Louis Marchesi was the founder of the Round Table Movement, setting up the first Table in Norwich, Norfolk in 1927 and overseeing its rapid growth during its early years.
“There are things we must do,
There are things we can do,
And there are things we should do!”
Early Life
Erminio Gugliemo Luigi (Louis) Marchesi was born on 19th January 1898 in Norwich, Norfolk to a Swiss Father (Erminio) & and English Mother (Jenny).
He joined the Army, under age, in World War 1 and served throughout the war. He was torpedoed off the Cape of Good Hope and spent 10 hours in the sea. In his letters home he called himself “Erminio” , later using “Louis”, but whilst in Table he called himself “Mark”
After serving in the War, he returned home, He following in his father’s footsteps & becoming a caterer. In 1925, Marchesi purchased Langford’s Restaurant in Norwich. Morning discussions at the restaurant about a new club’s foundation were as lively as the coffee served by Louis’ wife, Dolly with whom he had a son, Peter.
In September 1926, “Mark” as he was then called, the youngest member of the Rotary Club of Norwich, spoke on the topic of youth and business. He emphasized the need for a global club with an age limit for young entrepreneurs and professionals and had already drafted a set of rules and regulations.
On November 22, 1926, Marchesi and a group of Rotarian friends established a new club: “Junior Section for Sons of Master Bakers in Norwich.” Membership was restricted to professionals and businesspeople aged 18 to 40, who had to prove their professional qualifications.
The second meeting, held on January 4, 1927, took place in the Smoke Room of Langford’s Restaurant at 22 Prince of Wales Street, Norwich. The meeting, presided over by Rotarian Walter Smith, focused on selecting a name for the club. One of the attendees reportedly remarked:
“Sitting around this table and not being able to find a suitable name is ridiculous.”
And so, the name Round Table was chosen.
The Birth of Round Table
On 21st February 1927, as England faced its worst economic crisis of the 20th century, the British Industries Fair opened in London. At a gala dinner in Mansion House, London (or Birmingham?), the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) delivered a speech which said”
“The young business and professional men of this country must get together round the table, Adopt methods that have proved so sound in the past, Adapt them to the changing needs of the time, and wherever possible, Improve them.”
Inspired by this message, attendees of a Round Table meeting on the same day at Suckling House, Norwich, decided to engrave the words “ADOPT, ADAPT, IMPROVE” on their meeting bell—a gift from Rotarian Archie Plumstead. On March 14, 1927, 30 men held an officially meeting at Suckling House in Norwich and launched Round Table No. 1 Norwich, marking the beginning of a global movement.
Soon after the first Annual General Meeting of Norwich Round Table is held in February 1928, new Tables are founded in Portsmouth (2), Guildford (3), Southampton (4) & Bournemouth (5). A new Central Council of Round Tables of Great Britain & Ireland is formed on 25th May 1928. Marchesi served as secretary until 1932 and did not assume the presidency until 1935, when RTBI had grown to 100 tables. One of his proudest moments came in 1936 when RT Denmark was formed.
Life after 40
After hitting the age cut-off of 40, Louis was made “Founder & Honorary Life Member” of Round Table in 1937. By 1939 there were over 4,600 members spread across 125 Tables around the country.
During World War 2 he was involved in espionage because of his linguistic skills. After serving, Marchesi continued to be involved with Round Table for the rest of his life.
Mark was always a keen sportsman, particularly football and boxing, played Tennis even over the age of 50. He was a strong swimmer, which saved his life in WW1. One anecdote reveals his imperturbability: he had forgotten his dress trousers, but was unruffled as his brown ones could not be seen behind the tablecloth.
He was very fond of practical jokes, at a farewell party at a National Conference, he turned up in overalls with a broom to sweep up, he was delighted no one recognized him. He aimed to live until 70 ( 3 score years and 10) at 68 he was given 6 months to live by his doctor, but he did make 70, passing away a month shy of his 71st.
Death
On December 10, 1968, Louis Marchesi passed away at his residence in Norwich. This left the entire Round Table community in mourning. A memorial service was held in Westminster Abbey on February 14, 1969, attended by over 3,000 Tablers from around the world. During the service, Rt. Rev canon FJ Bartlett said that it was obvious to all by the nature and size of the congregation that Mark was a man of foresight and inspiration. He referred the congregation to the words of Christopher Wren on the floor of St.Pauls Cathedral “If you want to see a memorial to this man, look around you”. He was laid to rest in Earlham Road Cemetery, Norwich, on 16 December 1968.
A public house in the city’s Tombland area, previously called The Waggon and Horses, was renamed The Louis Marchesi in 1976. The pub closed in 2005 and was later re-opened as a café bar. In August 2017, the pub reopened once again under the name The Louis Marchesi.
