The following is a transcription of a booklet produced to commemorate the first fifty years' history of the Lodge, and is reproduced without amendment or update. The recording of the next fifty years' history is a work in progress, and instalments will appear here in future.
Fifty Years of The Five Orders Lodge No. 3696
Compiled by W. Bro. Douglas Hall, P.M., P.Z., L.G.R., L.G.C.R.
Officers 1963-1964
W. Bro. F.R. Hall Master
W. Bro. W.T.C. Hammond I.P.M.
Bro. H. Silverstone S.W.
Bro. L.A. Milligan J.W.
W. Bro. J.S. Brotchie, P.M., P.Z., L.G.R. Chaplain
W. Bro. R.A.R. Wells, P.M., P.Z. Treasurer
W. Bro. F.C. Freeman, P.M. Secretary
W. Bro. J.H. Manning, P.M., P.Z., L.G.R. D.C.
Bro. A.F. Baird S.D.
Bro. W.G. Salmons J.D.
W. Bro. C.L. Mumford, P.M., P.Z., L.G.R. A.D.C.
W. Bro. F.C. Richardson, P.M. Almoner
W. Bro. W.H. Peterson, P.M., P.Z., L.G.R. Organist
W. Bro. J. Lucas, P.M. Asst. Secty
Bro. J.T. Philp I.G.
W. Bro. E.T. Bates, P.M. Steward
Bro. J. Benn Steward
Bro. S.H. Fryer Steward
Bro. G.E. Vaus Steward
Bro. A.W. Geeson Steward
Bro. A.W. Linton Steward
Bro. R. Hennessey Steward
Bro. C.J. Jackson Tyler
Foreword
To be elected Master of one’s Lodge is an honour – to be entrusted with the Mastership in Golden Jubilee Year is a privilege which I am happy to acknowledge. In thanking the Lodge I affirm that I shall do my best to justify this confidence – I need not emphasize how warmly I appreciate it. I value, also, the opportunity to pen a foreword to this History of the Lodge, which has been so carefully compiled by W. Bro. Douglas Hall: to him and to all who have helped, the thanks of all present and future members are due. It is a humbling thought that this booklet will be studied by Masons yet unborn, and certainly in the year 2013 when the Officers at that time will undoubtedly be preparing for the Lodge Centenary Celebrations. What they will know of us, and of the beginnings of the Five Orders Lodge, will have come to them from the Lodge records and from booklets such as this. Language and customs change – they may well smile at our phraseology and at our photographs – but we hope that something of the spirit of the Lodge has been captured in these pages. Standing as we do at the midway of the first hundred years, we can still grasp the hand of our surviving founder, W. Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood, and extend the hand of fellowship to our brothers of the years to come. In our practice of the principles and tenets of the Craft we hope we have maintained the standard which our Founders would have wished. Certainly, in all sincerity, we have tried to do so. We may be forgiven, then, for approaching our Golden Jubilee Meeting with the feeling that our jubilation is justified, and with the confidence that, on the foundation firmly laid, the Lodge will continue to develop, and to bring satisfaction and serenity to its members. In this memorable year, all Officers and Members of the Lodge join W. Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood, the Past Masters and me in in offering fraternal greetings and good wishes to the Brethren visiting us on our Golden Jubilee Meeting, and to those who, in the years ahead, will continue to uphold and enhance the proud reputation of this, The Five Orders Lodge.
Frank R. Hall Master 1963 – 1964
The Master during the Golden Jubilee Year, W. Bro. F.R Hall
The Foundation of the Lodge
It is often interesting to remember and to reflect upon the small, and sometimes accidental, incidents from which important institutions have grown; such was the case with The Five Orders Lodge, which actually owes its formation to a chance meeting of W. Bro. Cordell and Bro. S. H. Bassett in Bishopsgate on a Monday afternoon early in May, 1913. Whilst walking through Bishopsgate to keep a business appointment W. Bro. Cordell noticed Bro. Bassett at his shop window. A nod of recognition and an invitation to “Come in” was the small seed from which the flourishing tree we now know has grown. During their brief conversation they were joined by Bro. W. H. Short (all three being members of the New Concord Lodge No. 813). Naturally it was to be expected that things Masonic were being discussed, and it may be assumed that freedom of thought and speech were being indulged in by virtue of the fact that when W. Bro. Cordell remarked “Well, why not form another Lodge?” the suggestion was accepted with alacrity, and immediate action decided upon. During the following days other interested brethren were sought and the suggestion put before them. So enthusiastic were they with the proposal that a meeting was convened and held in the office of W. Bro. Alex Russell, in Great St. Helen’s, further to discuss ways and means. At this meeting the assembled brethren gave very definite expressions of their opinions that the formation of a new Lodge would afford them increased opportunities for more active and useful service to the Craft. They decided to invite the New Concord Lodge, No. 813 to sponsor it. The petition to Grand Lodge was strengthened by the association of a Grand Officer, W. Bro. P. Vernon Taylor, P.D.G.O., Eng., who later, as one of the Founders, took a keen interest in the new Lodge.
