ABOUT US
The Calcutta Rangers Club, originally known as the Calcutta Naval Volunteers’ Athletic Club is one of the oldest clubs in Calcutta and was formed in 1896 under the Presidentship of Captain E. W. Petley, Mr. L. M. K. Macmillan was the first Honorary General Secretary. Mr. Petley remained as the President till 1898.
In April 1898, The Calcutta Naval Volunteers Athletic Club was transformed into the Calcutta Rangers Club with W. J. Bradshaw as the President and Mr. L. M. K. Macmillan as the Honorary General Secretary.
The objective of the Club was to participate in and promote all athletic games, provide indoor amusement on the Club premises, to embark upon any activities which would be of financial benefit to the Club, and encourage whatever was considered necessary to foster a spirit of goodwill and socialbility among the members of the Club.
In 1899 The Hon. Sri H. I. Prinsep, I. C. S. took over as President of the Calcutta Rangers Club, and continued to serve in this position till 1903.
The entrance fees at that time was Rs.5/- and the subscription Rs.4/-.
The Club was located at Stephen House, 4, Dalhousie Square, East, Calcutta 700 001. In the year 1937 the Club shifted from Stephen House to its current address of 13/1A, Government Place East, Calcutta 700 069.
Anglo Indians and Europeans domiciled in India were eligible for admission to the Club.
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In 1944 the Club President, Mr. B. H. Beake was awarded the order of the MBE.
In April 1946, during Mr. Beake’s Presidentship, the club had a membership strength of over 700. However, due to mass migration to the UK, USA, Canada and Australia, the community and consequently membership numbers dwindled the later to its present strength of approximately 200 in both gents and ladies section.
On Mr. Beake’s migration to Australia in 1946, Mr. W. R. Robinson took over as President and it was under his Chairmanship that the Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee, The highlight of these celebrations was a garden party attended by over 200 people, where his Excellency the Governor of West Bengal, Sir George Burrows was the Chief Guest.
As part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations, the Club also held a ‘Hanicap Doubles Tennis Tournament’ the trophy was donated by the General Secretary. Mr. D. E. Westrap.
In POST Idependent India, Frank Anthony, the renowned Anglo-Indian educationist & leader established the All India Anglo-Indian Education Society and with the generous assistance of the Calcutta Rangers Club opened Frank Anthony Public School in Calcutta in 1965.
In 1971 the Club celebrated its Anniversary under the Presidentship of Mr. Levi.
In 1996 the Club celebrated its Centenary year, a great milestone, under the Presidentship of Dr. Vece Paes.
Club Activities
Education
In 1944 the Rangers Club started its own Education Fund to assist the weaker sections of present and past members’ children. The Club made an annual donation of Rs.10,000/- towards this Fund.
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With the objective of providing the weaker section of the Anglo-Indian community with medical and educational assistance, the Educational Trust Fund, provides education to needy children by paying their tution fees every year and the West Bengal Charitable Trust (a medical trust fund) provides medical aid for aged Anglo Indians.
Recreation
The Calcutta Rangers Club Sweepstakes was held four times in a year ands were linked to the following races :
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i) The Viceroy Cup and the St. Leger in India.
ii)The St. Leger and the Derby in the U.K.
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In 1970 the Club discontinued the Calcutta Rangers Club Sweepstakes and pout the surplus money into 2 Trust Funds:
i) The Calcutta Rangers Educational Fund
ii) The West Bengal Charitable Fund
Social Services
In the early 1940’s the Club maintained a soup / supper kitchen for the weaker section of the community at 57, Ripon Street, Calcutta 16 and a Tuberculosis Clinic in Kidderpore. However due to paucity of funds, these two establishments closed down.
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In 1960, the Club donated money for setting up a TB Hospital at Jadavpur and also presented the Hospital with a van from the proceeds of our Sweepstakes.