Foreword
Since the Consecration 100 years ago, there have been
several celebrations to mark the progress of the Lodge: in particular,
the 21st Anniversary, the Jubilee and the Diamond Jubilee. To celebrate
the latter, a booklet was printed covering the detailed History of
the Lodge up to that time.
Whilst it is appreciated that many of the Brethren who featured prominently
during those years are no longer with us, it would diminish the true
Historical record of the Lodge, were all of these facts to be omitted.
The essential facts recorded in 1963 have, therefore, been repeated.
The present Officers and Members wish to place on record their sincere
appreciation of the generous offer by Brother Anthony J. Marren, to
assist with the cost of printing this Booklet.
--ooo--
1903-1913
The Knightsbridge Lodge was Consecrated on Tuesday 29th September
1903 at the Alexandra Hotel, Hyde Park Corner, at which 73 Visitors
were present.
The first Regular Meeting of the Lodge was held on Thursday 8th October
1903 at which the draft By-Laws were approved and the Fees agreed
were:- INITIATION FEE Ten Guineas.
JOINING FEE Five Guineas.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION Three Guineas
DINING FEE One Guinea.
At the early Meetings multiple ceremonies were common, at one of which
four Candidates were Raised, five were Passed and four were Initiated.
The Lodge continued to grow and in 1906, by Special Dispensation,
seven Candidates were Initiated.
In 1907 preliminary consideration was given to Candidates by the Standing
Committee, a procedure which has continued. In 1908 the honour of
London Rank (now L.G.R.) was conferred upon Wor.Bro.F. Sherras.
In 1910, the first Initiate of the Lodge was installed as Master.
By this time the venue for Meetings had been changed to the Hans Crescent
Hotel, where it remained until a move was-made to Freemasons Hall,
Great Queen Street, in 1935.
--ooo--
1914 -1919
Masters
1914 G. Dudley
1915 J. Clarke
1916 A. Barnett
1917 J. J. McKenna
1918 H. Matherson
1919 H. Matherson
The war years were difficult times for Lodges, although Masonry appears
to have flourished at the 'front' and this is borne out in correspondence
from Bro. George Chandler, recording some of his experiences.
In 1915, the Lodge of Instruction was formed and continues to meet
regularly. In this same year Wor.Bro. Tettamenti received London Rank
and two years later was appointed Assistant Grand Standard Bearer.
The war hit the Lodge particularly in 1919. Bro. Albert Levy, who
had been wounded, was elected, Master-elect, but regrettably he died
before being Installed and Bro. Matherson continued as Master for
a further year.
Amongst those Initiated at this time were Keith Best and Fred Tencer,
both to become senior active officers.
--ooo--
1920 - 1929
Masters
1920 J. Sinclair
1921 S. Smith
1922 W. Holmes
1923 J. Summers
1924 W. Penney
1925 P. Miller
1926 G. H. Chandler
1927 J. J. Skinner
1928 W. Hatherall
1929 W. J. Saunders
The post-war years found many offering themselves as Candidates for
Freemasonry and, by the aid of emergency meetings and working three
degrees at some meetings, all were Initiated into the Lodge. Amongst
those who, whilst no longer with us, will be remembered for outstanding
services to Knightsbridge Lodge, were Henry Gould and Charles Fisher.
In 1921 the Million Memorial Fund was launched and the Lodge achieved
the distinction of becoming a Hailstone Lodge.
In 1924 the Twenty-first Anniversary of the Lodge was celebrated with
a rehearsal of the Consecration Ceremony, carried out by Grand Officers.
In 1926 the Lodge was represented at the laying of the Foundation
Stone of the Masonic Peace Memorial Building (Freemasons Hall) and
in 1927 became a Founding Lodge of the Royal Masonic Hospital.
In 1928 the 100th Regular Meeting of the Lodge was held.
--ooo--
1930 -1939
Masters
1930 C. Morris
1931 E. Baccus
1932 A. Loveridge
1933 K. Best
1934 F. Tencer
1935 S. Garbett
1936 C. A. Worsfield
1937 H. Levy
1938 H. Gould
1939 H. Gould
In 1931 a presentation was made to Wor.Bro. Saward on his retirement
and Wor.Bro. G, Chandler became Secretary, an office he was to grace
for thirty years.
Amongst the Initiates in this period, still remembered by most, are:
Percy Sumner (1931) William Doughty (1934) Gilbert Pearce, Edward
Minty and Leslie J. Gollop (1935). The Lodge held its Meeting in Freemasons
Hall for the first time in 1935 and this is still its permanent meeting
place.