The following brethren gladly accepted the invitation to become Founder Members: W. Bro. J. Anley, 3536. P.M. 177 Bro. S.H. Bassett, 813 Bro. R.H. Batchelor, 3575. Sec. 2944 W. Bro. J.H.R. Coredell, 813 Bro. H.G. Fisher, 2697 Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood, 2242 Bro. E.A. Labrouse, 183 Bro. C.J. Looney, 813 W. Bro. A.R. Rita, 3539. W.M. 1524 Bro. H.B. Rosenthal, 1349, 3398 W. Bro. A. Russell, 3536 Bro. J.J. Selman, 3008 Bro. W.H. Short, 3119, 813 Bro. Dr. Montague-Smith, 2944 Bro. F. Stoner, 2944 W. Bro. P. Vernon Taylor, P.M., P.D.G.O. W. Bro. H. West, P.M. 813 W. Bro. T. Jetson White, P.M. 860 W. Bro. R.J. Woods, I.P.M. 2697 Bro. J.F. Yapp, 813 The petition to form the Lodge, which was to be called “The Five Orders Lodge”, was duly granted. It is interesting to recall that Sir Edward Letchworth, F.S.A., the Grand Secretary, when discussing the new Lodge with W. Bro. Cordell, asked his reason for naming it The Five Orders Lodge. He thought it to be a rather curious name – where had he got it from and what was its significance? W. Bro. Cordell pointed out that it had been chosen from the Second Tracing Board, “The Five Noble Orders of Architecture”, when Sir Edward exclaimed, “Of course, a very excellent name – a name that will add dignity to the Lodge”. The date of the Warrant is October 21, 1913.
Consecration
The following is a copy of the first page of the programme of that important ceremony:-
CONSECRATION Of THE FIVE ORDERS LODGE, No. 3696
at The Restaurant Frascati, Oxford Street, W.1
On Wednesday, November 12, 1913, at 4.30 p.m.
By The V.W. Brother Sir Edward Letchworth, F.S.A., Grand Secretary
Assisted by: W. Bro. Henry Lovegrove, P. Asst. Gd. Supt. Wks. As S.W.
W. Bro. Major C. Woolmer Williams, P. Dep. Gd. Swd. Br. As J.W.
W. Bro. The Rev. W.H. Maynard, M.A., Asst. Gd. Chap. As Chaplain
W. Bro. A.G. Neville, P. Dep. Gd. D.C. As D.C.
W. Bro. Robert J. Hatfield, P. Asst. Gd. D.C. As I.G.
W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell Master Designate
Bro. W.H. Short S.W. Designate
Bro. R.H. Batchelor J.W. Designate
The following is a copy of the last page of the Consecration Programme:
Officers
W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell W.M.
W. Bro. Alex Russell Acting I.P.M.
Bro. W.H. Short S.W.
Bro. R.H. Batchelor J.W.
W. Bro. R.J. Woods Treasurer
Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood Secretary
Bro. Dr. Montague Smith S.D.
W. Bro. T.J. White J.D.
W. Bro. J. Anley D.C.
Bro. F. Stoner A.D.C.
W. Bro. H. West Almoner
Bro. H. B. Rosenthal I.G.
W. Bro. A.R. Rita Steward
Bro. H.G. Fisher Steward
Bro. C.J. Looney Steward
W. Bro. John Spencer Tyler
This record of the Lodge’s first meeting would not be complete without some reference to the important work done by Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood during the period leading up to the Consecration; to the fact that W. Bro. P. Vernon Taylor, P.D.G.O., not only associated himself in the list of Founders, but undertook the direction of the musical arrangements at the Consecration ceremony and at the subsequent banquet, assisted by the Cathedral Glee Singers; and the speed with which the Consecration took place – only twenty-two days after the date of the Warrant. There were present, in addition to the six consecration Officers, three Grand Officers, nineteen Founders and thirty-five visitors. The latter represented twenty-five Lodges all of which are still in existence, four having celebrated their one hundredth anniversary. The Early Years The first year in the life of the Lodge was full of promise, there being one joining member and five initiates, three of whom passed through the three degrees during the year. The attendance of the members was good and there was a gratifying number of visitors. At the November 1914 meeting W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell was re-elected as Master for the ensuing year, this being the only occasion of a Master serving two years in that capacity in this Lodge. The advent of the 1914-1918 war naturally restricted the activities of the Lodge and matters were not improved by the resignation of four of the Founders and of the first joining member – announced at the November 1914 meeting.
The first Master of the Lodge, W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell, P.A.G.Std.Br.
In the first year the highest attendance, including visitors, was thirty-two but this figure was not again reached until the November 1919 meeting. In the interval the attendance figures got as low as ten. Nevertheless, there had been some growth. At the first meeting the total membership was twenty-five. By the end of the War, in 1918, it had reached thirty-two; not perhaps a spectacular progress in five years but sufficient to show that the Founders had not allowed the unfavourable circumstances to dismay them.
W. Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood, the first Secretary and the only surviving Founder.
