Chairman’s Introduction
Thank you to those members who have written to me supporting the lantern Heritage Levy, which was added to your September account. These decisions are never easy. The Committee thought long and hard how best to raise funds in the most equitable way. Ultimately the cost of the repair and upkeep of the clubhouse lies with the membership.
As you will be aware we have had to make substantial capital investments over the past three years including a new ventilation system for the kitchens; refurbishment of staff changing rooms and bathrooms; new loos; security systems upgrades; new IT systems; new chairs for the Coffee Room; refurbishment of several rooms and, most recently, replacement of the whole air conditioning system in the third-floor bedrooms. I could go on.
These costs have been significant, running into several hundreds of thousands of pounds. The source of funding has in large part come from the Club’s reserves as the annual surplus generated since lock down has not been sufficient to fund all the improvements. We also benefitted from a significant legacy. The reserves are now at a level where the Committee and Trustees do not believe it prudent to run them down further. The committee have therefore decided
that monies for all future repairs and upgrades will either be funded from the surplus generated from operations / trading or from members via increased subscriptions, prices or, as a last resort, via a direct building levy.
As mentioned previously, the Committee has, over the past nine months, been undertaking a full review of the current governance model to ensure that, as the Club’s fiduciaries, the Committee, Trustees and Directors fully comply with all current legislation and the best governance standards. This also includes reviewing the current structure that comprises an unincorporated association, two trusts and a PLC. We are arriving at the conclusion that converting the Club into a charity, like the RAF Club, would be very beneficial on several levels not least because, if successful, it would result in an 80% reduction in business rates, a cost that has increased from around £90,000 six years ago to £450,000 in 2025 and likely to increase to over £600,000 in the coming years. The charity would also facilitate a more tax efficient method of raising funds from members. I will be writing to you on this matter in the coming months seeking your approval for any proposed changes to the current set up.
We enter the busiest period of the year for the Club, and I am delighted to see that bookings for functions are almost full. It just remains for me to say how saddened we are by the death of Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB GCVO OBE DL. I could put it no better than the post from the Welsh Guards: “His passing is a profound loss to the Welsh Guards, The British Army and the nation he served with such distinction. But his legacy of service, leadership and unwavering dedication will live on in the Regiment, in the Armed Forces and in the history of this country”.
Christian Yates Chairman
Wincanton Racecourse is delighted to host the PricedUp Military Raceday on Thursday, 4 December, featuring the McCreery Military Hurdle for military amateur riders.
Admission, a two-course lunch served with tea or coffee and a racecard is £45. General admission for military personnel, without lunch, is £15. You can purchase either of packages here, or use the QR code.
If you hold a Wincanton Racecourse membership, you can book lunch for £30. Please call 01963 435 848
Members will know that the important works on the lantern have overrun. This was always a possibility as we did not know the condition of the cupola and main lantern until the tape was removed. As I type, the cupola is being rebuilt and the rest restored.
This does mean that the scaffold will be in place until mid October. We fully appreciate that this may be disappointing for some and if you have concerns about an event that you are hosting, please contact me. Not quite as dramatic but a lot more positive, the replacement of the third-floor air conditioning project has gone well and finished early.
There has been very good use of the Club during August and the 20 rooms we had available to sell were often fully subscribed. Remarkably the Dining Room exceeded our somewhat optimistic budget, supported as we were by those members of ‘other’ clubs that close in the summer.
I am very happy to report that Royal Ascot 2025 was our best attended yet and we hope this trend will continue in 2026. Do consider coming if you have lapsed or never been. Our tent is a lovely place to be, and the great atmosphere lasts the whole week. Please pencil in 16-20 June 2026.
We were sorry to say goodbye to Francesca from the events team who leaves us after four years. This means the office has new faces in Ervin and Susie and, from early October, the well-known face of Maximillian Barker, who has been working in the Dining Room. Those of you who have visited Muthaiga Country Club in the last few years might have met Susie as she worked there until recently.
The last quarter of the year is always the busiest operationally and Stan and his unchanged team in banqueting and events operations will be here to look after you as usual. Paul Farmer is still working his magic in the kitchens, and Peter and his crew will be welcoming you on the Front Desk.
For your information, the Club will close after lunch on Friday, 19 December for the Christmas break and reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026.
Rupert Elliott Secretary
Employee of the Month
June
Paula Munevar – (Breakfast Supervisor). I like to travel and draw and I love dance.