Throughout this period the Lodge pursued an even course: its form
of Working had long been established, based on West-end working with
some special Features.
Evening Dress was worn at all Meetings and Masonic Mourning on appropriate
occasions. Due to the size of the Lodge, the number of Candidates
was restricted to three per year. The financial position was flourishing
and in 1934, the wise policy was adopted, of investing part of the
Lodge and Benevolent funds.
At the end of this period the Lodge came under the cloud of coming
events. With the outbreak of World War Two, Brother C. H. B. Fisher
(Master-elect) was unable to undertake the duties of Master and Wor.Bro.
Henry Gould was Installed as Master for a further year.
--ooo--
1940 -1945
Masters
1940 C.H.B. Fisher
1941 W. Gaylard
1942 C.M. Lovie
1943 C. Franks
1944 W.J. Post
1945 W.H.J. Doughty
The Lodge was severely affected by the circumstances of the war and
the air raids necessitated a change of meeting times to the morning,
followed by lunch, but the attendances were small. Many Brethren had
to pick their way through rubble and round still burning fires to
reach Great Queen Street after a night raid.
In the later war years meeting times became more normal and the 150th
Meeting was held at 2 p.m. in 1943. During this time food was rationed
and it was common for Brethren to bring small portions of their butter
and cheese rations to the Festive Board. In 1944 Wor.Bro. George Chandler
was appointed Past Assistant Standard Bearer.
--ooo--
1946-1955
Masters
1946 E. F. D. Minty
1947 G. Pearce
1948 L. J. Gollop
1949 P. E. Sunnier
1950 H. Kavanagh
1951 S. Topping
1952 G. Flack
1953 Rev: F. L. Grant
1954 J. J. Topping
1955 C. K. Hoad
In the immediate post-war years there was again a considerable number
of Candidates. Emergency Meetings were held and at a number, all three
Degrees were worked.
In 1946 Wor.Bro. Henry Gould proposed the foundation of a Royal Arch
Chapter associated with the Knightsbridge Lodge and on the 24th June
of the same year, the Knightsbridge Chapter was Consecrated by the
late Sir Sidney White. The years proved happily uneventful following
the building up of the membership. Numbers were maintained and yeoman
service was given by Past Masters and others, in bridging the gaps
created by the war years.
In 1953 the Lodge celebrated its Jubilee with special ceremonies at
the Installation Meeting in October and a special Church Service in
the following March.
In 1948 the Annual Subscription was increased to £5.5.0d. In
April 1955 the Lodge held its 200th Regular Meeting.
--ooo--
1956-1962
Masters
1956 F. S. Law
1957 J. H. Powsey
1958 T. C. Crone
1959 R. A. C. Coleby
1960 R. T. C. Smith
1961 J. F. Coote
1962 E. G. B. Carrs
In 1957, the honour of London Grand Rank was conferred upon Wor.Bro.
Leslie Gollop. In 1958 an event, unique at the time in the History
of the Lodge, was the presentation of a silver Snuff Box, suitably
inscribed, to Wor.Bro. G. Chandler P.A.G.St.B., the most senior member
of the Lodge, in appreciation of 39 years of unbroken service to the
Lodge, including 30 years as Secretary. At the April Meeting in 1961
a telegram, making apologies for absence, was received from Brother
Chandler. He died next day. Many sincere tributes were paid to his
memory at the next Meeting.
Wor.Bro. C. K. Hoad was appointed to succeed him, but the records
show that in fact he had been shouldering many of the secretarial
duties for a number of years previously. The annals of these years
also record the passing of other distinguished members:- Wor.Bro.
K. Best L.G.R. (1959) Wor.Bro. Gaylard (1960) Wor.Bro. F. Tencer P.A.G.St.B.
(1961) Wor.Bro. The Rev: F. L. Grant and Wor.Bro. Frank (1961).
To celebrate the DIAMOND JUBILEE an emergency meeting was held by
Dispensation on Wednesday 25th September 1963. Following the formal
Opening of the Lodge, the Worshipful Master invited senior Past Masters
to occupy the following Offices: - Wor.Bro. H. Gould L.G.R. (W.M.)
Wor.Bro. W. Post (S.W.) Wor.Bro. W. Doughty L.G.R. (J.W.) Wor.Bro.
G. Pearce L.G.R. (S.D.) Wor.Bro. P. Sumner L.G.R. (J.D.) Wor.Bro.
S. Topping (I.G.) The Minutes of the first Meeting of the Lodge in
1903 were read. An Oration was given by Wor.Bro. The Rev F. J. Dove,
P.A. G. Chaplain. The elected Officers having resumed their respective
positions, the Lodge was closed, followed by a special procession
formed by the Officers and the Senior Past Masters.