The Second Five Years
A perusal of the records clearly indicates a determination of the brethren to improve the Lodge, having got rid of the war-time restrictions. In the five years ending September, 1923 thirty-five members were initiated and four brethren became joining members. Five emergency meetings were held. As early as April, 1919 a proposal was made that the number of regular meetings be increased from four to five a year but it was not until 1922 that this became operative. At the same time, the Installation meeting was altered from November to September. In October, 1919 the first Ladies’ evening was held and appears to have been very successful. In this connection a minute of the General Purposes Committee, dated March, 1920, dealing with the next Ladies’ evening is worthy of notice. It reads: “It was resolved that the second Ladies’ Festival, to consist of a reception, dinner, and concert, at the Holborn Restaurant be held on May 12, 1920. That the tickets be one guinea each, including wines, and the members present agreed to be responsible, pro rata, for any deficiency in the financing of the function.” November, 1919 saw approval by the Lodge of a proposal to become a Founding Lodge of the “Freemason’s Hospital and Nursing Home”, and the sum of fifteen guineas was voted from the General Fund “on account of this”. Six brethren promptly promised donations of five guineas in aid of the effort. It is not clear when the object was achieved but the September, 1925 summons was the first to bear the caption “Founding Lodge, Freemasons’ Hospital”. A matter which was to occupy the attention of the Lodge, the General Purposes Committee, and particularly W. Bro. Woods, Treasurer, for the next two years was the receipt of a letter from Grand Lodge relating to the Masonic Million Memorial Fund – a fund to finance the erection and equipment of the building in which the Lodge now meets. By April, 1022 the Treasurer had prepared a scheme enabling the Lodge to become a Hall Stone Lodge and this scheme was approved by the General Purposes Committee for submission to the Lodge at the April, 1922 regular meeting. The writer has a vivid recollection of this meeting. It happened to be the meeting at which he was initiated and it is not difficult to realize that he had not the remotest idea of what was under discussion. However, every member present had apparently given the matter much thought and the discussion went on with question and answer at such length that there appeared to be no possibility of a conclusion when it was proposed, seconded and carried that the matter be adjourned to the next meeting. An Emergency meeting was held one month later especially to deal with the matter, but on this occasion the question was adjourned for a period of six months. During the interval consultation with Grand Lodge took place on certain features and arrangements were made for a Grand Officer to address the November meeting on the subject. Finally, a ballot was taken resulting in a vote of twenty-two in favour of becoming a Hall Stone Lodge and fourteen against. This involved the Lodge in a contribution representing ten guineas from each member. Despite the fact that out of a total vote of thirty-six, fourteen voted against, it is very gratifying to record that every member completed his qualification. The November, 1922 meeting also records an important resolution, namely “That the application from the Cyclists’ Lodge of Instruction for authority from this Lodge enabling ot to carry on its meetings as the Five Orders Lodge of Instruction, be granted”. The membership had now reached sixty.
Towards the Quarter Century
The period commences with an item unique in the history of the Lodge; ten proposals were read at the September meeting, and at the following two meetings nine of the applicants were balloted for, one of the ten having died in the meantime. The year 1923/24 saw for the first time the Installation as Master of an initiate of the Lodge – Bro. R.H. Orchard. There is no evidence as to what gave rise to a discussion by the General Purposes Committee during this year as to the precedence of Officers in the Lodge but the decision reached was that this should be in accordance with the Book of Constitutions. Another decision reached by the Committee at this time was that no more than two ceremonies should be undertaken at any one meeting. Ladies’ evenings had always consisted of a banquet and concert, but at the September 1924 meeting two comparatively junior members at that time – Bros. Peterson and Mattick – proposed the evening should in future comprise a banquet, concert and dance. The proposal was eventually approved but as a concession to some of the elder brethren it was provided that a whist drive would be arranged for those not wishing to dance. This arrangement continued for some years with the card room gradually becoming less popular until it was eventually abandoned. The mention here of the Ladies’ Festival calls to mind a proposal, carried unanimously, that each gentleman attending should wear a badge. No information is available as to the kind of badge, the purpose to be served, or if the idea ever became operative. At the fifty-fifth meeting held in February, 1926 the membership reached seventy, an increase of twenty in twenty-one meetings. The Installation meeting this year was unusual in that Bro. A. Neilson, a Past Grand Steward installed as Master, was privileged to have visiting Grand Officers acting as Wardens and Inner Guard. This year also saw the of W. Bro. W.H. Parsons, Past Assistant Grand Pursuivant, as an honorary member of the Lodge in recognition of his having occupied the chair at the Lodge of Instruction for the working of fifteen Sections of the Lectures. For the next two years the Lodge pursued a course of business consisting almost entirely of the usual ceremonies except that in 1928 the contributions made by the Lodge towards the members’ donations to the Masonic Million Memorial Fund ceased. At the September, 1929 meeting amended by-laws, approved by the Grand Secretary, were received. The title page referred to them as the “By-Laws of The Five Orders Lodge No.3696 of the Antient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons”. Following this was information as to the Consecration, a list of the Founders, another list showing the first officers, and a list of honorary members. Finally, there were twenty by-laws. To-day there are twelve by-laws and the title page is not nearly so ambitious. One of the old by-laws is interesting in that it does not permit the Master, Past Masters or officers to vote in the election of three lay members to the General Purposes Committee, but they may propose candidates. At this time, the Committee adopted a suggestion that a Lodge banner be provided, members of the Lodge to be invited to contribute to the cost. A proposal to this effect was accordingly put forward by W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell and seconded by W. Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood to the November, 1929 meeting and approved at the January, 1930 meeting. W. Bro. Cordell took a very active part in securing designs, particulars of suitable materials and estimates as to cost. So much importance was attached to the project and the desire to secure a banner of which the Lodge could justly be proud that it was not until January, 1932 that the completed banner was available and was dedicated by Canon J.C. Morris, Past Grand Chaplain and later Provincial Grand Master for Surrey. Unfortunately, W. Bro Cordell, who had done so much work leading to the dedication, was too ill to be present. At the January, 1930 meeting another noteworthy resolution was passed; that the Lodge should become a Patron Lodge of the Royal Masonic Hospital by donating one hundred guineas. The Lodge qualified as a Patron Lodge on July 6, 1932. At the January, 1931 meeting it was proposed that the Lodge should form its own Charities Association. This aroused considerable opposition from two Founders of The Five Orders Lodge who were Secretary and Treasurer of the St. Michael–Le–Querne Charities Association, which the Lodge had used hitherto. After being referred to the General Purposes Committee the proposal was brought forward again at the April meeting, when further opposition was met with, including a proposal to defer decision for 12 months. Tiring of the delay a W. Bro. Moved that “the proposition be now put to the vote” and it was duly carried. Apart from what has already been recorded the work of the Lodge consisted almost entirely of the normal business of the ceremonial work associated with the Craft until the November, 1934 meeting, except that in 1933 a proposition was put forward that meetings should be held on Saturdays instead of Wednesdays. The suggestion was not popular and was withdrawn at the next meeting. Subsequently war conditions moved us to Saturday meetings, an arrangement which has continued to the present time. The November, 1934 meeting celebrated the Lodge’s twenty-first birthday. About one hundred brethren were present, almost half members and half visitors, the latter including Sir Sydney White, K.C.V.O., at that time Assistant Grand Secretary, and later Grand Secretary. The Lodge having been opened and the minutes read, the Worshipful Master had the regrettable duty of announcing the death of W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell, Past Assistant Grand Standard Bearer, A Founder, Past Master and Secretary of the Lodge, which took place on November 12, 1934, which by date, was the actual twenty-first anniversary of the Consecration. The Master made touching reference to the loss to the Lodge by the death of W. Bro. Cordell and to the outstanding service he had rendered throughout the whole period of the Lodge’s existence. He then called upon W. Bro. Dr. Montague Smith to address the brethren, who did so with characteristic feeling and affection. The normal business of the Lodge was then resumed, after which the proceedings took place in a happier and more reminiscent atmosphere. Six Founders were still on the membership list and of these five were present and the W.M., W. Bro. W.H. Peterson, invited them to occupy their original offices, then vacating the chair in favour of W. Bro. Russell, the acting Immediate Past Master at the Consecration. Each addressed the brethren in reminiscent terms and W. Bro. Russell called on W. Bro. F.A. Greenwood, the first Secretary, to read the minutes of the first meeting. Having done so, W. Bro. Greenwood announced that he did not propose to submit them for approval! A report of the proceedings was published in the December issue of “The Freemason”. The one hundredth meeting passed without celebration. From discussions between the Master (W. Bro. W.H. Peterson) and the Immediate Past Master (W. Bro. F.A. Chopping) the idea grew of presenting copies of the Oxford Bible for Masons to Initiates, and at the April, 1935 meeting the first of such presentations was made, and a notice of motion given that in celebration of the twenty-first anniversary a copy of the volume be presented to each member.
The Second Quarter Century
In late 1938 and early 1939 much thought was given to the rules governing the Benevolent Fund. It was felt necessary to make provision for avoiding delay in dealing with cases of urgent need. Amendments to this end were adopted and the rules altered accordingly. At the same time it was also agreed, on the suggestion of W. Bro. W.H. Peterson, that any Benevolent Fund recommendation should in future be provided for on the Summons in general rather than specific terms, to avoid undue publicity which might be hurtful to the intended recipient. He added “it is desirable not only to give quickly but quietly as well”. On the outbreak of war in 1939 Grand Lodge ordered a suspension of Lodge meetings and the usual September meeting, at which W. Bro. C.J. Sadler would have been installed as Master, was not held. The suspension was countermanded later and this brought about a considerable volume of work for the Executive Officers. It was the predominant wish of the members that meetings should continue but the war conditions made it desirable for dispersal to be earlier than had hitherto been the case. Up to this time meetings had been held on Wednesday evenings at the Holborn Restaurant. To permit of earlier commencement and dispersal it was now agreed to meet on Saturday afternoon but the Holborn Restaurant could not offer Saturday accommodation. Fortunately, satisfactory accommodation was found at the Manchester Hotel, E.C.1, and the Installation meeting was eventually held on December 2, 1939. At this meeting it was agreed that the circumstances arising out of the war conditions made it desirable to consider some modification in the scale of subscriptions and the decision reached was an annual subscription sufficient to cover the standing expenses of the Lodge with a supplementary charge for dining as and when incurred. In January, 1940 the Secretary was able to advise members by post that meetings had been arranged at the Manchester Hotel until the end of the 1939-1940 session. This letter also contained two appeals. The first stressed the need for the Lodge to continue with greater effort their support of outside charities such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and other funds for seamen. The second appeal was that the Almoner should be informed of any brother who might be in distress because of the war and who might be “too diffident to reveal his position”. The need for advising the Brethren where and on what dates meetings would be held continued throughout the war years. Needless to say, Ladies’ Festivals were out of the question but it was agreed, without discussion, that the practice of the members making a presentation to the Master’s Lady should not be abandoned. Until it was possible to resume Ladies’ evenings these