1886 – Royal Colonial Institute, 18–21 Nothumberland Avenue, London

This organisation started out as The Colonial Society (1868–1869), then The Royal Colonial Society (1869–1870), then The Royal Colonial Institute (1870–1928), to The Royal Empire Society (1928–1958). The Royal Commonwealth Society is the current name adopted in 1958. On the night of 16/17 April 1941, the building was struck by a two-ton bomb, killing some staff and destroying a large part of their library collection. Again hit in May, it was 1957 befire full restoration of the Society’s Northumberland Avenue headquarters was completed. Sold in the 1990s to pay off debts. Published in The Builder, November 6 1886.

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