This year also records, for the first time, the sending of Gifts and
Christmas Greetings to the Widows of deceased Brethren of the Lodge.
This custom has continued without break and is greatly appreciated
by the recipients.
During this period the three L.O.I. Pedestals were 'lost or stolen'
and in view of the high cost of replacement, the purchase of materials
was met by Wor.Bro. H. Gould and Wor.Bro. W. Doughty and the construction
was carried out by Wor.Bro. E. Carrs. They were dedicated to the above
donors and to Wor.Bro. C. Fisher and are still in use.
--ooo--
1963-1972
Masters
1963 R. A. Wallace
1964 J. T. Porter
1965 P. Druce
1966 J. L. Mote
1967 A. G. Bicknell
1968 K. G. Williams
1969 A. G. Bligh
1970 S. E. English
1971 R. W. Thornton
1972 A. Todd
A few days after the first Meeting in 1963, Wor.Bro. C.K. Hoad was
invested with London Grand Rank and two years later Wor.Bro. P. Sumner
was similarly honoured, but due to failing eyesight he was forced
to retire from office. The years from 1965 onwards were both eventful
and financially difficult years for the Lodge.
A unique situation arose from a letter to all Lodges from the Grand
Secretary referring to a Proposition by the Rt: Wor.Bro. Bishop Herbert
(Provincial Grand Master for Norfolk) to permit variations in the
Penalties of the Obligations in all three degrees. The Past Masters
of the Lodge, after very careful study, recommended 'NO CHANGE' and
when the matter was raised for discussion in open Lodge, prior to
a Ballot being taken, there was some support for adoption of the proposed
alteration. Other Brethren expressed the view that the Obligations
were more symbolic than literal and preferred no alteration to an
Obligation they had freely given at their Initiation. The Ballot disclosed
a majority in favour of 'NO CHANGE' and it was pointed out that this
decision must be adhered to without further discussion, for at least
five years. This is now more than 12 years ago and the topic has never
been raised.
In 1965, a ceremony unique in the History of this Lodge, was the Initiation
of Marshall Druce by his blood brother, W.Bro. Patrick Druce, both
of whom had been proposed by their Step-Father, W.Bro. E. G. B. Carrs.
At that time W.Bro. Patrick Druce at the Age of 33, was the youngest
member to have served the Lodge as Master.
The year 1965 also saw a much needed change in the after proceedings
(Festive Board) resulting in Toast and Call-up lists being prepared
before each meeting, thus reducing the number and length of speeches.
The Association of West End Lodges was formed and Knights-bridge became
a Founder Lodge.
Whilst applications for membership continued to be received, some
anxiety was expressed that many of the new Initiates did not continue
actively towards taking office and it was decided to adopt a stricter
attitude, by interviewing both the Proposer and Seconder prior to
interviewing the Candidate.
The year 1966 was saddened by the loss of our senior Past Master,
Wor.Bro. Henry Gould L.G.R. and many were the tributes paid to his
outstanding service to both the Lodge and the Chapter over a period
of 45 years.
The Commemorative Jewel, presented to the Lodge for its support of
the Grand Master's appeal for the R.M.B.I. to celebrate the 250th
Anniversary of Grand Lodge, was worn for the first time by Wor.Bro.
J. L. Mote.
The Minutes of the Installation Meeting in 1967, record the Installation
as Grand Master, of H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, G.C.M.G., at which ceremony
the Secretary and Wor.Bro. Mote were privileged to be present.
Wor.Bro. H. J. Powsey was appointed to London Grand Rank and the deaths
of Wor.Bro. Law and Wor.Bro. Pearce L.G.R. are recorded in this same
year.
In 1968, due to demolition of the premises in Pont Street on the Cadogan
Estate, the Lodge of Instruction had to change its venue to 35 Old
Church Street, S.W.3. where it continues to meet.
1969 was notable in recording the absence of Wor.Bro. C. K. Hoad L.G.R.
(Secretary) from a Regular Meeting, for the first time since his Initiation
in 1946. This followed a serious illness in the previous April and
Wor.Bro. E. G. B. Carrs was appointed Acting Secretary. These Minutes
also record the death of the Most Wor. Pro Grand Master, The Rt:Hon:
Earl of Scarborough, a former Grand Master.
Wor.Bro. R.A.G. Coleby received London Grand Rank.
A new word — DECIMALISATION — came into prominent use
at this time, with dramatic consequences to the finances of everyone,
in and outside of the Craft. The value of the £ was reduced
from 240 pence to 100 new pence. Its first impact on the Lodge was
to cause it to reduce, after much heart searching, our annual donation
to the Wor. Master's Charity List, from 50 Guineas to £26.50p.