presentations usually took place after dinner following a Lodge meeting. In May, 1940 it was decided to revert to Wednesday meetings, still at the Manchester Hotel, and the first Wednesday meeting took place in October, 1940. However, only one more meeting was destined to be held there. Thirty-six hours before the January, 1941 meeting the Manchester Hotel was completely destroyed by enemy action. Efforts were made immediately to obtain other accommodation and in February, 1941 the postponed meeting was held at Freemasons’ Hall. This was the only meeting in the history of the Lodge at which no visiting brethren were present. From then for a period of more than three years the arrangements with Freemasons’ Hall were on a temporary basis, meetings being arranged one by one, but from late 1944 Freemasons’ Hall became the permanent meeting place of the Lodge. In March, 1942 consideration was given to the position of members on Active Service in so far as Lodge dues were concerned, and steps were taken to safeguard their interests. At the end of hostilities the need for special war-time arrangements gradually disappeared. Bro. Rigby Fisher, who had always been helpful in connection with certain Lodge requirements, had obtained a supply of Bibles for Masonic use, which had for some time been unobtainable, thus enabling arrears to be cleared. He also presented a supply of Hymn books to the Lodge. The normal rate of annual subscription was resumed. It was not, however, until March, 1950 that the Lodge Banner, which had been stored in Freemasons’ Hall for safe keeping, again became available. At the April, 1946 meeting the Secretary reported that at the request of the Master and certain other brethren he had written to the Grand Secretary offering a welcome to visiting overseas brethren wishing to attend a London Lodge. During the next five years there were few meetings at which advantage was not taken of this offer. In fact, the average attendance of such visitors was rather more than one per meeting, and at the present time we occasionally receive a Brother from overseas. The overseas Brethren, invariably excellent after-dinner speakers, and coming from widely scattered parts of the Commonwealth, have entertained our members with interesting accounts of proceedings in their own Lodges and of the extraordinary journeys some of them make to attend their meetings. W. Bro. Dr. Montague Smith – a Founder of the Lodge – was invited at the May, 1946 meeting to initiate Bro. F.J. Chopping, the son of a Past Master, W. Bro. F.A. Chopping. It later transpired that this candidate was the one hundredth Brother Dr. Montague Smith had initiated into Freemasonry, a remarkable record. In the same year the Lodge was honoured by the presence at one meeting of the Assistant Grand Master, R. W. Bro. W.H.P. Darell. Membership had tended to fall for some years, but by November, 1947 the number had recovered to eighty, a figure which had been reached eighteen years earlier. A report of the Board of General Purposes was submitted by its President to Grand Lodge at this time, expressing the view that in the interests of history some permanent record should be made of the effects of the impact of war upon Freemasonry. The Board therefore required each Lodge to collect information and prepare a report for incorporation in the minute book of the Lodge – a copy being sent to the Grand Secretary for preservation in the records of Grand Lodge. Amongst other items the report was to include the names of Brethren who took part in any form of National Service at home or abroad. Information as to the activities of the Lodge is already recorded herein and the following is the record of National Service rendered by its members.
Royal Navy
Bros. R.A.R. Wells, F.R. Hall, S. McVeigh, D.S.M., and W. Williamson.
Army
W. Bro. C.H. Voak.
Royal Air Force
Bros.A. Hudson and R.W. Lewin.
Home Guard
W. Bros. D. Hall, W.H. Peterson and C.J. Sadler; Bros. A.M.A. Smith, A.R. Camidge, W.J. Baker and J.H. Brigden.
Auxiliary Fire Service
W. Bros. J.S. Brotchie and J.H. Manning; Bro. F.C. Freeman (Chief Fire Prevention Officer, City of London).
St. John’s Ambulance
Bro. J.H. Driscoll.
Special Constabulary W. Bro. A. Sellors.
Metropolitan Police War Reserve
W. Bro. A. Shipley.
Civil Defence
W. Bros. E.E. Harsant and B.F. Rickwood.
The very comprehensive report was compiled by the Secretary, W. Bro. W.H. Peterson. In 1949 the Secretary called the attention of the General Purposes Committee to the fact that the Summons issued by the Lodge, containing as it did a full list of members, Officers and Past Masters had, with the growth of the Lodge over the years, become overburdened with detail. It was suggested that future Summonses be issued in the simplest form and the list of members circulated in the form of a yearly booklet. The alteration took effect from the 1950-1951 session and, in addition to the full list of members, the booklet contains a brief article of interest to Freemasons, a review of the previous year’s work, and other information concerning the Lodge. For the next few years the Lodge pursued its main function of Installation, Initiation, Passing and Raising with very little other business requiring attention. The year 1951 saw the first appointment to Grand Rank of an Initiate of the Lodge in the person of W. Bro. C.F. Day who was honoured with the rank of Past Assistant Grand Standard Bearer. It is interesting to note how few and far between such honours are when it is realized that since W. Bro. Day joined the Lodge there have been over one hundred and fifty Initiations, but no further Grand Honour. In the same year a suggestion was put forward that a Trust Deed be entered into to regularize the custody of the Benevolent Fund, but after consideration this was not considered desirable on the ground that it would impose too rigid a control. The same proposal came up again in 1962, was approved and put into effect. In 1952 the membership reached ninety, and in the following year a proposal to increase the Initiation fee to twenty-five guineas was defeated, only to be revived and approved a year later. The last of the Founders to remain on the list of subscribing members – W. Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood – and now the only remaining Founder, was elected to Honorary Membership in 1955. It was about this time that Bro. W.E. Brigden had the misfortune to lose his eyesight but he did not allow this to deter him from regular attendance. In 1955 his brother – W. Bro. J.H. Brigden – who was at that time Master of the Lodge, was able to present him in the Lodge a volume of the Ritual, in Braille, given by the National Institute for the Blind and the Publishers, and eighteen months later Bro. W.E. Brigden received a similar volume of the Lectures. This was given by St. Dunstan’s. Within a comparatively short time he had mastered the problem of reading Braille and had given an excellent explanation of the Second Tracing Board.
