In June 1914, Sir Robert Walker, Bt, visited Hull with a view to forming a Branch. Sergeant Luck the Coldstream Recruiter there at the time, assisted him. A few old Coldstreamers were interviewed and the nucleus of a Branch Quickly came into existence. In the first place eight members were enrolled, a small number of them forming a committee.
Steps were being taken to obtain suitable premises to establish a Branch Headquarters, in which to hold meetings but the outbreak of war caused all progress to be temporarily suspended. Sergeant Luck and some members of the committee were called up for service and at the request of the president Mr S Gall took over the secretary ship. During the war a gradual increase in membership was affected. After the Armistice the numbers rose rapidly to 133 in July 1919 and to 144 in March 1920.
The visit of Lieut-General Sir I.E.. Codrington and Colonel J. Steele in May 1919, when the 1914 stars were presented was most successful in providing a stimulus to the Branch.
The first Annual General Meeting of the Branch was held at the Grosvenor Hotel, Carr Lane on the 16th July 1919, a large number being present. In the absence of Sir Robert Walker who wrote regretting his inability to attend, Councilor Shepherd was voted in the chair. Mr Gall was unanimously re-elected as Secretary and a committee was chosen. Several matters were discussed, notably the advisability of bringing the Branch to the notice of all old Coldstreamers in the City as the best channel through which to forward any matter connected with their welfare.
It was desired to impress on every old Coldstreamer that no other organization could give him the same sympathetic consideration and help in any difficulty as this Association of his old Regiment. On The 13th January 1920, the Band of the Regiment, conducted by Major J Mackenzie Rogan, gave a concert in connection with the Branch at the City Hall. There was a good appreciative audience.
The 26th of March 1920 was a red-letter day for the Hull Branch, when the new club premises were opened at 26 Park Street. Lieut-General Sir A.E. Codrington K.C.V.O., C.B, performed the official ceremony. The Regiment was also represented by Colonel C.J.C. Grant D.S.O., Major J.C. Brand D.S.O, M.C and Captain J.C. Wynne Finch M.C. a telegram of congratulation and greeting was sent by Colonel H.W. Studd C.B., C.M.G. D.S.O. commanding the Regiment who was unavoidably absent Major Sir Robert Walker Bt, the President of the Branch and the generous donor of the club premises took the chair. He was accompanied by Lady Walker and there were also present the Lord Mayor (Alderman T.J. Hall) the Chief Constable (Mr G Morley) Major A.J.A. Atkinson, M.B.E., JP, Admiral Charles Walker (Beverley) councilor Shepherd, Mr Patrick B Walker and a large number of old Coldstreamers and their friends.
Sir Robert opened the proceedings by outlining the history of the branch and asking General Codrington as Colonel of the Regiment to accept the club as a gift to the Association. General Codrington in accepting thanked Sir Robert for his magnificent gift to the Regiment and declared the club open. The Lord Mayor followed General Codrington with a happy speech on the connection of the Coldstream Guards with Hull.
During the evening the following telegram was sent by General Codrington on behalf of the gathering "To the Equerry in Waiting, Royal Train, Liverpool. The members of the Hull Branch, Old Coldstreamers Association, assembled at the opening of the Clubhouse the gift of Sir Robert Walker Bt send respectful greetings and devoted loyalty to His Majesty, their Colonel in Chief". The following reply was received: - "General Sir Alfred Codrington, Old Coldstreamers Club, Hull. The King sincerely thanks you and those who joined with you for your loyal message. His Majesty hopes that every success will attend the new club. Equerry, Royal train