The Castaways' Club is a

dining club A dining club (UK) or eating club (US) is a social group, usually requiring membership (which may, or may not be available only to certain people), which meets for dinners and discussion on a regular basis. They may also often have guest speakers. ...

for retired warfare officers (previously known as executive or seaman officers) of the

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the United Kingdom's naval warfare force. Although warships were used by English and Scottish kings from the early medieval period, the first major maritime engagements were fought in the Hundred Years' War against Fr ...

who left the service while still junior officers, typically with the rank of

Lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations. The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often ...

Lieutenant Commander Lieutenant commander (also hyphenated lieutenant-commander and abbreviated Lt Cdr, LtCdr. or LCDR) is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander. The corresponding ran ...

. The club has no permanent rooms but meets once a year for dinner to which members invite guests who must be serving or retired warfare officers.

History

The Castaways' Club was founded in 1895 'for the purpose of promoting social intercourse between gentlemen who had resigned their commissions as Executive Officers of Her Majesty’s Navy and who were desirous of keeping in touch with their former Service'. The Club has a considerable collection of mess silver which has been donated by guests and members since the Club was founded. This includes a silver cup presented to the club in 1908 by

George V George V (George Frederick Ernest Albert; 3 June 1865 – 20 January 1936) was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 until his death in 1936. Born during the reign of his grandmother ...

who was a frequent guest when

Prince of Wales Prince of Wales ( cy, Tywysog Cymru, ; la, Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Prior to the conquest by Edward I in the 13th century, it was used by the rule ...

Today

Today, the Castaways' Club annual dinner remains very popular in naval circles and the Club has maintained its original purpose. Membership elections are held once a year. Membership is limited to 120Castaways' Club Members and Rules book 2012 and there is a considerable and undisclosed waiting list.

Notable members

Members of the Club include or have included: * Admiral of the Fleet Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, KG KT * Admiral of the Fleet Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG KT * Colonel Sir John Crompton-Inglefield TD DL (late Sub Lieutenant RN) * Commander The Earl Beatty DSC, 2nd Earl Beatty * Commander Lord Sandford DSC * Commander Sir Arthur Trevor Dawson Bt. * Commander Lord Rennell of Rodd, 3rd Baron Rennell * Lieutenant Colonel Sir Martin Archer-Shee KCMG DSO (late Sub Lieutenant RN) * Lieutenant Commander The Earl of Abingdon, 8th Earl of Abingdon, 13th Earl of Lindsey * Lieutenant Commander The Lord Glenconner, 2nd Baron Glenconner * Lieutenant Commander The Viscount Bridport, Duke of Bronte, 3rd Viscount Bridport * Lieutenant Commander The Lord Congleton, 6th Baron Congleton * Lieutenant Commander Sir August Cayzer Bt. * Lieutenant Commander Sir Keith Speed RD * Lieutenant Prince Alexander Albert of Battenberg, Marquess of Carisbrooke GCB GCVO * Lieutenant David Mountbatten OBE DSC, 3rd Marquess of Milford Haven * Lieutenant The Duke of Hamilton, 13th Duke of Hamilton, 10th Duke of Brandon * Lieutenant The Duke of Buccleuch, KT GCVO, 7th Duke of Buccleuch * Lieutenant The Earl of Westmorland, 14th Earl of Westmorland * Lieutenant Lord Ironside, 2nd Baron Ironside * Lieutenant The Lord Janvrin GCB GCVO PC * Lieutenant The Viscount Monsell GBE, 1st Viscount Monsell * Lieutenant Sir William Benyon DL * Lieutenant Sir Timothy Colman KG * Lieutenant Christopher Lewis

References

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External links

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The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT) is a charity registered established under Royal Charter in 1922 in the United Kingdom for the welfare of current and past naval personnel and their families. It supports needy members of the "RNBT Family", t ...

''. Dining clubs 1895 establishments in the United Kingdom Royal Navy Military of the United Kingdom