Executive Officers
Reading through fifty years of Lodge minutes reveals a variety of interesting features, but what the minutes show most clearly is how fortunate the Lodge has been in its Executive Officers. While space precludes little more than the bare details given on the next page some exceptions must be made. The first is W. Bro. W.H. Peterson, who was Secretary for twenty-five years. On his relinquishing the office in September, 1962 the Lodge marked this memorable occasion at the Festive Board by presenting W. Bro. Peterson with a tape recorder on which had been recorded messages of affection from the Lodge, the first by the most senior Member and the other by the latest Initiate. Two Almoners have served for twenty years. The first, W. Bro. H. West, from the Consecration of the Lodge until his death in 1933. The second is Bro. E.A. Westley, who, after being Secretary for three years, from 1934 to 1937, was Almoner from 1937 to 1057. As mentioned elsewhere, Bro. Westley was also Secretary of the Lodge of Instruction for twenty-eight years. He was elected an Honorary Member in 1958.
Treasurers
W. Bro. R.J. Woods, L.R. Founder. From Consecration until his death in March, 1932. W. Bro. H.S. O’Keefe, L.G.R. 1932 until his death in 1945 W. Bro. E.E. Harsant 1945 until his death in 1947 W, Bro. C.T. Day, L.G.R. 1947 to 1959 W. Bro. R.A.R. Wells 1959 to date.
Secretaries
W. Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood. Founder. 1913 to 1914. Relinquished office to become Junior Warden. W. Bro. A. Russell, P.A.G.St.Br. 1914 to 1919 W. Bro. R.H. Batchelor, L.G.R. 1919 to 1923 W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell, P.A.G.St.Br., L.R. Bro. E.A. Westley 1934 to 1937. W. Bro. W.H. Peterson, L.G.R. 1937 to 1962 W. Bro. F.C. Freeman 1962 to date
Directors of Ceremonies
W. Bro. J. Anley, L.R. Founder 1913 to 1922 W. Bro. Dr. Montague Smith, P.A.G.D.C., 1922 to 1936 L.G.R., Founder W. Bro. F. Mills, L.G.R. 1936 to 1941 W. Bro Dr. Montague Smith 1941 to 1944 W. Bro. A. Sellors, L.G.R. 1944 until his death in September, 1949 W. Bro. J.H. Manning, L.G.R. 1949 to 1950 W. Bro. C.J. Sadler, L.G.R. 1950 to 1952 (Relinquished owing to ill health). w. Bro. J.H. Manning, L.G.R. 1952 to date
Almoners
W. Bro. H. West, L.R. Founder. 1913 until his death in December,1933 W. Bro. A.H. Cordell December 1933 to 1934 Bro. E.A. Westley 1937 to 1957 W. Bro. F.C. Freeman 1957 until appointment as Secretary, 1962 W. Bro. F.C. Richardson 1962 to date.
Past Masters of the Lodge
W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell, P.A.G.St.Br., L.R. 1913-15 W. Bro. F. Arnold Greenwood 1915-16 W. Bro. R.H. Batchelor, L.G.R. 1916-17 W. Bro. Dr. Montague Smith, P.A.G.D.C., L.G.R. 1917-18 W. Bro. H.B. Rosenthal 1918-19 W. Bro. A.R. Rita, L.R. 1919-20 W. Bro. J.F. Yapp 1920-21 W. Bro. H.G. Fisher, P.G.St.Br., L.G.R. 1921-22 W. Bro. A. Marshall, L.R. 1922-23 W. Bro. R.H. Orchard, L.G.R. 1923-24 W. Bro. J.F. Goodey 1924-25 W. Bro. A.H. Cordell 1925-26 W. Bro. A. Neilson, P.G.Std. 1926-27 W. Bro. A.E. Hurworth 1927-28 W. Bro. C.F. Day, P.A.G.St.Br., L.G.R. 1928-29 W. Bro. H.S. O’Keefe, L.G.R. 1929-30 W. Bro. F. Mills, L.G.R. 1930-31 W. Bro. D.V. Hoddy 1931-32 W. Bro. J.A. Hunt 1932-33 W. Bro. F.A. Chopping, L.G.R. 1933-34 W. Bro. W.H. Peterson, L.G.R. 1934-35 W. Bro. A. Sellors, L.G.R. 1935-36 W. Bro. J.S. Brotchie, L.G.R. 1936-37 W. Bro. E. Harrison 1937-38 W. Bro. R. Lewin 1938-39 W. Bro. C.J. Sadler, L.G.R. 1939-40 W. Bro. J. H. Hammond 1940-41 W. Bro. B.F. Rickwood 1941-42 W. Bro. E.E. Harsant 1942-43 W. Bro. C.T. Day, L.G.R. 1943-44 W. Bro. J.H. Manning, L.G.R. 1944-45 W. Bro. D. Hall, L.G.R. 1945-46 W. Bro. C.H. Voak, L.G.R. 1946-47 W. Bro. G.F. Furlong, L.G.R. 1947-48 W. Bro. C.L. Mumford, L.G.R. 1948-49 W. Bro. T.E. Watson 1949-50 W. Bro. A.S. Hunt, L.G.R. 1950-51 W. Bro. A.M.A. Smith 1951-52 W. Bro. R.A.R. Wells 1952-53 W. Bro. C.E. Carter 1953-54 W. Bro. R.W. Lewin 1954-55 W. Bro. J.H. Brigden 1955-56 W. Bro. F.C. Freeman 1956-57 W. Bro. J.H. Driscoll 1957-58 W. Bro. E. Money 1958-59 W. Bro. F.C. Richardson 1959-60 W. Bro. J. Lucas 1960-61 W. Bro. E.T. Bates 1961-62 W. Bro. W.T.C. Hammond 1962-63 F = Founder D = Deceased R = Resigned
Present Members
In addition to the twenty Founders already mentioned the number of Initiates to date is 183, joining members numbering 20. Following is the list of present day members, with date of initiation or joining.