Jermaine Sing Thomas – (Demi Chef De Partie). I am half Indian and half Jamaican and I can speak Punjabi. (Paul Farmer says Jermaine is the funniest person in the kitchen, always positive and cheering everyone up!)
July
Peter Knell – (Hall Porter). I worked with the Secretary at The Stafford. During Covid, I was 10 foot up a ladder, it slipped and off I came. This resulted in a week in hospital and a lot of metal holding my knee together. Everyone told me not to go up ladder anymore. When I purchased my new ladder, which was not received, I made sure it was much better quality.
Maria Sacomane – (Housekeeping Assistant). This job has been very special in my recovery after a challenging time. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, I have lived in London for 15 years, where I built my family and feel at home. Outside work, I enjoy spirituality, Reiki and caring for my plants.
August
David Prince – (Food and Beverage Assistant (Bar). I am 6’2”. I like to listen to jazz. I have done modelling.
Diana Aviziene – (Linen Porter). I like travelling and my dream is to visit as many countries as I can. I like spending time in the garden with a good book.
Paula Munevar Jermaine Sing Thomas
Peter Knell
David Prince Maria Sacomane
Diana Aviziene
Reciprocal Clubs
The Club has a wide range of reciprocal arrangements with other clubs across the globe, a list that had been largely unchanged for years.
Following some feedback from members, the Committee took the opportunity to review our reciprocal arrangements. The intention was to ensure that the current range of reciprocal clubs matched our high standards and levels of service, they were accessible, practical and useful to members in terms of geography and facilities offered.
Following the review, the Committee recognised that there was limited information about the facilities these clubs offered; the process of requesting a letter of introduction was laborious; the geographical spread of our reciprocal clubs was impressive, but it was somewhat incoherent, concentrated in some areas, yet absent or underrepresented in others. Finally, there was no formal method of feedback from members who had stayed as guests in these clubs to act as a yardstick to the value of our relationship.
Membership
From time to time, the subject of membership arises in conversations and there is often a general unawareness of the various categories. The Club Rules are available in the Members’ Area of the website detailing the membership requirements. Essentially there are four categories:
3a. Commissioned officers from our qualifying regiments: the RAC including the Yeomanry, the Household Division, the Rifles, RHA, HAC, the Gentleman at Arms and the Yeoman of the Guard. This category forms 81% of the membership.
3b. Commissioned officers from other arms who have served within a qualifying regiment, e.g. RMO, EME, Padre et al. It is a small cohort forming only 1% of the membership.
3c. An immediate family member of a person from a qualifying regiment whether they were/are a member or not. This creates an opportunity for those who have had a close connection with the Club through a spouse, parent, child or sibling. The majority of members in this category are wives and offspring and account for 12% of the membership.
In response, the committee directed the Secretary to seek new relationships with appropriate Clubs in areas where we were currently unrepresented; to expand and standardise the information available on our reciprocal clubs (the first phase of which you will have seen on the website); to adopt a simplified online process for a letter of introduction (which is now in place), and the ability offer feedback after a visit to a reciprocal club.
These changes are intended to allow our members to have access to a wider range of reciprocal clubs across the world, that may better reflect our requirements, as well as ensure that as far as possible our members enjoy truly reciprocal levels of service and comfort they find at 127.
Observant members may have noticed that in the last 12 months, we have added new reciprocal arrangements with the British Bangkok Club, the De Witte Club in The Hague, the Koninklijke Industrial Club in Amsterdam, The Prince Albert Club in Brussels, the Italian Armed Forces Club in Rome and the King Hussein Club in Amman. Over the summer, the Secretary has been writing to a number of other clubs to seek to establish new relationships. We anticipate further new arrangements will be published in due course.
If you use a reciprocal club or identify a Club that you feel might be worth exploring such an arrangement with, please do take the opportunity share your thoughts with the Secretary secretary@cavgdsclub.co.uk
3d. An open category permitting membership to those with no connection to a qualifying regiment. Applications under this category requires strong recommendations from two members and acceptance is at the discretion of the Committee. It includes officers from non-qualifying regiments. Currently only around 6% of the membership fall into this category. It allows good people who appreciate the Club to join without diluting the essential military ethos.
