A passage through time A short history of the London Lodge No 108 Written and presented by W Bro Richard Mead LGR on Thursday 21st January 2010 This page and its content has not been approved by the United Grand Lodge of England The Foundation of The Lodge London Lodge was founded on the 16th January 1760 when a Brother Thomas Dunckerley was granted a warrant number 254 to found a Masonic Lodge on board HMS Vanguard. It is believed that the consecration meeting of Lodge 254, subsequently to become the London Lodge, took place on board HMS Vanguard whilst in Portsmouth Dockyard being re-provisioned prior to its departure for Quebec. The Vanguard warrant established the first Royal Naval Lodge founded on board a British Man of War. In the records of a Grand Lodge meeting held on 14th May 1760, an item appears in the statement of moneys Constitution of a Lodge on board his Majesty s Ship the Vanguard two guineas. Between the years 1756-1764, England was at war with France, and prior to the foundation of the Lodge, HMS Vanguard with Master Gunner Dunckerley had taken part in an ambitious operation to destroy two of the enemy s battleships namely Prudente and Bienfuisant, and later in 1760 Vanguard contributed to the relief operations of the British Garrison in Quebec. Whilst in London in January 1760, Dunckerley attended his mother s funeral, and learned of his birthright that he was the natural son to King George II. The Early Years Ashore When the war with France ended, Brother Dunckerley was superannuated from the Navy and removed Lodge number 254 to the Queen of Bohemia s Head in Wych Street, the Strand. In those days Lodges were known by their warrant number or in some cases by the names of the Taverns where they met. In the early days, the Lodge provided for Membership of up to thirty Brethren, but when it first moved to London there were just seven, Thomas Dunckerley and six others. On the 5th November 1768 W Bro Dunckerley was in the Masters Chair when Mr Alexander Maxton RN was proposed for Initiation. He was Initiated Passed and Raised at a Lodge of Emergency on 10th November (Bro Maxton not being available for regular meetings due to naval service). In the hope of improving the membership it was decided to move to the London Coffee House on Ludgate Hill, and so in 1771 Lodge 254 moved to the new location, adopting the name of London Lodge. Its number was now 163 due to the closing up of numbers when a Lodge handed in its warrant. Also, at about this time, Thomas Dunckerley resigned from the London Lodge. At the first meeting held at the London Coffee House on the 20th November 1771, Dunckerley attended as a visitor, and was requested to rejoin. To which having given his consent, he rejoined, was elected Master, and Installed at the January 3rd 1772 Meeting, and then presided as Master for the next sixteen consecutive meetings. There was an immediate improvement in the fortunes of the Lodge, and at a Lodge of Emergency on 5th Feb 1772 the now Right Worshipful Brother Dunckerley proposed four Gentlemen for initiation. In about 1774, Thomas Dunckerley moved to Hampton Court Palace and his attendances became less regular, but under the able guidance of James Heseltine who as well as being Master of the London Lodge was Grand Secretary it continued to Prosper.
The Hall Medal London Lodge was one of the earliest subscribers to the Grand Lodge Hall Fund, when it was agreed to make a subscription of not less than 25 to be lent without interest. As a mark of distinction for this service, each subscribing Lodge was to be complimented with a medal by Grand Lodge. The medal referred to, is to this day worn by our Worshipful Master. On 4th April 1787, the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge stated that The London Lodge had converted its loan into a gift. The Grand Lodge Minutes of the time record that it was resolved unanimously that thanks be given to the Brethren and Lodges for the liberal and generous present of their subscriptions. Despite at times its paucity of members, between 1768 and 1813 the London Lodge, contributed 74 and six shillings to the General Charity and the Hall Fund. Extracts from Minutes From the surviving minutes of the Lodge, I have selected some of those which give an insight into the workings of the Lodge, particularly over the last 125 years. 