120th Anniversary of The Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship

120 years ago on 2nd April 1901 a group of influential and well-connected women met at 10 Downing Street and formed The Victoria League. Named in memory of Queen Victoria who died a few months earlier, the League’s aim was to promote friendship with Britain’s overseas territories and dominions through activities such as education, setting up essay competitions, supporting libraries, providing books & magazines and extending a hand of friendship.

In the first World War, The League established clubs and hostels in London and Edinburgh for overseas service personnel. In 1927 it started offering accommodation to students coming to London from the many countries which had become members of the Commonwealth when it was formed in 1926. During the second World War the Victoria League again helped service personnel including hospitality & accommodation at the King George & Queen Elizabeth Club (see image).

Post war it returned to supporting education and since 1954 has offered inexpensive accommodation at Student House, a friendly & welcoming residence in Bayswater for young people coming to study in London from Commonwealth countries (see illustration).

The House continues to offer affordable accommodation to Commonwealth students.