alexandra and renamed in her honour.
Marilyn_Archbold_and_the_Queen
2010
ROSL celebrates the Centenary of its foundation. HM Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Alexandra attend a celebratory reception at St James’s Palace.
2019
The ROSL Photography Competition was launched, inviting photographers from all over the world to submit images linking to the Commonwealth.
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2020
The ROSL Composition Award is launched, supporting emerging composers
2022
The Annual Music Competition celebrates it’s 70th year, expanding its entry criteria beyond the Commonwealth, inviting musicians from EU, EEA, Switzerland and USA.
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2022
ROSL celebrates the Centenary of the Royal Charter with a gala concert and performance by world-renowned opera tenor, Joseph Calleja.
2024
His Majesty King Charles III accepts the role of Patron for the Royal Over-Seas League. ROSL commemorates its profound significance as an institution fostering friendship among members across the Commonwealth and beyond.