It is pleasing that 94% of the membership have a direct link to a qualifying regiment. Most members will have joined the Club direct from Sandhurst. Subscriptions are linked to age. The Joining Fee is dependant on what category you enter under, with 3a, 3b and 3c benefitting from a reduced amount. The annual subscription for those aged 18-22 is £285 (serving members £172), in the age bracket 23-29, the subscription is £385 (serving members £238). It represents excellent value for sons and daughters who arrive to work in London post school or university.
Should you wish to propose someone, please contact Catherine Brumwell on membership@cavgdsclub.co.uk or 020 7659 0902
De Witte Club
British Bangkok Club
Bouquets and Brickbats
Bouquets
I would particularly like to commend the waitress who dealt with our small party so very efficiently… no glass was ever empty! SL
The food was exceptional, as always. LW
Grateful if you’d pass my thanks to the team for looking after my parents so well when I brought them to stay and dine at the club. Fernando looked after us in the dining room brilliantly, food was impeccable (including the always superb flambé crepes), and the whole team went out of their way to make my father’s birthday dinner very special. A particular thanks (as always) to Stefano who went out of his way to make sure we had the right wine at the right moment to complement each course. He’s a star. Alexander manning the bar after dinner was a steady hand as ever. Thanks to the whole team - their attention to detail makes a huge difference and makes bringing guests to the club a pleasure. ST
I wish to say that I had a most agreeable stay at the club. The staff at the Front Desk, the bar, housekeeping and the restaurant were absolutely first rate. PH
Dining on the Club Table last night, I was struck by the civilised and agreeable atmosphere. The Dining Room was quite full, but the tables a decent distance apart enabling quite discourse in an elegant setting where everyone was smartly dressed. The food was great and the Sommelier’s selection of wine by the glass was superb and a good way of exploring fine wines without breaking the bank. The staff were as always cheery, efficient and courteous while remaining non-intrusive. It was a tour de force of what our Club has to offer. It has always been so and I have probably taken it for granted in the past. After the turmoil of London, it was like stepping back in time to an age where manners and good taste prevailed. Please thank all of the staff, I had a lovely evening. AJ
I must commend all your team who looked after us throughout. Their service was exemplary, and their manner was very friendly and attentive. The table for lunch was beautifully laid out and set the scene wonderfully. PB
I was very sorry that one of my guests turned out to be a covert vegetarian, yet even this was managed without fuss and with minimal delay. SC
Please pass on my grateful thanks to all involved; I am conscious that much of the hard work will also have been undertaken away from our view. CD
Thank you very much for hosting the talk by Gen Simon last night. My guests and I really enjoyed it, and it was great to take a couple of my soldiers along to meet a legend in the QDG! JF
As I prepared to depart the station, I believe it is time to close out my Cavalry and Guards membership. Thank you very much for hosting me these past three years. We have made some incredible memories with the Club and have cherished every minute. You are an incredible asset for the Club and I wish you all the best. ST
The wedding and reception were full of joy and beauty! KCM
We had an absolute hoot: thank you all so much for a truly special and wonderful evening. Nothing was too much trouble, and all of the staff were just brilliant: please pass on my particular thanks to Annette, who managed the evening seamlessly, and to Peter who was completely unflappable. BB
I am sitting on a sunny terrace at Vilalara on the Algarve and felt I must write to say how very much I enjoyed the latest newsletter. It hits exactly the right note in my opinion. Interesting, not stuffy and very amusing. I especially loved the comment that only the Guards members would fall for your wonderful April Fools ruse. To this end I had received on 2 April a lengthy call from one of my more pompous friends, a retired Grenadier, absolutely appalled at the idea of a cat flap. Wonderful. Very well done. These things make the Club so much more personal and fun to be a member of. BW
Brickbats
In the Dining Room there seems to be a little restaurant mentality creeping in. The ‘did you enjoy your meal?’ phrase, which makes one usually choose to have supper at the Club rather than at a restaurant, is a tiresome custom. SB Secretary: The subtle nuances of the English language can take a little longer to filter through but thank you for bringing it to my attention. I am relieved this is the worst you have to report on your visit.
We greatly enjoyed another private supper at the Club and as always our team of staff are superb. However, after 35 years as a member I was utterly distraught to find that Grilled Calves Liver and Bacon was off the menu, replaced by Sauteed Liver Strips. I am all for moving with the times, except this dish has been my utter favourite and I always have it, without exception. Could I ask that consideration is given to reinstating this much-loved Club classic? I am lost without it. TA Secretary: I cannot bear the level of suffering you have had to endure and can only imagine the distress! The truth is we have not removed this dish. Around once a month we change the recipe to make sure we use the less attractive but just as tasty, liver ‘trimmings’. It has been so for years. We would not dream of removing this classic from the menu any more than potted shrimps or Dover sole.
