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HISTORY
China Fleet - T
hrough the Ages
Starting Life as a club for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines the China Fleet Club is steeped in military history, and has for decades provided first rate leisure facilities.
The original foundation stone for the China Fleet Club in Hong Kong was set 1933 and was opened by Commodore Frank Elliot. Prior to the establishment of the China Fleet Club, the Royal Navy Canteen looked after all the recreational needs of the fleet. The introduction of a designated club was warmly received and by the end of the 1930’s the club wasn’t big enough to cope with the needs of such a large fleet.
At this point there were ideas to expand the club and the plans were designed by architects and agreed by the Hong Kong government. However, by 1939, there were rumours of war so all plans for extensions were suspended. As rumours became reality, Hong Kong started preparing for war and The China Fleet Club was selected as the first headquarters for the Royal Navy during the war. 
The club carried on as normal leading up to the war and even showed a profit during 1939, 1940 and 1941. During the war period the club received a direct hit which caused some disruption but luckily the bomb failed to explode causing minimal damage to the club. In 1945 when re-occupying forces entered Hong Kong Harbour, the club was found to be in reasonable order with only surface damage like broken windows, dirty floors and two shell holes.
Following the war it was decided that the club should be re-opened and should be run ‘for the fleet by the fleet’. The club started selling beer again but had to ration the sales to only 1,000 per day, each ship was issued beer vouchers and rations would only be sold to the lucky ticket holders. The China Fleet club reached its ‘boom’ during the Vietnamese war in the late 1960’s, when the American and allied forces used it for rest and recreation.
1980 saw the extensive redevelopment of the China Fleet Club which continued its role in playing host to visiting warships. China Fleet was the 1st port of call to both the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. During 1988 it was agreed by the committee that another China Fleet Club should be opened in the UK, and a suitable site was found in Saltash in Cornwall. The new China Fleet club was formally opened by Prince Charles on 5th December 1991. Sadly, the China Fleet Club in Hong Kong had suffered long term difficulties and closed near the end of 1992, marking the start of a new era for the club.
The China Fleet Club in Saltash proved to be a great success, targeting and appealing to a much larger range of members from military and ex service personal thorough to local families and businesses. Now one of the region’s premier country club’s China Fleet offers extensive accommodation, a championship golf course, conferencing facilities, indoor swimming pool, badminton, squash and tennis courts along with fitness, health and beauty suites, U5’s crèche and pre-school. As well as a superb a la carte restaurant, brasserie and bar, the club has something for everyone.
The China Fleet Club has come a long way since its original establishment but its objectives remain the same, to provide the very best leisure and relaxation facilities to all its members.