F. Arnold Greenwood Founder J.A. Hunt 26.11.19 J.S. Brotchie 01.06.21 D. Hall 26.04.22 W.H. Peterson 22.11.22 T.W.P. Smith 28.01.25 J.J. Pratt 24.02.26 J. Hammond 24.11.26 E.A. Westley 31.08.27 C.T. Day 23.11.27 J.H. Manning 22.02.28 G.F. Furlong 26.02.30 W.R. Foster 28.01.31 C.E. Pascoe 28.11.34 C.L. Mumford 22.01.36 A.M.A. Smith 27.01.37 R.A.R. Wells 26.01.38 C.E. Carter 23.11.38 R.W. Lewin 22.02.39 F.R. Hall 13.04.40 A.S. Hunt 06.11.40 D. Cox 09.01.43 F.C. Freeman 06.11.43 J.H. Driscoll 20.05.44 E. Money 04.11.44 L.C. Collins 16.06.45 S. McVeigh 16.06.45 W. Williamson 16.06.45 F.C. Richardson 03.11.45 T.M. Pratt 12.01.46 F.J. Chopping 18.05.46 J. Lucas 02.11.46 C.E. Simpkins 11.01.47 E.T. Bates 11.01.47 F.W. Killingback 29.03.47 W.T.C. Hammond 29.03.47 H. Silverstone 17.05.47 J.W. Leslie 13.09.47 L.A. Milligan 01.11.47 R.W.T. Pratt 10.01.48 A.F. Baird 03.04.48 F.G. Cannon 22.05.48 E.F. Langer 06.11.48 W.G. Salmons 05.11.49 W.W. Mumford 14.01.50 E.J. Tilbury 14.01.50 F.G. Gibbins 04.03.50 J.T. Philp 06.05.50 S.H. Fryer 04.11.50 J. Benn 13.01.51 L.J. Perry 13.01.51 A.T. Airs 03.03.51 H.J. McFarlane 03.03.51 G.E. Vaus 05.05.51 W.E. Brigden 05.05.51 L. Martin 05.05.51 A.W. Geeson 03.11.51 A.W. Linton 01.03.52 J.G. Rowlands 13.09.52 S. Drake 01.11.52 R. Hennessey 10.01.53 R.C. Draper 10.01.53 R.A. Phelps 02.05.53 W. Stoner 06.03.54 B. Mack 01.05.54 G.H. Phelps 01.05.54 J.T. Clark 06.11.54 C.A.A. Wild 06.11.54 R.G. Chatwin 08.01.55 D.W. Martin 08.01.55 G.H. Cox 07.05.55 G.A. Draper 05.11.55 D.W. Foster 14.01.56 E.W. Stockbridge 14.01.56 A.W. Shaw 03.05.56 W.A. Mandy 03.05.56 A.V.F. Doughty 02.03.57 A. Newton 02.11.57 T. G. Gardner 01.03.58 R.C. Colvill 03.05.58 S. Robinson 01.11.58 F. Johnson 10.01.59 J.J. Chalkwright 02.05.59 J.G. Rowlands 02.05.59 R.C. Rayner 07.11.59 W. Jackson 09.01.60 T.C. Hempstead 09.01.60 F.J. Hopkinson 07.05.60 E.T. Jones 05.11.60 H. Kanolty 14.01.61 P.R. Graves 14.01.61 L.D. Sorrell 04.03.61 G.W. Linehan 13.01.62 D.G. Cannon 05.05.62 J.B. Jackson 03.11.62 W. Andrews 12.01.63 J.A. Ivins 02.03.63
There is always a sense of added pleasure in the Lodge when a Brother introduces a son, brother, or as we have had, a son introducing a father. From the Consecration to date the membership has included fifty blood brothers and fourteen brothers-in-law and it is perhaps not out of place to mention twenty namesakes not related. A further cause of pleasure among the Brethren arises out of the honours conferred by the Most Worshipful the Grand Master as indicated hereunder:-
Grand Rank
W. Bro. Dr. Montague Smith, P.A.G.D.C. W. Bro. H.G. Fisher, P.G.St.Br. W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell, P.A.G.St.Br. W. Bro. A. Russell, P.A.G.St.Br. W. Bro. C.F. Day, P.A.G.St.Br.
