Army & Navy Stores (United Kingdom) - History

History

The store began as a co-operative society, The Army & Navy Co-operative Society, formed in 1871 by a group of army and navy officers. The intention was to supply 'articles of domestic consumption and general use to its members at the lowest remunerative rates'. The store opened on its present site on 15 February 1872 for the sale of groceries and expanded to include goods as diverse as drapery, drugs, fancy goods and guns. Items useful to the military man such as campaign furniture and sporting goods were also supplied. The store was completely rebuilt and opened in 1977, designed by London architects Elsom Pack & Roberts.

Based on the model of other middle-class co-operatives, such as Civil Service Supply Association (Strand, London, 1864), the society issued tickets to its members in exchange for annual subscription. Membership of 'The Stores' as it became known was open only to those in the higher ranks of the armed forces and the widows of officers as well as the representatives of regimental messes and canteens. In later years membership was expanded to a wider audience and tickets were issued free of charge after 1922. The benefits of membership included a dividend from the profits of the business and the free delivery of goods.

1869 and 1894 ordnance survey maps of the Pimlico area show the Royal Army Clothing Depot near the Thames and bordered by St George's Square, Chichester St and Claverton St. The area is now Dolphin Square. It is believed that this was where some of the A&N goods were produced. The same 1894 OS map also shows an 'Army and Navy Co-operative Society's Stores' toward the east end of Vincent St, Westminster. Currently where Marsham St joins John Islip St.

There were originally 8 directors, the first managing director being Major F.B. McCrea. The last surviving member of the original board, Captain Ernest Lewis, died on 3 April 1926. He was joint managing director and treasurer until he retired in July 1914 after 43 years with the society. One of his sons was Donald Swain Lewis, senior officer who died in the Royal Flying Corps in 1916.