Imperial Service Club

The Imperial Service Club was a club for Australian military officers returning from war service.

The club was incorporated into the Royal Automobile Club of Australia (RACA) in 1986, bringing with it a history stretching back to World War I.

The ISC’s first premises were in Penzance Chambers at 29 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. These were secured and furnished at the end of 1917 by a committee of returned officers who “felt the need and realised the national value of such an institution”. The first ideas for this institution may have emerged from the Oxford Hotel at the corner of King and Phillip Streets, a regular meeting house for the Royal New South Wales Lancers.

An early Club document proclaimed, “It is scarcely possible to emphasise too strongly the necessity for such a Club as this, which will be a rallying point for the Officers who have served and will bind them into one strong united body, which they certainly were on service”. The objects of the Club were stated as: I) Social; II) Preserve the Friendships formed on Service; III) Maintain the Patriotic Spirit which made the AIF.

According to a fund-raising document issued in 1919, the qualifications for ISC membership were “Commissioned rank in HM Naval or Military Forces, and Active Service in a War of the Empire”. It was also intended to later admit those officers who were not of military age during the First World War, “including graduates of Duntroon Military and Jervis Bay Naval Colleges”.

The second floor of the Elizabeth Street building was fitted out to include a Smoking and Reading Room, a Billiards Room with one table, Dining and Card Rooms, and a Lounge. A dormitory and servants’ quarters were provided on the fifth floor.

Soon after the Club was opened it became apparent that the Elizabeth Street premises were too small, and it was decided at a general meeting held at the end of 1918 to purchase a site and build new premises. By 1 September 1919, the Club had 900 members, and distinguished visitors to the Club had included the Governor-General Sir Ronald Ferguson, the State Governor Sir Walter Davidson, and the Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Jellicoe.

The Committee purchased three buildings covering a 62 ft frontage at 140, 142 and 144 Phillip Street, and produced plans to remodel the front portion (pictured), obtaining a total of four floors and a basement for a total cost estimated, including purchase, at £36,000. Of this, it was necessary to raise £11,600 by direct appeal to the members. The Club President, Commander RS Lambton, sent out a letter describing the situation as “almost a matter of ‘life or death’ – ‘club or no club’”.

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Wikipedia