History

Since the inception of The Victoria League at the beginning of the last Century, its history has been one of constant adaptation to changing conditions and has come a long way since Mrs. Mary Davis, travelling on a train between Hilton and Pietermaritzburg in South Africa during the Boer War in 1901, said to her companion "I am so weary of the bitterness of this war. Why can't we have a Society of Friendship?" Challenged by her friend, she wrote to No. 10 Downing Street through the Guild of Loyal Women in Cape Town and Lady Edward Cecil, who was in South Africa at the time, brought the request to London. She and Miss Balfour, the sister of the Prime Minister, then summoned a group of ladies to No. 10 Downing Street to discuss the proposal on 2nd April 1901.

The Group decided to form an independent, non-political organisation to promote 'a closer union between the different parts of what was then the British Empire by the interchange of information and hospitality and by co-operation in any practical scheme tending to foster friendly understanding and good fellowship within the Empire.'

An Executive Committee was appointed and the name "The Victoria League" chosen in memory of the late Queen who had died on 22nd January 1901. Margaret, Countess of Jersey, was appointed as President and re-elected annually for 26 years. Membership was open to men and women but the first Committee was composed solely of women who framed a Constitution and enrolled the first General Council. Advice was given by Joseph Chamberlain, Lord Milner and Rudyard Kipling who called The League "the organisation of sympathy."

The earliest request for practical work came from South Africa - for help in tending war graves, in raising funds to alleviate distress among British refugees, and for comforts for Boer women and children in detention camps. Special Committees were set up and funds raised. In the early years the 'Care of War Graves in South Africa Committee' raised £8,000. In May 1901, a "Scheme for Work" was adopted - with "hospitality" and "education" as its objectives. The education work included essay competitions, libraries, magic lantern lectures and the supply of English books and magazines. Sending, addressing and postage payment was done by individual members. In 1909, 50,000 papers and 1,560 magazines went to distant places and lonely settlers. Hospitality was offered to visitors from the Empire - at The League's Club in Whitehall Court - and a panel of London Hostesses opened their doors to overseas visitors - 4,000 during the Summer of 1902!