Taurus Lodge

W Bro Andrew Kemp-Perchard LGR, SLGCR 

A special meeting  for the Banner re-dedication of the Knightsbridge Reserve Forces Lodge No 2978 (and a Second Degree Passing) was held at Freemasons’ Hall, just over a year ago on Monday 27th November 2023.

The guest of Honour was VW Bro Julian Soper PGSwdB, Assistant Metropolitan Grand Master. He was  accompanied by W Bro Matthew Christmas AGDC, Metropolitan Grand Secretary, an Honorary member of Knightsbridge Reserve Forces Lodge. Also present was W Bro Lt Col (Retd) Canon John Morrison LGR, Metropolitan Assistant Grand Chaplain, with other members from Metropolitan Grand Lodge, along with members from Moria Lodge No 92. Alongside them, of course, were the Officers and Members of Knightsbridge Reserve Forces Lodge. 

The banner was re-dedicated by VW Bro Soper, after which the Banner was paraded around the lodge room three times. The Metropolitan Assistant Grand Chaplain then gave the oration of the Lodge Banner.

After the Dedication ceremony, the Members of Knightsbridge Reserve Forces Lodge performed a second degree ceremony for Moriah Lodge No 92, and at the end of the meeting the Members and visitors enjoyed an excellent festive board at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms.  

But how have we reached this new chapter in the Lodge’s history after 120 years?

Knightsbridge Lodge No 2978   

Knightsbridge lodge No 2978, as it was then named, was consecrated on Tuesday 19th September 1903 at the Alexandra Hotel, Hyde Park Corner, London. The consecrating Master was VW Bro Sir Edward Letchworth FSA, Grand Secretary.

At this time, Knightsbridge was the only Lodge in this part of London, and the membership was open to men who lived or worked in the Knightsbridge area only. The founder members of the Lodge mainly came from the retail trade, including luminaries like Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. In 1935, the Lodge moved to Freemasons Hall; and over recent years it endured a decreasing membership and had struggled to find new Candidates,

Despite being set up to attract men who lived and worked in Knightsbridge, the Lodge had not met in Knightsbridge for almost 90 years, and most of its members did not live in London, let alone work in the City – a common challenge for evolving Lodges. A new direction was needed to ensure its survival.

A new beginning and a name change

In September 2021, I became the first Membership Officer of Knightsbridge Lodge and I wanted to see if I could find a new direction to move it forward, I have also been the Lodge historian for many years and I wanted to see if any of the Lodge’s illustrious history could help its future.

On 20th October 2021, the United Grand Lodge of England signed the Armed Forces Covenant to support members of our Forces. The signing of the partnership took place during a ceremony at Freemasons Hall, led by His Royal Highness, The Duke of Kent. The signing of the covenant was held in the Masonic Peace memorial and signed by  HRH The Duke of Kent and Major General Simon Graham, Director, Reserves Army.

 During the ceremony, The Duke of Kent said, “It is my great pleasure to sign the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of the United Grand Lodge of England. We are proud of our long-standing relationship with the Armed Forces and we will continue to promote their welfare, support, and respect amongst all our members.”

 As Knightsbridge Lodge has current members who are ex-military and from the Reserve Forces, and also past Brethren with military histories, the Lodge considered how they could support and incorporate the ideals of the Covenant into the Lodge.  

It was decided by the members that a request to Grand Lodge would be made to change the Lodge’s name to Knightsbridge Reserve Forces Lodge No 2978 and offer a permanent Masonic home in London and the South to current and ex members of the Military/Reserve forces and Blue light services. Subsequently on 8th March 2023, the new name was granted.

Lodge past history and the way forward.

As the Lodge Historian, I spoke to the Secretary, W Bro Gary Tomlin SLGR, to see if I could look through the old minute books and inspect any Artifacts that the Lodge might have. It was this information that also helped me to move the Lodge in its new direction. Some of the history I have included here. There is too much information for this article, but there are two past members who I feel should be mentioned, and I hope you will find their stories interesting.  

My story starts on finding an unusual card, the like of which I had never seen before, in a small brown apron case; along with a Master Masons’ apron and a Grand Lodge Certificate. The Apron case bore the name “Bro George Penny KNIGHTSBRIDGE LODGE No 2978". The card was issued to Freemasons in the Services by Grand Lodge, and reads, “Knightsbridge Lodge No 2978, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of England and with the approval of the MW Grand Master has issued this card to Bro G Penny, a member thereof, whose signature is appended. The above named Lodge presents and vouches for the Brother to whom this card is issued as a worthy Master Mason, and so commends him for brotherly care and lawful aid to any Mason who may find him in distress or need incident to his service as a British sailor (soldier) – with the assurance that any courtesies so extended will be deeply appreciated and reciprocated should the occasion arise.” The card is also signed by the Master and Secretary of the Lodge. The bottom of the card reads, “This Card is not available for use within the United Kingdom and MUST BE RETURNED to the secretary of the Lodge as soon as possible after Peace has been declared. PTO”  On the reverse of the card are the same words in French, German, Italian and Arabic.