London Rank (now London Grand Rank)
W. Bros.: J.H.R. Cordell R.J. Woods A. Russell H. West Dr. Montague Smith R.H. Batchelor H.G. Fisher A. Rita C.F. Day J. Anley A. Marshall H.S. O’Keefe W.H. Peterson F.A. Chopping A. Sellors F. Mills C.T. Day C.J. Sadler C.H. Voak D. Hall C.L. Mumford R.H. Orchard J.S. Brotchie J.H. Manning G.F. Furlong A.S. Hunt
Provincial Grand Officer
W. Bros. H.G. Fisher, P.A.G.D.C. (Essex) R.H. Orchard, P.S.G.D. (Herts.)
The Lodge of Instruction
No history of the Five Orders Lodge would be complete without some reference to the Lodge of Instruction. On the summons of the second Regular Meeting of the Lodge, held on February 25, 1914, the Brethren were invited to attend the New Concord Lodge of Instruction, held at the Farleigh Hotel, Amhurst Road, Hackney. A few years later, the members associated themselves with the Cyclists’ Lodge of Instruction, meeting at the “Three Crowns”. Stoke Newington. In 1922, an application from the Cyclists’ Lodge of Instruction for authority from this Lodge enabling it to carry on its meetings as The Five Orders Lodge of Instruction was granted and the first meeting under the new title was held at the “Three Crowns” on January 3, 1923. Preceptors W. Bro. R.J. Woods, P.Z., L.G.R. W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell, P.A.G.St.Br., L.R. W. Bro. H.S. O’Keefe, L.G.R. W. Bro. F.A. Chopping, L.G.R. W. Bro. E.E. Harsant W. Bro. J.H. Manning, L.G.R. Secretaries W. Bro. J.H.R. Cordell, P.A.G.St.Br. 1923 to 1928 Bro. E.A. Westley 1928 to 1956 W. Bro. C.H. Voak, L.G.R. 1956 to 1963 W. Bro. F.G. Richardson 1963 to date
The Lodge of Instruction had several homes before settling at the Manchester Hotel in 1936, but with the destruction of this Hotel in 1940 it lost all its furniture. After a year in temporary accommodation, W. Bro. J.H. Manning found a suitable permanent meeting place at the “King’s Arms”, St. Botolph’s Churchyard, Bishopsgate. And it is here that the Lodge continues to meet under W. Bro. Manning’s preceptorship. The furnishings were soon replaced, principally by gifts. The Lodge of Instruction Hospital Collecting Box has raised nearly £400 for the Royal Masonic Hospital. Finally reference must be made to the outstanding service given to the Lodge of Instruction by Bro. E.A. Westley. He was Secretary for twenty-eight years from 1928 until he resigned in 1956. At eighty-four years of age Bro. Westley still regularly attends the Lodge of Instruction and he recently made the gift of a set of collars as a tribute to the memory of his late wife.
The Five Orders Chapter
On the Summons of the Lodge Meeting held on February 23, 1916, there appeared a notice of motion “That the consent of the Lodge be given to the petition for the formation of a Royal Arch Chapter attached to the Lodge and named “The Five Orders Chapter”. The minutes briefly record that the proposal was carried unanimously. The Consecration took place at the Holborn Restaurant on June 14, 1916. Of the present membership of the Chapter twenty-three are members of the Five Orders Lodge, and of these nine are Past First Principals.
Further Points of Interest
During the fifty years from Consecration to its fiftieth anniversary the Lodge has consistently contributed to the several Masonic Charitable Organizations, the total payments to date being very little short of £8000. In addition, a number of non-masonic charities have benefited by periodic financial assistance. We have always been honoured by the attendance of a gratifying number of visitors and, as mentioned earlier herein, there has been only one regular meeting at which no visitors attended. Guests are frequently heard to comment favourably on the personal welcome received immediately on arrival, often from brethren they have not previously met, and it can unhesitatingly be said that the Lodge has a high reputation for the friendly atmosphere which prevails. Moreover, it has an equally high reputation for the dignity and efficiency with which its work is conducted, due to the zeal and assiduity of the members down to the latest initiate. In fact, a Master remarked on one occasion that he had no anxieties about the temporary absence of Officers, all offices could be filled efficiently at short notice by members not in office. An example of this occurred as long ago as 1930 when illness amongst members was unusually high and no less than five brethren in office were absent on one day. Nevertheless, the vacancies were filled without difficulty and the business of the Lodge proceeded without incident. Another pleasing feature is the number and variety of presentations made to the Lodge by its members. It is not desired to record these but an Alms Dish presented by a visiting brother is of particular interest. It is of oak used in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, in the fifteenth century and is a beautiful example of the Woodcarvers’ craftsmanship carried out by W. Bro. Ferguson, L.G.R., who presented it.
In conclusion, we hope that in the year 2013 the Lodge will be celebrating its centenary and that brother will find what is contained herein helpful in the compilation of a history of the first one hundred years.
