From R. W. Pentland, 1914-15, who was the first President of the British Association of Rotary Clubs right through to the present regime of Spencer Hollands, 1953-54, British Rotary has had a splendid lot of Presidents. I have known almost all of them slightly and most of them well. When I look at Home Morton's picture, 1918-19, I think of his fine speech at the Kansas City convention of June 1918. There were no dry eyes in the house when he finished. Alex Wilkie, 1920-21, was well known to many old time Canadian Rotarians as was and is Bill McConnell, whose speech at the Canadian dinner at Los Angeles in June 1922 was an evening highlight; especially that part about some Nebraska Rotarians giving each of the British delegation a small bag of flour. It was 100 degrees and dusty and U.S. was dry, so Bill said he presumed it was to quench their thirst. We had a grand visit with Bill and Mrs. McConnell at their beautiful home at Bray (just south of Dublin) in July 1949. Bill was in a wheel chair but his wit was as bright as ever. Then we all remember Bill Elliott, 1924-25, and regret he was not spared to some day be President of R. I. And that grand Belfast Irishman, Charlie White, who we also saw at Belfast in '49 when he was bravely carrying a very heavy load on his heart, but who still could be so thoughtful and kind. Sidney Pascall, who one day in Montreal, when Bill Cairns walked away from the group, said; "That man has one of the most delightful, homely faces I have ever seen". Of course he was using the word "homely" as it is used in England. Also my old friend Tom Stephenson, 1927-28, who served on the R.I. Board in 1928-29 with me and who I got to know and admire very much. Many Canadians also will remember Arthur Chadwick, 1928-29, who was still going strong when we visited the London Club in 1949, but who passed on soon after. During that visit Ted Unwin and the red tie were both on the job as he also was at Los Angeles in June 1922. I had to call on Wilfrid Andrews (1930-31) when in trouble in London also in 1949, and of course he was helpful. Bad luck and a careless London hotel clerk caused me to miss a visit with my old friend Herbert Schofield (1931-.32) but we had a chat on the phone anyhow. We were on the Resolutions Committee together at the Minneapolis convention of June 1928. Herb Galloway, 1932-33, is also well known to many of us on this side of the Atlantic. John Crabtree (1933-34) endeared himself to our family by sending us each Christmas a very excellent pen sketch of some of England's historic spots. Fred Gray (1934-35) and Edwin Robinson (1935-36) came over to many conventions; in fact, Edwin is still coming but doing as much work as in former years. Tom Warren (1937-38) who became President of R.I. in 1945-46 and who almost became a U.S. citizen. Those of us who were at Atlantic City in 1946 will not soon forget his skilful handling of a very difficult matter at that convention. Also again his excellent work at Mexico City in 1952. There are few Tom Warren's. Tom Benson (1945-46) always could start an argument but he was a good fighter and had a fine knowledge of the background and workings of Rotary. Harold Young of Canterbury (1946-47) made many fine contributions at the conventions and Institutes in America. We enjoyed our visits with Harold and Gladys in 1949 at Canterbury. John Mackie (1947-48); Percy Reay (1948-49); Arthur Mortimer (1949-50); Tom Cashmore (1950-51); Stamp Wortley (1951-52); Stanley Leverton (1952-53); Spencer Hollands (1953-54) are the recent crop and all have made excellent contributions to R.I.B.I. and also at our conventions, Assemblies and Institutes in America. Arthur Mortimer addressed the Toronto Club in 1952 and did a fine job. Stanley Leverton did the same in 1950 and at one of the Assemblies (perhaps Quebec in 1948) at the amateur night, he proved to us all he was no amateur. We also had John Mackie at the Toronto Club about 1951 or 1952 and he also upheld the reputation of R.I.B.I. for choosing as leaders, men of ability and charm. I have especially mentioned the R.I.B.I. Presidents I have known the best. If I remember correctly, Tom Rose came to Tom Warren's rescue in a fine manner at Atlantic City in 1946, that is, if Tom Warren needs any help.

J.A.C.