History

The Society was founded in 1894 when it was known as the Pembroke County Club (London) and was the first Welsh county society to be established in London. It rapidly earned an enviable reputation as a most successful vehicle of social intercourse for Pembrokians, their friends and associates and was undoubtedly one of the leading County Societies in the Metropolis. Its gatherings and functions were supported by eminent personalities and by their more humble compatriots and were reported in national and local press. Notable events include:

Historical Notes:

1897 Banquet to mark the 100th Anniversary of the repelling of the last invasion of this country at Fishguard, when a silent toast was given to the “memory of Lord Cawdor and the County Forces in 1797”.
1899 Presentation of a Sword of Honour to Colonel H.H.Mathias (commanding the Gordon Highlanders), the hero of Dargai.
1928 The Society entertained at its Annual Dinner General G.H.Harries, Commander in Chief, United States Army.
1936 Presentation of the Bardic Crown to the National Eisteddfod, held at Fishguard.
1972 Banquet at the Mansion House, London, by courtesy of the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London Lord Mais, a member of the Society.
1986 Presentation of the Bardic Crown at the National Eisteddfod, held at Fishguard
1995 Centenary Banquet at the Mansion House London, by courtesy of the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Sir Christopher Walford.
1997 Presentation to the town of Fishguard and Goodwick of a silver key to be presented in turn to HRH the Princess Royal, Colonel-in-Chief the Royal Logistic Corps, who was graciously pleased to receive it on behalf of 224(Pembroke Yeomanry) Squadron RLC (V), on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the surrender of the French invasion forces on 24 February 1797 and the subsequent grant to the Pembroke Yeomanry of the Battle Honour “Fishguard”. A Banquet was held to mark the Bicentenary when a silent toast was again given to the “memory of Lord Cawdor and the County Forces in 1797” and a commemorative plate was presented to the Society by the Squadron

 

Annual Banquets: The first Annual Banquet in 1894 was held within the bounds of the City of London at Anderson’s Hotel, Fleet Street, but the venue in subsequent years was changed. 1967 saw a return to the City, when the Annual Banquet was held at the Livery Hall of the Worshipful Company of Inn Holders, the guest of honour being the Viscount Simon. Banquets have been held at the House of Lords, at other Livery Halls in the City, such as the Apothecaries Hall, with regular return visits to the Inn Holders’ Hall. In more recent years the Society has enjoyed the intimacy of the Oxford and Cambridge Club.