125th year 1885 By 1885 The Lodge was meeting at the Ship and Turtle Leadenhall Street The 125th year of the Lodge appears to have been fairly quiet except for serious concern being raised regarding the effect of increasing the Initiation and Joining fees. It was stated that During the years 1868 to 1878 the number of members was averaging 35 and it would be admitted the position of the Lodge was one of great prosperity and considerable power and influence. In 1878 by a resolution of the Lodge the Initiation and Joining fees were increased to fifteen guineas each, a considerable sum in those days. The result of this increase was a decrease in membership and few candidates for Initiation. By 1885 the membership had dropped to 20. There was much debate at the time to reduce the fees, and the members cast their votes equally for and against the motion. The WM Bro James Edell used his casting vote to maintain the status quo. 150th year - 1910 By the 150th year the Lodge was meeting at the Hotel Cecil in the Strand At the meeting held on February 12th 1910, there were 24 Brethren of the Lodge, 21 Guests, and the Tyler present. The Lodge at this time was obviously prospering for at this meeting, 3 Entered apprentices were Passed and then Raised by W Bro Henry Watts. These ceremonies were followed by the Installation of the Master for the ensuing year. Prior to the WM appointing and investing his Officers, the Secretary stated that dispensation was required from Grand Lodge for the appointment of a Bro Tapply as Senior Deacon, which would be produced at the next meeting.. In addition, another Initiate was proposed and seconded who resided in Westcliff on- Sea. It would appear that even then our Brethren travelled considerable distances to meetings of the Lodge. The minutes of the 12th March 1910 meeting, record that dispensation was received from Grand Lodge for Bro Tapply. It was necessary because as well as being a member of the Lodge, he was the Manager of the Hotel Cecil, where they met and dined, thus creating a possible conflict of interest. The summons of this meeting also contained an item To consider and resolve what steps should be taken with the object of obtaining the restoration to the Lodge of the Red Apron and the privilege and duties incident thereto The same having been
conferred on this Lodge on the 2nd April 1782 and subsequently lost. It was unanimously agreed that a committee be appointed to consider the matter, and in the 150th year of the Lodge, make every effort to get back the Red Apron. The WM, Bro Hawkes-Reed stated that Red Apron Lodges enjoyed the privilege of nominating a representative to serve as a Grand Steward at the Festival of Grand Lodge. He further stated that originally there were just twelve such Lodges appointed by the Grand Master. The Red Apron had been bestowed upon the Lodge in 1782. Records inform us that the privilege was exercised to the year 1800 after which no representative was nominated. At this time, the Lodge was in a precarious state with few Brethren attending meetings, the last recorded wearer of the apron was Bro Doctor Brodum who attended the Grand Lodge Festival as Grand Steward, and then nominated Bro John Parry of the St Alban Lodge number 29 to succeed him. It might be assumed therefore that the Red Apron was thus passed to St Alban Lodge. In the same Minutes it is recorded that Bro Watts a Past Master of the Lodge thought that something of a social nature ought to be arranged as an additional way of celebrating the 150th year of the Lodge. On November 12th 1910 the WM reported that he had not received any further communication from the Grand Secretary relating to the application for the Red Apron, and that the committee had nothing further to report. It was however agreed that the meeting to be held in February 1911 be made a special Festival to celebrate the completion of the 150th year of the London Lodge, and that some Grand Officers be invited to attend. Unfortunately the Minutes covering the years 1911 to 1919 are missing, and it must remain a mystery what happened to the Red Apron application, and indeed how the Brethren celebrated their 150th year. 175th Year - 1935 By 1935 meetings were now being held at the Grosvenor Hotel Buckingham Palace Road. The 175th Anniversary Meeting was held on 9th February 1935 @ 4.45pm with a Banquet to follow at 7pm There were 31 Members, 60 Guests and the Tyler in attendance. The business of the evening included the following: - The WM W Bro E K Smith congratulated W Bro Ernest Cotter on receiving the honour of London Rank. The WM stated that in the opinion of the Brethren and himself, Bro Cotter thoroughly deserved this distinction for his good work in the Craft, and for his willingness at all times to offer assistance in the Lodge. On behalf of the Brethren, he then presented Bro Cotter with the clothing appropriate to London Rank The WM for the ensuing year Bro Clifford Higgins was installed in the Chair of King Solomon by W Bro Eric Smith. The WM then appointed and invested his officers. On the second rising the Secretary reported that he had received a letter from the Pro Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and other distinguished Grand Lodge Officers regretting their inability to attend the 175th Anniversary Meeting owing to other engagements and wishing the WM and Brethren of the London Lodge a very happy 175th Birthday with continued success and prosperity. The WM rose for the third time and all Masonic business being ended the Lodge was closed in due form and the Brethren retired to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Lodge at their banquet.
