Lower Bourne Social Club History

There has been a clubhouse in Lower Bourne for over a Century.

Early History and roots of the Lower bourne Social Club
​'The Comrades of The Great War' were formed in 1917 as a non-political association, representing the rights of ex-service men and women who had served or had been discharged from service during The Great War 1914-1918. This association was one of the original four ex-service associations that amalgamated on Sunday 15 May 1921 to form The British Legion. The first President and Chairman of the Legion were Field Marshal Earl Haig and Lance Bombardier Tom Lister. Lister was knighted in 1961. The Bourne branch of the Comrades of the Great War applied to join and were accepted on the 5th of July 1921, becoming the 8th member group into the British Legion.

Looking for a place to meet, they acquired a hut which was reputed to have billeted members of the Canadian Army prior to them being sent to the Western Front. What is certain, is that the first Chairman of the Bourne branch was Lt Col G. A. Phillips who commanded the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment during pivotal early 20th-century campaigns, including service in the Boer War and the World War I battles of Mons, Ypres, Loos and Morval. He was wounded in 1916 and evacuated back to the UK.

The original hut is still situated at 83 Burnt Hill Road though the British Legion have moved to other premises. The Lower Bourne Social Club who shared the site with them for many years, remains, and maintains with pride the memorial inscribed with the names of the men from the Bourne who lost their lives in both World Wars.

Lower Bourne Social Club - The Present
'The Shed’, as the clubhouse is affectionately known, is now the home of the Lower Bourne Social Club, plus a well-supported bowling club. Additionally, there are darts and snooker tournaments, live music, quiz-nights, line dancing, bingo and the occasional Birthday bash.  On weekdays, it is also home to the Pine Tree Nursery for children.

For more information on the Lower Bourne Social Club please check other pages on this website, or visit our Facebook page. For information about the RBL, visit the Royal British Legion website