Which countries were the founding members of the British Commonwealth of Nations?

peasypod

In 1931, it was founded under the Statute of Westminster with 5 members: United Kingdom Canada Union of South Africa Irish Free State and Newfoundland http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa111600a.htm May 30 04, 9:47 PM

robboy

I found a little different: Great Britain Irish Free State Canada Australia New Zealand South Africa http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/C_0315.htm "The Commonwealth has emerged with its present status through historical evolution. As the British colonial era began to decline in the mid-nineteenth century under the pressure of demands for self-determination initiated by the British settlers, first Canada in 1867, then Australia in 1900 and New Zealand in 1907 won self-governing status and became dominions. The dominion status with authority of self-governance and extensive independence in foreign affairs fundamentally changed the relationship between the colonies and the imperial power. The British politician Lord Roseberry while visiting Adelaide, South Australia in 1884 termed the empire as a Commonwealth of Nations which perhaps inspired the formation of the present-day forum of the same name. The Commonwealth was formally founded under the Statute of Westminster in 1931 and was then composed of Great Britain, the Irish Free State (now the Republic of Ireland), Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa." May 30 04, 9:50 PM

peasypod

In 1946 the word "British" was dropped. Australia and New Zealand adopted the statute in 1942 and 1947 respectively.* May 30 04, 9:54 PM

shady shaker

According to http://rulers.org, the British Commonwealth of Nations was founded on 11 December 1931. Original signatories were Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Newfoundland, South Africa and the United Kingdom. May 31 04, 4:58 AM