From the Archives: The Gibbs Staircase

In a 1997 edition of OverseasTerry Freidmann looked back at the history of world-renowned architect James Gibbs, who is responsible for the beautiful staircase in the Central Lounge of the London clubhouse. 

From the Archives: The Grand Dames of the AMC

With Annual Music Competition season nearly upon us, we look back at an article from Overseas which looks back at the women who helped make the AMC such a success over the years. 

From the Archives: The Royal Connection

The Royal Over-Seas League has enjoyed royal patronage for over a century, with King George V agreeing to become patron in 1916, just a few years after the club's founding in 1910. This tradition has continued with each new monarch, but they haven't been the only members of the Royal Family to take an interest in our activities.

From the Archives: War-time Memories

From the June-August 1995 edition of Overseas,ROSL member Peggy Trott discusses the role the London clubhouse played in BBC broadcasts during the turbulent times of the Second World War. 

From the Archives: When The Queen Came to Tea

Here at ROSL we are very lucky to have HM The Queen as our Patron, serving in the role for many years, alongside HRH Princess Alexandra as our Vice-Patron. In today's article we look back at the visit she made to Over-Seas House, London, with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, on 8 March 1990. 

From the Archives: Where the Royal Standard Flies

In the October 1963 edition of Overseas, E R Yarham explains when and why the flags representing ROSL Patron HM Queen Elizabeth II are flown. 

From the Archives: Why Fly?

Given the environmental theme of the current edition of Overseaswe look back on an article from a 2005 edition, in which ROSL member John Luckie discusses his preferred mode of transport; container ship! 

Happy Birthday AA Milne

Today in 1882 world renowned author and poet, AA Milne, was born in London. Most famous for creating the residents of Hundred Acre Wood, led by Winnie the Pooh, AA Milne's stories have been a central part of children's fiction for generations. 

Happy Birthday Millicent Fawcett

To celebrate the birth of renowned British suffragist Millicent Fawcett, on 11 June 1847, whose statue was recently unveiled in Parliament Square, ROSL looks back at an article she penned for Overseasin 1917 entitled 'When we have the vote'. 

How Did the Duke of York Bar Get its Name?

Many of you who have visited the London clubhouse over the years will have spent time in the Duke of York Bar, sipping a gin and tonic, watching Wimbledon or just gazing out over Green Park. But have you ever wondered why it is named after the Grand Old Duke of York, King George III's favourite son? 

International Women's Day: The Women of ROSL

Much of the success of the club is down to women, both members and staff, who have helped shape its aims and ethos since 1910. In celebration of International Women's Day, we look at some of the prominent women who have played a part in our success. 

Looking ahead to the Commonwealth Games

It is now less than five months until the XXI Commonwealth Games begin on the Gold Coast of Australia, on Wednesday 4 April 2018. The fifth time Australia has hosted the games, the multi-sport event has been held every four years since 1930, when it was known as the British Empire Games. 

Looking Back at ROSL News

Since I joined as ROSL Editor in March 2017, I have tried to make sure the website is updated every weekday with news on what is going on at the club and at the branches, the events that have been happening and are coming up, giving you an inside look at the behind the scenes workings of the staff, picking out interesting articles from the Overseas archive, and marking important and interesting anniversaries throughout the year. Hopefully, these daily snippets have kept you all interested. 

Return from Hollywood

Many members may have noticed the large painting King George VI and Family by George Harcourt, which hangs in the Members' Drawing Room, but did you know it was lost for many years before being returned to the club in the early 1990s?

The Art of the Cover

The Overseas journal has now been published for 103 years and in that time some exceptional cover art has been created to celebrate ROSL. Everything we stand for, the artists and musicians we support, the education and humanitarian projects we fund, our clubhouse, our patrons, our members from all over the world, and the current events that have shaped that world, have all been depicted at one time or another. More than just the bread in which the meat of each issue is contained, the cover of a magazine can act as a powerful statement of who we are and what we stand for. 

The History of Park Place

The street on which ROSL has its home dates back more than 300 years and understandably holds a special place in the hearts of many members. An article in the August 1935 edition of Overseas entitled 'The Romance of St James's' gives a potted history of the street and its famous residents.

The IRA Plot at the Heart of Over-Seas House

On 27 September 1990 the IRA endeavoured to cause a major explosion in the conference room at Over-Seas House, London, in what was the called St Andrew's Hall, now Princess Alexandra Hall. 

Today in History: 1945: Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima

Today marks the anniversary of the first use of atomic weapons in war, when the Japanese city of Hiroshima was almost completely destroyed by an atomic bomb, dropped by a US B-29 Superfortress bomber, known as the Enola Gay on 6 August 1945. The bomb, dubbed 'Little Boy', was followed three days later by the 'Fat Man' atomic bomb, which was dropped on the nearby city of Nagasaki. 

Today in History: 1945: D-Day Landings

Today marks the anniversary of the largest seaborne invasion in history when Operation Neptune, the codename for the Normandy landings, saw Allied forces begin the invasion of Europe in France, during the Second World War. 

Where Do You Read Yours?

Snapped Reading Overseas has been a regular feature of the journal since 1920. Our readers have covered hundreds of countries, all seven continents, the high seas, and the higher mountains. Take a look at some of our readers through the ages.