Following upon this, 1971 saw a decline in full membership, with many
applications to be put on the Country List. We also suffered the permanent
loss of the services of Wor.Bro. Hoad L.G.R., who had reluctantly
decided that his health would not permit him to resume the duties
of Secretary. In appreciation of his most valued services to the Lodge
since 1961, he was presented with an Illuminated Address and a gold
Parker Pen. Wor.Bro. E. G. B. Carrs was appointed Secretary.
Knightsbridge Lodge became a Patron Lodge of the Royal Masonic Benevolent
Institution. 1972 brought about the necessity for further economies,
in spite of which, the Annual Subscription for Full Membership had
to be increased to £18.00.
Wor.Bro. E. G. B. Carrs (Secretary) was Invested with London Grand
Rank.
--ooo--
1973-1978
Masters
1973 M. Druce
1974 W. Still
1975 S.W. Howard
1976 W. Robertson
1977 A.J. Howard
1978 A.J. Howard
In spite of the many problems of the past recent years, the membership
has been moderately well maintained, although barely sufficient to
offset the number, who for business reasons have moved far away from
London or are working abroad.
Continued inflation really hit hard in 1974 and 1975 when, for the
first time in decades our Annual Ladies Festival had to be cancelled
due to the astronomical increase in the costs involved. To add to
the difficulties of this period, London was being subjected to indiscriminate
bombing attacks by Irish Republican forces and safety precautions
led to body searches and examination of personal luggage.
In 1975, in an effort to boost donations to our Masonic Charities,
Grand Lodge proposed the appointment of a Lodge Charity Steward, to
be additional and senior to the office of Almoner. The first Brother
to be so appointed in Knightsbridge was Wor,Bro. J. T. Porter. The
approved Jewel of this office is a Trowel and Wor.Bro. Porter continues
to justify his appointment by the worthwhile increase in donations
collected. London Grand Rank honours were conferred upon Wor.Bro.
R. T. C. Smith.
Whilst inflation has not abated, it would appear to have become accepted
as inevitable and, happily, our Ladies Festivals were resumed in 1977,
most successfully under the Presidency of Wor.Bro. W. Robertson who
was proud to receive a telegram from Her Majesty — The Queen
sincerely thanks you and the Members of The Knightsbridge Lodge No
2978 Meeting on the occasion of your Ladies' Festival for your kind
message of loyal greetings which Her Majesty greatly appreciates.
- Private Secretary.
Our present Worshipful Master has expressed his desire to include
this Function in his year of office and the essential preparations
have already been made. The Annual Subscription for Full Membership
has now risen to £35 and whilst the incomes of the younger members
have risen substantially, those hardest hit are the senior members
living on retirement incomes. Here it is perhaps appropriate, to pay
tribute to a Brother who is approaching his 92nd birthday and, after
53 years as a member of the Lodge, still keeps in touch with a number
of the officers. He is Wor.Bro. 'Bill' Post and we all wish him well.
At the time of going to press the age of our youngest member is 28
years and the average age is 59 years 4 months.
In 1977, after a long and painful illness, Wor.Bro. Tony Bicknell
died in Hospital. Many tributes were paid to his services as Almoner,
especially to the time he devoted to visiting the sick, the lonely
Members and Widows.
The Lodge suffered a further loss following the death on 1st March
1978 of the Treasurer, Wor.Bro. R. W. Thornton. In addition to managing
the finances of the Lodge, Wor.Bro. "Reg" was a keen supporter
of the Lodge of Instruction and the Chapter, of which he was 1st Principal
in 1974 and 1975.
The reader will have noted that throughout this History of the Lodge,
the honour of London Grand Rank has been conferred upon Members at
consistent intervals for outstanding service to Knightsbridge and,
we trust, these honours will continue to be conferred on those worthy
to receive them.
The more highly prized honour of Grand Office naturally appears less
frequently, but during this History of the Lodge, such honours have
been conferred upon W.Bro. Tettamanti (1915), W.Bro. Chandler (1944)
and to W.Bro. Tencer, just prior to our Jubilee Meeting in 1953.
On 26th April 1978, as the 75th Anniversary approaches, Wor.Bro. Leslie
J. Gollop was Invested as ASSISTANT GRAND STANDARD BEARER by The Most
Worshipful The Grand Master, H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, G.C.M.G. This
richly deserved honour follows outstanding and unbroken service to
the Lodge, the Chapter and the Lodge of Instruction since 1935. The
Secretary and W.Bro. A. Howard were privileged to be present.
