Lodge History

The Lodge was consecrated for “The convenience of Officers garrisoned in Aldershot” on 20th August 1882.  Despite this proviso two civilian were recruited as joining members the following year – a local General Practitioner and Solicitor. However, over the next 116 years only three other civilians were admitted as members.  However, a fall-off in membership in the last decade of the 20th century, a lack of candidates caused by the run-down of service personnel in Aldershot caused a re-think of the Lodge’s admission policy. After much discussion, it was agreed to ease the old rules and open up the qualifications for membership.  In February 1998, it was unanimously agreed that the following individuals should to be considered as possible members: - all serving or ex-soldiers; civilians, who fitted in with the military ethos of the Lodge; and close relatives (eg: sons and son-in-laws) of subscribing members.   

 

Over the years the Lodge met in various military premises within the Garrison until 1993, when security provisions instituted to combat the I.R.A’s mainland bombing campaign forced a move to the Masonic Hall in Farnborough.  As at June 2021, it has been blessed with 971 members, among them were two Princes of the Royal blood and 447 were initiates into the secrets and privileges of Antient Freemasonry.  The Lodge started from humble beginnings, have just nine Founders, only four of whom were actually able to attend the consecration meeting.  At its peak, in the decade after the First World War, membership rose to over 170, but today has shrunk to just over 40. 

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 The history of the Lodge mirrors that of the late 19th, the whole of the 20th and the first part of the 21st centuries, covering the many Colonial Wars, the two World Wars and the later conflicts in Korea, the Falklands, the Middle East and Afghanistan; plus the introduction of the welfare state and the major social upheavals of the recent past.  Brethren have come and gone as units have been posted in and out of the Aldershot area, but the camaraderie and spirit of the members has never dimmed and meetings remain a joy for all that are privileged to attend.

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 Many members have achieved high military rank.  However, only one Initiate has achieved the ultimate military accolade of receiving a Field Marshal’s baton.  He was the Hon. Julian Hedworth George Byng, who was initiated on 16th February 1887, while serving as a Lieutenant in the Xth Hussars.  He went on to command the 3rd Cavalry Division in 1914, the 9th Army Corps at Gallipoli in 1915, the Canadian Army Corps from 1916 to 1917 (notably at the battle for Vimy Ridge) and lastly the British 3rd Army from 1917 to 1918 during the battle of Cambrai.  After the War he was the 12th Governor-General of Canada from 1921 to 1926.  He was appointed Viscount of Vimy and Thorpe in 1928 and promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in 1932.  He died three years later at Thorpe-le-Soken Hall in Essex.

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 Gallantry and service awards have been showered on Brethren of the Lodge over the years. Three members and one honorary member were awarded the Victoria Cross, a host have received lesser gallantry awards and many have received knighthoods of various grades from K.B.E. to K.G. (the Dukes of Connaught and Clarence).

 

Many members have also achieved high Masonic rank.  F.M. the Duke of Connaught was Grand Master for 38 years (1901 - 39) and Gen. Sir Francis Davies was Deputy Grand Master for 12 years (1935 - 47).  The Lodge has provided Provincial Grand Masters for the Provinces of Berkshire, Northumberland, Sussex, Surrey and Worcestershire; District Grand Masters for Bengal, Bombay, Gibraltar and the Punjab; and three Provincial Grand Masters of Hampshire and Isle of Wight – R.W. Bros Capt. Wilfrid Attenborough M.B., B.S., (R.A.M.C.) Maj.Gen. Richard Bond C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., (L/R.E.) and Col Tom Langton M.C. (L/I.G.).  In addition, the Lodge has supplied the Province with 15 of its active Senior and four of its active Junior Wardens.  Three members have also been appointed as Grand Superintendents in the Royal Arch.