In Memoriam
Michael Howard Esq on 26 June 2025. Queen’s Own Hussars. A member since 16 February 1988
Captain David Duffy on 18 July 2025. Honourable Artillery Company. A member since 13 August 2010.
Nigell D’Oyly Esq on 27 July 2025. 15th/19th The King’s Royal Hussars. A member since 26 July 1955.
Major Robert Wilmont MBE in August 2025. Irish Guards. A member since 1 March 2019.
Captain Edwars Harris in August 2025. Coldstream Guards. A member since 30 May 2018.
Robert Hunt-Grubbe Esq in August 2025. The Blues and Royals. A member since 1 September 1992.
Captain John Haviland on 7 August 2025. 12th Royal Lancers. A member since 1 April 2003.
Brigadier Richard Nash on 8 August 2025. 9th/12th Royal Lancers. A member since 28 March 1967.
Captain Elizabeth Godwin on 5 September 2025. The Life Guards. A member since 4 December 2020.
Field Marshal The Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank GCB GCVO OBE DL on 18 September 2025. Welsh Guards. A member since 23 January 2006
Stepping Down
As Vice President John Rodwell stands down from his role, new Vice President, David Rosier, writes about Major Rodwell’s life and the incredible dedication he has given to the Club.
It is most unlikely that anyone will ever again serve the Club for so long and at the highest level as John Rodwell, who has recently stepped down as Vice President.
John joined the Committee in 1985 and became Colonel Tom Hall’s Vice Chairman in 1992 before becoming Chairman himself from 1996-2002. He was then a trustee for 12 years before taking over from Tom as Vice President in 2016 – an innings of some 40 years, of which even Joe Root would be proud!
As an officer in the Grenadier Guards, having spent some time in Hong Kong and Northern Ireland, (where I am told, in confidence, by the Ops Officer that, as the 2IC to an energetic Company Commander, John was on the net so much that his callsign was termed ‘Radio Rodwell’), he became, as is customary, a much feared Adjutant. It was after passing Staff College and spending some time in the Sinai Peninsula on the staff of the Multinational Force monitoring the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty (sic!), that he decided to eschew seeking a place on the Army Board and instead to seek fame and fortune in the boardrooms of the City. Accordingly, he joined the merchant bank SG Warburg & Co Ltd in 1983, which is where I first met him. As one of only three former Army officers - Alex Roe, another QDG, was the third (although between us we recruited several more), John and I soon formed a close bond.
John initially worked in the Private Client side of the business but within a few years his outstanding administrative skills were recognised when he was asked to run the administration of the newly formed Mercury Asset Management (MAM)
at 33 King William Street. He was also asked to coordinate the company’s charitable activities, which was ideal preparation for his next job running the Hedley Foundation after his retirement from MAM (or Merrill Lynch Investment Managers as it had by then become) in 2002.
In the mid-nineties, having just joined the Committee myself, I received a letter from Colonel Tom asking me to intercede with MAM’s chairman and ask that John be allowed to spend up to a day per week as Chairman of the Club. Such was John’s reputation for always getting things done, that the chairman consented.
John’s other passion was Her Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms in which he served from 1998 to 2016. He was appointed Standard Bearer in 2014, and I am told that he was so particular about things being done properly (plus ca change!) that he was, therefore, tasked with writing the Drill Manual for the Body Guard, which is still used today.
John was on the net so much that his callsign was termed ‘Radio Rodwell’.
I always knew that in Major Rodwell I would find a trusted and very supportive advocate, whose advice and wise counsel I could rely upon and whose guiding principle was always: ‘Is it right for the Club?’
David Cowdery’s, Secretary 2005-22, words perhaps sum up John perfectly. “Over my seventeen years as Secretary of the Club, I always knew that in Major Rodwell I would find a trusted and very supportive advocate, whose advice and wise counsel I could rely upon and whose guiding principle was always: ‘Is it right for the Club?’. Like the proverbial stick of rock, the Club was at the very core of the Major - and few could match his passion for 127.”
Behind every great man is a great woman and it is clear to me and John’s many friends that he could not have achieved so much without having the wonderful Rosie as ‘close support’ for the past 50 years.
