In 1906, the future Queen Mary, then Princess of Wales, became Patron of The Victoria League which expanded rapidly with 27 branches by 1909 - in England, Scotland and in the overseas Dominions which, though independent, nevertheless received Royal Patronage provided they remained non-political with membership open to both men and women. The League has been honoured by Royal Patronage ever since. Famous past members include Sir Malcolm Sargent who raised funds with appeals on the BBC, Sir Francis Younghusband, the explorer, Field Marshall Jan Smuts, the South African statesman, Leo Amery, Noel Coward and Ivor Novello who donated funds from his musical "Perchance to Dream".
During World War 1, The Victoria League turned its attention to the plight of the armed forces, focusing on hospitality for Commonwealth servicemen. Clubs and hostels were opened in London and Edinburgh and 282,000 beds provided for servicemen on leave. The League became a receiving centre for overseas gifts for distribution to soldiers and relief organisations. In World War II, it provided Commonwealth servicemen in the United Kingdom with 1.25 million beds and 4 million meals. The Durban, South Africa, branch provided almost 5 million meals for Commonwealth servicemen and arranged for voluntary workers to pack and despatch food parcels to the United Kingdom - for relatives of men serving overseas. Branches in other Commonwealth countries took up the scheme and by 1946 over a million food parcels had been sent to the United Kingdom. At the end of the war, local branches offered friendship, hospitality and assistance to United Kingdom "war brides" to help them settle in their new homes in Australia and New Zealand.
The Victoria League has also been involved with student hospitality and welfare since 1927 and the present Hostel in Bayswater, London, was opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Alice, The League's President at the time, on 22nd October 1953. Student House, where the Headquarters of The Victoria League is located, has become the focal point of The League's charitable activities. It is extremely popular with students from all parts of the Commonwealth. It is run successfully and its comfortable and secure accommodation is fully utilised with a waiting list for most of the year.
The Victoria League is a member of The Council of Commonwealth Societies. It contributes to HOST, a charity founded by The Victoria League, the British Council and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to arrange for overseas students in the United Kingdom to stay with British families for weekends and especially at Christmas. The Greater London Branch provides Poppy Day Appeal collectors and assists with the annual Commonwealth Countries' League Fair.
The Victoria League is strong and has increased its membership, particularly during the last two years. It is proud of its record of service and achievement over more than 100 years and continues to perpetuate the original ideals of Commonwealth friendship and hospitality.
For members, The Victoria League maintains a Diary of Events and occasions such as Trooping the Colour, Beating Retreat, Commonwealth Day Observance, ANZAC Day and visits to places of interest are well supported by members. Various social events such as barbecues and parties at Victoria League House and Christmas Lunch also prove popular with overseas visitors and United Kingdom members.