200th Year - 1960 The Bi-Centenary Meeting was held on 30th May 1960 at 5.30pm at Freemasons Hall. There were 35 Members, 120 Guests and the Tyler in attendance The Minutes record that the Secretary W Bro Albert Parker read the dispensation from Grand Lodge, and that the Guest of Honour was the MW Grand Master Lord Scarborough. They also show that W Bro Burbidge gave a resume of the London Lodge History and a most informative exposition on the life of our illustrious founder Thomas Dunckerley of His Majesty s Ship Vanguard (the fourth of the name). He spoke in some detail about the ship and its crew and what it would have been like serving in the Royal Navy in 1760. He then moved up to the present time and spoke about the current Vanguard (the ninth of the name), on which he had served. At the conclusion of W Bro Burbidge s address a vote of thanks was accorded by the WM and Brethren for his fine and scholarly oration. Bro Lieutenant Commander Stuttle on behalf of the Brethren of the then current HMS Vanguard presented the WM with a set of gavels for the use of the Brethren, stating that they were fabricated from materials of the ship, which having been decommissioned was now going to the breakers yard. The Bi-Centenary warrant was presented to the WM by the MW Grand Master who informed the Brethren, that it gave him great pleasure to present this treasured document for 200 years of uninterrupted work as a Masonic Lodge, and that it reflected great credit on the Brethren after this long time span. He also stated that the London Lodge, with its traditions, of which he was well aware, would treasure the memory of this great day in their history. After the meeting the Brethren enjoyed their celebration banquet in the Connaught Rooms. 225th Year - 1985 By 1985, the meetings were being held at Shuttleworth s No 1 The Aldwych The Brethren of the Lodge, many of whom are present tonight did not overtly celebrate the 225th Anniversary of the Lodge, but stuck to the regular business for that year. The meeting of Friday 4th October 1985 was a very special occasion, as W Bro Eddie Poulter took the Chair to raise his Brother, Brother Dennis Poulter to the sublime degree of a Master Mason. In addition to W Bros Eddie and Dennis Poulter, members of the Lodge in 1985 and still involved to this day are:- W Bro Malcolm Shaw then Secretary and now Mentor to the Lodge. W Bro Alec Jessup then Junior Warden and now Senior Steward. W Bro Robert Percival then Junior Deacon and now Director of Ceremonies. W Bro David Slade then a Steward and now our Almoner. Brother Roger Burrows. W Bro Martin Rossi who despite suffering with severe physical disability as a result of an industrial accident has served the Lodge on two occasions as Master, and has frequently stood in at short notice in various offices. On a sadder note, W Bro Bill Comber who in 1985 was Lodge Treasurer, but a few years later died in tragic circumstances, and on his death became a great benefactor to the Lodge. We honour that beneficence every year by holding the Bill Comber Festival. And last but not least, W Bro Wally Coxhead who at the time was a past Master of the Lodge, and was called to the Grand Lodge above on July 2nd 2009 having been an Honorary Member for several years.
1986 2010 Meetings continued to be held at Shuttleworth s until March 1994 when the Masonic centre and restaurants closed. From then, until the present day, we have held our meetings at Mark Masons Hall. In the Minutes of the meeting held on 11th November 1988 It was proposed that the WM and 2 Brethren of the Somerset House and Inverness Lodge be invited to visit this Lodge on some future occasion. This is of interest because The Somerset and Inverness Lodge was again founded by Thomas Dunckerley, as Lodge 279 on board HMS Guadeloupe in 1762, which on coming ashore in 1766, and meeting at Somerset House, took its name. At the installation meeting In February 1993 the WM Bro Bob Coles expressed his thanks on behalf of the Lodge to W Bro Peter Stickley IPM for the kind gift of a set of firing glasses. Over the years many of the Lodge firing glasses had been broken or had disappeared. On the 6th October 1995 the plaque of HMS Vanguard, which had long been part of our Lodge furniture was refurbished by W Bro Reg Harfield of St Vincent s Lodge. Brethren of St Vincent s a naval Lodge based in Fareham Hants, and Brethren of London lodge have, for many years had exchange visits with each other. Friday 7th of November 1997 was an auspicious occasion for the London Lodge, when our WM, Bro Roger Taylor had the great pleasure of welcoming the Honourable Marquess of Northampton DL to our meeting. The Right Worshipful Brother attended in his capacity of Chairman of the London Festival Appeal Committee of the New Masonic Samaritan Fund. He gave a well received address, and presented W Bro Malcolm Shaw Charity Steward with the Gold Jewel in recognition of London Lodge s donations to the Appeal. At the following banquet the RW Assistant Grand Master, graciously permitted a period of cross toasting, a long held tradition of the London Lodge. Closing That Brethren is a taste of the history of the London Lodge, and its foundation and association with Thomas Dunckerley. There is so much more that could be said and written about the London Lodge, and I am sure that it will continue for many years into the future as a working Lodge, enjoying more success and historical occasions. The London Lodge can truly be said to be a friendly Lodge, because the Brethren make a serious effort to get to know the more junior members, and to make our guests feel welcome. I am sure that this goes a long way to explain our longevity Brethren, may I take this opportunity to thank you for your attention.