On his retirement as Vice President, all members owe John a great debt for everything he has done for our great Club over the past 40 years.
As a mere former Captain in 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, it is an honour to succeed John as Vice President.
Exclusive Offer
We are delighted to announce a collaboration with Cordings.
They are offering 10% off their range to all members of the Club. In order to benefit from this, please ask the Membership Secretary for a letter of introduction to show in the shop or for a code to use on-line. There are the inevitable T&Cs. If you would like to see these, please ask for them.
Below: John Rodwell, current Chairman and Vice Chairman Christian Yates and Anthony Jones, Vice President David Rosier
John and Rosie
With HM The Queen Mother
From the Archivist
The Decorative Panels in the Dining Room
Of all the many works of art contained in the Club, very few are commented upon, or sought out, more than the wonderful panels that line the walls of the Dining Room and the adjoining Chetwode Room.
Interestingly, the history of these panels is not well known and prior to their being hung on the second floor, at the time of the refurbishment of that floor in 2016, they were lining the principal corridor on the ground floor (when the ceiling height in that area was much lower!)
They were, therefore, already framed in this current format before I arrived at the Club in 2005, but it is recounted that originally the ‘pictures’ made up various panels of a decorative screen, or screens, and that these were created by gentlemen Officers while recuperating from injuries received in war. The timing of this creation is debatable. At first it was thought that it was around the time of the Boer War, but more lately it is considered more likely that they were made during the First World War.
What we do know for certain is that the ‘cartoons’ are taken from Vanity Fair and that the process of their use in the panels is known as ‘decoupage’ (the art of decorating an object by gluing cutouts from paper and sealing them with layers of clear adhesive).
Vanity Fair was a British weekly magazine (not to be confused with its American contemporary namesake) that was published from 1868 to 1914. Founded by Thomas Gibson Bowles, in London, the magazine included articles on fashion, theatre, and current events, as well as word games and serial fiction. The cream of the period’s ‘society magazines’, it is best known for its witty prose and caricatures of famous people of Victorian and Edwardian society, including artists, athletes, royalty, statesmen, scientists, authors, actors, businesspeople and scholars.
Interestingly, one of the main backers for the magazine was Colonel Fred Burnaby, Royal Horse Guards, whose own colourful, adventurous and pioneering life earned him an affection in the minds of Victorian imperial idealists and made him the subject of a wonderful portrait by Tissot. (One of my favourite military portraits – sadly in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery – and not at the Club!).
Taking its title from Thackeray’s popular satire on early 19th century British society, Vanity Fair was not immediately successful and struggled with competition from rival publications. Bowles then promised his readers “some pictorial wares of an entirely novel character” and on 30 January 1869, a full-page caricature of Benjamin Disraeli appeared. (Disraeli was by then Leader of the Opposition – having served his first short term as Prime Minister – which had ended on 1 December 1868!)
This was the first of over 2,300 caricatures to be published. According to the National Portrait Gallery, Vanity Fair’s illustrations, instantly recognizable in terms of style and size, led to a rapid increase in demand for the magazine. It gradually became a mark of honour to be the ‘victim’ of one of its numerous caricaturists, and Bowles witty accompanying texts, full of insights and innuendoes, certainly contributed towards the popularity of these images.
The images were produced by an international group of artists including Sir Max Beerbohm, Sir Leslie Ward (who signed his work ‘Spy’ and ‘Drawl’), the Italians Carlo Pellegrini (‘Singe’ and ‘Ape’), Melchiorre Delfico, Liborio Prosperi, the Florentine artist and critic Adriano Cecioni, the French artists James Tissot (‘Coide’) and Prosper d’Epinay (‘Nemo’) and the American Thomas Nast, and the resulting images are considered the chief cultural legacy of the magazine. Such was the great number of images produced by Leslie Ward that subsequent collections have been (incorrectly) labelled as ‘Spy Cartoons’.
Although, within the over two thousand images, there were a small number of women (Queen Alexandra, the suffragette, Christabel Pankhurst and Marie Curie, for example), the far greater majority were men and it is their images that the makers of the screens mainly used and added the respective name under each cutout. Consequently – and presumably to make the screens more ‘attractive’ a good number of female ‘fashion models’ (known in twenty-first century parlance as ‘eye candy’) were likewise cut out from various magazines and added to the finished artwork – giving it a variety and attraction that a gallery of purely male cutouts would so obviously have lacked!
