Reservations
Imagine......
.........The perfect Meeting Place.
HISTORY
The China Fleet Country Club, Saltash has a remarkable history. Born in Hong Kong, to benefit the serving ratings and other ranks of the Royal Navy,
our trust continues to serve not only them but their immediate families too, who are all members by right. Take a look at our timeline below to discover how we went from a Royal Navy Canteen on the Wanchai waterfront to one of the West Country’s leading Country Cl
ubs:
1901 - The mud flats of Victoria Harbour were bought for $2.50 per square foot by a Hong Kong businessman
who began charging for tipping rubble from the growing colony.
1903 - The land began selling for $25.00 per square foot. Short of buyers for the land, the businessman joined
with the personnel of the Royal Navy’s China Fleet to raise funds for a Royal Naval Canteen.
1929 - The canteen proved to be extremely successful and was soon d
emolished to make way for a new building.
1933 - Using the club funds and with a generous loan from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Admiral Kelly, Commander in Chief, China Station, laid the foundation stone for the seven-storey China Fleet Club building. For the men who served on the China Station "The Old Blue" as it was known provided a place for refreshment and decent accommodation away from their crowded ships for the men who served on the China Station.
1941 - During the battle for Hong Kong, the Japanese occupied the Club using it as naval HQ.
1945 - The Club was extensively refurbished and returned to its former use after the Royal Marines and Royal Navy liberated the colony.
1950-53 - During the Korean War, the Club became a major rest and recreation centre for UK and Allied
sailors.
1959-73 - During the Vietnam war Allied and American sailors used the club extensively between tours of duty boosting club profits.
1980 - Land values escalated and the trustees sold the air space over the Club. A developer paid for temporary facilities while building a new luxury club on the first nine floors with 14 more floors of office space above.
1985 - Fleet House opened and because of the agreement to hand back Hong Kong to the Chinese in 1997 the search began for a suitable successor to the China Fleet Club in the UK.
1986 - A proposal to build the China F
leet Country Club at Saltash in Cornwall was put to the Hong sKong sailors committee and Trustees.
1987 - The feasibility study was approved by the Hong Kong sailors committee, the land was purchased and design of the complex began
1989 - Building work began on the 180 acre Saltash site.
1991 - The new China Fleet Country Club opened on June 1st
1992 - On 30th November 1992 the Hong Kong China Fleet Club closed its doors for the last time ready for the Chinese takeover of Hong Kong.
