British Interplanetary Society

From The Space Library

Founded in October 1934 by Philip Ellaby Cleator at his home in Liverpool England.

Members of the London Branch of the BIS in the offices of Professor Low at 8 Waterloo Place Picadilly, London, Tuesday October 27th 1936 - Front row, left to right: Ted Carnell, Arthur C. Clarke, Walter Gillings, Archibald M. Low, P. Bois, J.H.Edwards, Elizabeth Huggett. Back row; Sydney Klemantaski, J.G. Strong , Ralph A. Smith, T. White, George A. Day, Charles Bein, Harold E. Turner, unknown (possibly Kenneth W. Chapman). On this occasion Carnell was appointed chairman. During his inaugural speech he explained why founder Philip Ellaby Cleator had resigned his chairmanship over the decision to move the society from Liverpool to London. Cleator still promised his support, as did honorary acting secretary Leslie Joseph Johnson. This photograph was taken by L. Klemantaski.

Members of the BIS outside the home of Ralph Smith in July 1938. From left to right. H. E. Ross, J.H.Edwards, E. Burgess, H.E. Turner, R.A. Smith, R.C. Truax (visiting from America), M.K. Hanson and A.C. Clarke.