As I had not seen this card before, I decided to investigate further and went to the library and museum at Great Queen Street for help and information. I found out that these cards were indeed given out to Freemasons on active duty abroad, as it was hoped that the First World War would be a gentleman's war like the Boer War. It was hoped that if the British Serviceman was captured by the enemy and that they were a Freemason, then the Card would help the captured serviceman to receive more favorable treatment. It seems that not many of these cards have survived, as they should have been returned to the Lodge Secretary after the War to be destroyed.

Bro George Penny 

Bro George Penny was initiated on 10th October 1907. He was aged 31 and a wine steward working at The Hyde Park Hotel in London. He was passed to the Second Degree on 12th December 1907 and raised to the 3rd Degree on the 13th February 1908. According to the signature book of Knightsbridge Lodge, he attended every meeting until the beginning of the war and reached the office of Steward. He last attended the Lodge on 16th April 1914. The entry on the signature book is quite poignant, as this is the last time Bro George Penny attended the Lodge before Britain declared war on Germany on 4th August, when Germany had entered Belgium.

When the Lodge next met on 10th October 1914, a letter of apology was read from Bro Penny, stating that he could not attend as he was now serving with the Armed Service Corps. The only information I have managed to find out about Bro Penny is that as a Private he went on to join the EFC (Expeditionary Force Canteens), which I have been informed was the prelude to what we now know as the NAAFI. His duties included carrying food supplies to the troops on the front line.

Sadly, he was badly wounded whilst serving at Salonika in Greece and was taken to the Greek General Hospital. He subsequently died on 30th January 1919; his death is recorded as ''died from fever''.

On 13th February 1919, the Lodge was informed that Bro George Penny had died in Salonika whilst serving in his Majesty's Forces and the Brethren stood to order whilst the death march was played in his memory. Condolences were sent to  his widow. Bro Penny is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece.

Bro Albert Levy

 Bro Albert Levy was in initiated into Knightsbridge Lodge on 11th October 1906 aged 23; and was a clerk by trade. He was passed on 13th December 1906 and raised on 14th January 1907.

He informed the Lodge on 11th February 1915 that he had joined the 4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. That year on 14th October, he was appointed Senior Deacon of the Lodge. On 9th December 1915, he sent his apologies from the battlegrounds of France saying he was unable to attend the Lodge meeting.

Although he was on still on active service, he did however attend the next meeting on 10th February 1916 whilst on leave. On 12th October 1916, he was appointed Junior Warden, but was unable to be invested as he was still fighting in France. On 8th February 1917, he wrote to the Lodge saying that he had been given a Field Commission and was now a Second Lieutenant. On the 11th October 1917, he was invested as Senior Warden – again he attended the meeting whilst on leave.

The last poignant entry in the Lodge’s signature book for Bro Levy was on 11th April 1918. At this meeting, he was elected Worshipful Master for the coming year. Unfortunately, this was to be his last meeting before he died.

On 12th December 1918, the Lodge Secretary announced to the Brethren that Bro Levy had been seriously wounded in France and had been transferred to Camberwell Hospital in London. On 18th June 1919, the Secretary bore the unfortunate news to the Brethren that on the 12th June Bro Albert Levy had died from his injuries. It was a sad loss to the Lodge as Bro Levy had been a keen and enthusiastic Mason and endeared himself to all.

As a mark of respect, the death march was duly played and sympathies conveyed to his family. Several Brethren attended his funeral. Bro Levy is buried at Willesden Jewish Cemetery in London.  

Bro George Penny and Bro Albert Levy’s names are listed on the Masonic Peace Memorial honour scroll, along with the other Brethren who gave their lives fighting for their King and Country during the First World War. My understanding is that there are 3,078 names on the scroll in all.

The Knightsbridge Reserve Forces Lodge is also a Hallstone Lodge, of which it is most proud.   

In writing this article, it is my hope that it will help other Lodges that are suffering a decreasing membership to look at other ways of regenerating and moving their Lodge in a new direction.

Looking into a Lodge’s past history may help its future – you never know what or who you might find.

For more information on the Lodge and its History, along with contact information, please find the Lodge’s website at https://knightsbridge-reserve-forces-lodge-2978.co.uk/

This article is part of the Arena Magazine, Issue 56 Winter 2024 edition.
Arena Magazine is the official magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in the Arena Issue 56 here.