It should be noted that the Club also owns a significant number of the ‘original’ cartoons, the greater majority of which hang on the staircase leading down to the basement. I use the term ‘original’ here merely to denote that they haven’t been cut up for a decoupage project! Most of the older clubs in London have in their collections a significant number of similar cartoons – and there would be very few ‘originals’ among them – merely copies taken from the many magazines over the years. What other clubs do not have, however, are the wonderful screen panels that we are very fortunate to have in our collection.
Interest Groups Chess Group
Members of the Cavalry and Guards Club are invited to channel their competitive spirit and strategic minds into a new chess group. Whether you are a seasoned player or simply curious about the game, this is an opportunity to sharpen your skills, enjoy good company, and represent the Club with distinction.
We are looking to build a team capable of challenging other distinguished London clubs in friendly competition. If you are interested in joining or learning more, please contact membership@cavgdsclub.co.uk or 020 7659 0902
Motoring Club
A vintage season for the Club’s Motoring Members, kicked off on the track at Silverstone for the National Transition Event. Much fun was had at Bicester Heritage’s Scramble and the London Concours at the HAC, run by member James Brooks-Ward. All had an excellent warm up for the signature event of the summer, the Le Mans Classic. Members advanced to contact through Normandy in a “highly-spirited” fashion, to Arnage. So spirited in fact, the Chairman’s newly restored ’74 Aston Martin melted a tyre and a carburettor, while Colonel Plant’s MGC engine blew up. The racing was, however, spectacular and the degustation (a critical part of the trip) superb!
Following Goodwood Revival and, again, J Brooks-Ward’s Hampton Court Concours, we look forward to closing the year with our, now sold out, annual dinner, where we are delighted to have Richard Hammond as our guest speaker. He has already declared how much he is looking forward to enjoying a strong night at our magnificent Club!
Royal Ascot
Thank you and the team for another excellent Cavalry and Guards Club marquee at Royal Ascot. It is a wonderful haven, especially in hot weather, and so nice to be able to sit down with a cup of tea. You must have been exhausted by the Sat but it did not show; you were all very calm and friendly which really makes it. WC
Ascot was a wonderful day and so well organised. RB
A big thank you to you and the team for a wonderful week at Ascot. What delightful students you managed to secure! Already looking forward to next year. DLR
Thank you so much for the excellent day at Ascot on Friday. Food was super and the staff did very well to cope with the heat and crowds! KB
I just wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks for the incredible day at Royal Ascot. It was truly a remarkable experience, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The organization, atmosphere and company at the Cavalry and Guards Club tent made it a day to remember. Food as well as service has been exceptional! NA
Just wanted to send a note of thanks for the three lovely days we spent in your tent. Everything on the menu was delicious and your staff excellent. Very many thanks for making our Ascot such a joy. PM
I just wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to you and all the team for hosting such a fantastic event at Royal Ascot. The staff were truly outstanding – attentive, professional and incredibly accommodating throughout the day. The food and drink were excellent, and the tent was run with a level of efficiency and elegance that made the whole experience seamless and enjoyable. My guests had a wonderful time, and the entire day was an absolute credit to the Club and all its members. Thank you again – I am already looking forward to returning next year. BB
Thank you for a most enjoyable day on Tuesday. The organisation was faultless and the food excellent. RN 2026’s Ascot will happen from 16-20 June, please put it in your diary.
Embarrassing error
In the last newsletter, I mistakenly knocked off the still very much alive, and clearly much loved Captain William Matthews and, thanks to the powers of social media, ended up in the pages of The Daily Telegraph. The replies I received from you were hilarious and full of support, for which I am very grateful. It also appears that it is more common than one would think. Here are some of the best…
Catherine Brumwell Membership
Secretary
That is one of the funnier emails I have received over the years! Thank you for brightening my day!
These things happen, albeit infrequently, eg the Resurrection!
Oh my God! They killed Kenny!
But will he have to pay his membership fees for the year now you think he’s deceased? Secretary: Yes, he will!
I’m secretary of an ancient cricket Club - I Zingari. I know how easily these things can happen!
It was my turn sometime back when my demise was posted on the notice board. It was spotted by a brother officer who reported that he would have known had that been so! I am also in fine fettle.
Catherine, we all make mistakes. The Club is the most extraordinary community, and I’m delighted we can now even raise people from the dead!!