Reference to a re-print of the list of Officers at the time of our
Diamond Jubilee, 15 years ago, indicate the small number who have
survived and are still active, but the reader will have realised that
the vigour and Masonic zeal of the Knightsbridge Lodge is undiminished.
The Initiates of one era produce the Masters of a later and the Past
Masters of yet a later era.
Over the years the Lodge has retained its distinctive working and
essential character and, in looking forward to the continued success
and happiness of the Lodge, may the events and personalities here
recorded, provide an inspiration of true masonic worth.
To conclude, an appreciation should be recorded to the Secretaries
of the former years, whose accurate recording of events and preservation
of documents over the many years have made the preparation of this
History possible. May we hope that this standard is maintained to
enable a Centenary version to be published in the year 2003.
--ooo--
Secretaries
1903 W. H. Brand
1910 Haswell Turner
1917H. Saward
1931 G. H. Chandler
1961 C. K. Hoad
1969 E. G. B. Carrs
Treasurers
1904 Haswell Turner
1910 F. Sherras
1926 W. J. Ross
1935 W. Holmes
1941F. Tencer
1960 E. F. D. Minty
1964 H. J. Powsey
1975 R. W.Thornton
1978 W. Still
Directors Of Ceremonies
1908 H. Saward
1917 W. J. Ross
1926 J. J. McKenna
1931 W. Holmes
1935 J. J. Skinner
1941 K. Best
1949C. H. B. Fisher
1960 L. J. Gollop
Charity Steward
1976 J. T. Porter
Almoners
G. M. Collis 1914 S. Smith 1924
F. Miller 1929 A. F. Loveridge 1935
F. Tencer 1936 H. Levy 1941
C. A. Worsfield 1946 E. F. D. Minty 1949
L. J. Gollop 1950 E. F. D. Minty 1955
F. S. Law 1958 R. T. C. Smith 1963
A. G. Bicknell 1975 R. T. C. Smith 1977
Reprint from 1963 Diamond Jubilee Summons
MASTER
(A) W.Bro. Edmund George Bernard Carrs
IMMEDIATE PAST MASTER
(X) W.Bro. Francis J. Coote M.V.O.
OFFICERS
(C) Bro. R. A. Wallace S. W.
(A) Bro. J. T. Porter J. W.
(C) W. Bro. P. E. Sumner Chaplain
(D) W. Bro. E. F. D. Minty L.G.R. Treasurer
(C) W. Bro. C. K. Hoad Secretary
(A) W. Bro. L. J. Gollop L.G.R. D. C.
(C) Bro. P. Druce S. D.
(A) Bro.J. L. Mote J. D.
(C) W. Bro. H. J. Powsey A. D. C.
(D) W. Bro. F. S. Law Almoner
(A) W.Bro. R. A. G. Coleby Assnt. Secretary
(A) Bro. R. E. Boatman I. G.
(R) Bro. R. B. Baker Steward
(A) Bro. H. East Steward
(D) Bro. H. P. B. Boatman D.C.M. B.E.M. Steward
(D) Bro. A. G. Bicknell Steward
(R) Bro. L. Tinckham Steward
TYLER
(R) W.Bro. T.Thompson L.G.R. No 5163
ACTING ORGANIST
(D) Bro. W. Fisher
SUBSCRIBING PAST MASTERS
(D) W.Bro. Henry Gould L.G.R. ... 1938-40
(C) W. Bro. W. J. Post ... 1944-45
(D) W.Bro. W.H.J. Doughty L.G.R. ... 1945-46
(D) W.Bro. E. F. D. Minty L.G.R. ... 1946-47
(D) W. Bro. Gilbert Pearce L.G.R. ... 1947-48
(A) W.Bro. L.J. Gollop L.G.R. ... 1948-49
(C) W. Bro. P. E. Sumner ... 1949-50
(X) W.Bro. H. Kavanagh ... 1950-51
(R) W. Bro. S. Topping ... 1951-52
(R) W. Bro. J. J. Topping ... 1954-55
(C) W. Bro. C. K. Hoad ... 1955-56
(D) W.Bro. F. S. Law ... 1956-57
(C) W.Bro. H.J. Powsey ... 1957-58
(C) W. Bro. T. C. Crone ... 1958-59
(A) W. Bro. R. A. G. Coleby ... 1959-60
(A) W. Bro. R. T. C. Smith ... 1960-61
(X) W.Bro. J. Francis Coote M.V.O. ... 1961-62
(A)Still Active (C) Country Member (D) Deceased (R) Resigned (X) Excluded
Submitted by Worshipful Brother M.Allen
Former Masters
