Victory Services Club
The Victory Services Club (VSC), a registered charity, is an All Ranks Members’ Club for retired and serving members of the Armed Forces. It is located in Marble Arch in the heart of London’s West End, a 2 minute walk from Oxford Street. In 1907, it was created by Major Arthur Haggard who formed the Club and charity to look after those who were demobilised from the army after the Boer War in which he took part.
The Club was founded to promote "esprit de corps" among retired Armed Forces of ALL Ranks by providing accommodation and support to needy servicemen and their families. It amended its charter in 1970 to include serving members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Since its formation, the Club has attracted many famous Patrons including General Eisenhower,
Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. In 1957, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh became the Patron-in-Chief, and remains so to this day. With around 45,000 members the VSC has the largest membership of any Military Club in the country.
After the Second World War, the Club moved premises from Holborn to the Edgware Road moving into Connaught House, which had been used by the United States Armed Forces during the war. The Memorial Wing was built on a bombed site next to Connaught House. Opening the new wing, Sir Winston Churchill said “This Victory Club for ex-service men, given by the Nation as a memorial to fallen comrades and as a tribute to those who returned, stands guardian of the common treasures and memories of friendship and brave deeds.
Since then the Club has been on a path of consistent development and continues to be a thriving tri-service Club for the benefit of military families both serving and retired. As well as providing affordable accommodation it also provides and funds “respite and welfare breaks” for the needy and infirm. The Club has often been called “one of the world’s best kept secrets.”
Respite and welfare breaks
The VSC provides and funds free “Respite and Welfare” breaks for those who have been wounded in operational areas. The breaks include provision for a carer, and have benefited those who are genuinely distressed and in need of a break in the Nation’s Capital. This also applies to those who are identified by the major Armed Forces charities as suitable beneficiaries of this scheme.
Haven for Heroes
VSC demonstrate their support for British Personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East* and to thank them for their commitment and bravery the VSC offers substantial discounts to those returning on R&R or post operational tour leave from those theatres. Haven for Heroes eligibility is only for British Serving Armed Forces men & women who have served in these theatres within the past 6 months or whilst on R&R. A letter of proof of Service in Theatre on headed paper, signed by the commanding officer, is required on all bookings.
External links
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