Not for the first time - he’s in good company! Imagine my surprise when deployed in Tampa in 2009 to get a call saying that my wife thought I was dead. Subsequent investigation tracked it down to past Club Secretary David Cowdery.
I am sure, given the alternative, that Capt Matthews has forgiven you.
Thanks for heads up... I was rather looking forward to the knees up at the Club after!!
Whoopsie daisy
How wonderful! It’s years since I’ve seen him. You should tell him to visit the Club more often and then the widespread assumption of his premature summons to heaven wouldn’t have been made!
There can be very few things in life that are more life affirming than reading one’s own obituary! Remember Benjamin Franklin said, “I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look up the obituary page. If my name is not there. I get up.” I should add it would have been more exciting if he had died and yet still rung you!
The Coldstream Guards will now think they can resurrect from the dead! God help us!
While embarrassing the error may be, it is also exceptionally funny. I shall write to Mr Matthew’s directly, to congratulate him on his remarkable recovery. Thank you for a ray of sunlight on a rather dreary Wednesday afternoon. So easily done.
This has greatly cheered me up, how funny! I hope he took it in good spirit.
Thank you for your email. I am delighted to hear that Captain Matthew’s is indeed alive and well.
Well received and pleased to read that Capt Matthews is still with us in this fine club.
Bad luck on the mistake, but we are all human. I am glad he was able to let you know without the aid of a medium!
Will come to you for “assistance” when things get just a bit too much!
A blonde moment?
Just made my day and I am sure that of a lot of other members too, starting with Captain Mathews.
There is good in all things: 1. He is still alive 2. He reads your articles.
These things happen! I am sure Captain Matthews, will now be feeling like Lazarus and full of the ‘oh be joyfuls’!
It happens - whilst growing up in Belgium, my local council accidentally killed me off too. I still have my obituary in the local paper until this day. You’ve given him a fine story to tell for years - as rarely happens with death announcements, it could have been far worse!
Nothing like that to liven up a party!
Billy is quite the stalwart and thank heavens you jumped gun by at least 20 years!
Thanks for letting me know. I am sure the officer was relieved to realise that he was still above ground.
A namesake of mine died a year ago and I was inundated with calls asking if I was still alive. Not sure who would have answered if I wasn’t.
It’s a miracle! He must be delighted!
Huzzah! That is excellent news, long live Billy!
Side-splittingly vintage stuff, Catherine. Only in London Club Land!
We had similar but worse problem when my wife misunderstood a call and thought a brother member of the Club was dead. I sent an email to all our mutual friends with the bad news. We then went round to comfort and suggested to the “widow” that he would be “happy up there” to which she replied, “Yes - he is upstairs and we have had lots of messages telling us he is dead!”
At least you haven’t done it ‘on air’, which I did once.
Many of you quoted Mark Twain on the reports of his death. Out of interest, I was sent this article that clarifies what was actually said: Greatly Exaggerated Quote
Forthcoming events
Tuesday, 7 October
Club Talk with ex-England rugby player James Haskell
Wednesday, 15 October
Connect 127 Annual Drinks
Wednesday, 5 November
Club Talk: The Kadir Cup
NEW THIS YEAR
Sunday, 9 November
Remembrance Sunday Curry Lunch
Wednesday, 26 November
Cavalry and Guards Motor Club Annual Dinner with Richard Hammond SOLD OUT
Thursday, 27 November
Connect 127 Lunch with Rupert Lee-Brown
Saturday, 6 December
Sandhurst Cadet visit to the Club
If you are around, please do come and say hello.
Wednesday, 10 December
Art Exhibition Lunch: Turner and Constable at the Tate Gallery
Wednesday, 10 December Sons and Daughters Dinner
Thursday, 11 December Members Christmas Lunch
Christmas and New Year Closure
The Club will close from lunch time on Friday, 19 December 2025 and reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026.
Wednesday, 21 January
Club Talk: In Search of the British
Wednesday, 25 February
Club Talk: Strickland
Wednesday, 25 March
Club Talk: Retracing the steps of Lawrence of Arabia
Thursday, 23 April
Club Talk: The Stragglers of the Asia Cricket Club
Please note
While we hope there will be no changes, some might occur. Please contact the Membership Secretary for more details membeship@cavgdsclub.co.uk
Retracing the steps of Lawrence of Arabia