"Rotary", or the Rotary Movement, was founded in February 1905 at Chicago by Paul Harris, an American lawyer. It became and remains "Rotary International", with headquarters in the city of its birth.

In 1911, Dublin became the first Club in the British Isles, and the second, London, was registered as No. 50 of Rotary International. There are now over 1750 clubs in the 29 "Districts" of the British Isles, termed "Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland'. "R.I.B.I."

Early in 1924 the London Club ceded territory and District 13 now District 1130 (the Greater London area) was formed. Deptford, inaugurated on November 5th 1924, in a small room behind a baker's shop opposite New Cross Gate Station, was the 10th Club to be formed in the District, which now comprises of over 90 Clubs with over 2,000 members. The Club's Charter is dated December 15th 1924. Deptford's founder members were:- Bernard Weaver (Pres.), W.R. Torry (Vice Pres.), A.W.H. Hickman (Treas.), F.Y. Burnham (Sec), O.D. Manwaring (Interim. Sec.), Ernest Holmes, W.J. Jaggers, E. Rowe and A.P. Witchell(Members of Council), S.W. Barter, O.E. Causer, G.D. Jenkins, L.H. Laver, J. Matthew, and Sir William Wayland.

The Club sponsored the Greenwich Club (March 1926) and Lewisham (May 1926) and assisted in the formation of Bermondsey (December 1926) and Woolwich (June 1927).

The Deptford "Inner Wheel" was inaugurated in June 1933 at the instigation of the President Percy W. Alcock.

In the Rotary year 1974/75 the Club celebrated its Golden Jubilee under the leadership of President Michael Gaylard. The birthday meeting on 6th November was held at Goldsmiths College in the evening. 170 Rotarians and their guests, representing 30 Clubs, sat down to dinner. The guests of honour were the Mayor of Lewisham, Councillor Stanley G.C. Hardy and the Immediate Past President R.I. Rotarian Bill Carter (Battersea) who proposed the toast "The Rotary Club of Deptford". A history of the Club specially written by a former Club Member, Past President Harry Rengert (Rye and Winchelsea) was presented to everyone attending the meeting.

In 1984 the Club celebrated its 60th Anniversary under the presidency of Gordon Wallace. A dinner was held in Deptford at the All Saints Centre, and members of the Club were served by local young people. Special gusts were the Rt. Hon. Edward DuCann M.P. P.C. and the Rt. Hon. John Silkin M.P. P.C. and the District Governor John Thorogood. There were guest and greetings form most neighbouring clubs.

Since 1985 Deptford has undergone many deep economical and social changes. There has been increased pressure on the business community, and many businesses have moved away. Other changes have deeply effected the life of the community such as vanishing Bank Managers - many of whom have been stalwarts of the club in past years. These changes have altered the nature of the club and numbers have declined, but this has not altered the enthusiasm end enjoyment of
members.