Field-Marshal The Duke of Wellington

On September 18, 1852, the First President of the Army & Navy Club, the Duke of Wellington was buried at St. Paul’s Cathedral “to the noise of the mourning of a mighty nation”. One and a half million people are said to have been present in the streets through which the procession passed. It reached Pall Mall at ten-thirty. Together with all the other clubs the Army & Navy Club was draped with black, and scaffolding was erected outside to provide seats for the Members and their guests, among whom were many ladies. There were but few of the Members who could have served under the Duke in the Peninsula or at Waterloo, but all must have been anxious to pay this last tribute of respect to their late Patron.

The Duke’s death was followed in 1854 by that of the Club’s second Patron, Lord Beresford.