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HISTORY OF THE LODGE OF HOPE NO 2153
125th ANNIVERSARY - 1886-2011
The original “History of the Lodge of Hope” was compiled by various members of the Lodge
Committee for its 50th Anniversary in 1936; it was updated for the Centenary in 1986 by W.
Bro. A. H. C. (Robbie) Roberts PPSGD, who at the Lodge Centenary Celebrations, gave a
précis of the lodge history. He commenced by saying that it would be interesting to have a
look at some of the events which occurred in 1886, the year that Lodge of Hope was born.
During that year the first London Tube was constructed; Daimler-Benz produced the first
four wheel car, a converted horse carriage; the gentleman’s necktie was first introduced – a
nine-day wonder said some fashion experts. A Polish refugee named Marks opened his first
Penny Bazaar, Coca-Cola originally sold as a cure for most ills, and America unveiled the
Statue of Liberty and the striking of a special Masonic Jewel commemorating Queen
Victoria's Jubilee at a cost of £1 in silver and £7 in 18-carat gold.
.
FOREWORD
I feel privileged and honoured to be invited to write this foreword to the updated history of
this my Mother Lodge, spanning the last twenty-five years. During my (to date) fifty-one
years membership I have seen many changes, but it’s only fair to say that those changes have
been almost imperceptible, being in the form of gradual evolution and development rather
than individual momentous events.
However, having said that, three which immediately come to mind and which have occurred
in the last quarter of a century, are arguably among the most significant to have taken place
in the history of Freemasonry as we know it today. I refer of course to the removal of the
physical penalties from our Obligations just after our centenary celebrations in 1986, and the
decision in 2004 to acknowledge once again the Royal Arch as a separate degree and not
merely as the “completion” of Craft masonry. Also and most recently the launch of the
“Freemasonry in the Community” initiative, incorporating the promotion of increased
“openness” in our dealings with the world at large – something which would have been
unthinkable mere twenty-five years ago.
I’m pleased to say that the Lodge of Hope has embraced all such changes while still
maintaining and upholding the traditions and high standards set by our predecessors. No
doubt, there will be more ground-breaking changes in the future, but I am confident that the
Craft in general and the Lodge of Hope, in particular, has the will and ability to adapt to the
ever-changing society in which we live.
We are heirs to a long and proud tradition; I am sure that it will continue long into the future
and that tomorrow’s members of the Lodge of Hope will play their part in maintaining the
ideals and principles of our ancient and honourable institution.
Derek L Haddow PAGDC
Worshipful Master 1974-75.
THE LODGE OF HOPE No 2153 EC 1886 – 2011
An abstract of the proceedings leading to the formation of the Lodge of Hope No 2153 at
Gosport in 1886.
For some years previous to 1886, members of the Gosport Lodge No. 903 had frequently
discussed the expediency of establishing a Masonic Lodge for the convenience of the resident
brethren who were serving or retired on pension from HM Naval or Military Services.
Accordingly, on Monday, 1 March 1886 a meeting convened at the Railway Hotel Forton,
Gosport.
Members present included:
W. Bro J. Wilson PPGSwdB
W. Bro G. Lancaster PPJGD
W. Bro R. Downing PPGStwd
W. Bro. F. Powell PAGPurs
W. Bro. W. Green PM(IC)
Bro. H. Crisp MM
Bro. T. Stretton MM
Bro. T. Pearson MM
Bro. W. Pawsey MM
Bro. J. Williams MM
Bro. R. King MM
Bro. J. Beams MM
Bro. T. Nicholls MM
Bro. T. Adams MM
Bro. W. Cotton MM Albany 151
Bro. W. Buck MM Emulation 200
Bro. A. White MM United Services 1428
Bro. T. Bailey MM Phoenix 257
Bro. J. Smith MM Loyalty 358
After a lengthy discussion, all agreed that a petition is sent to the Grand Master, praying that
he will grant a ‘Warrant of Constitution’ empowering the petitioners to meet as a Regular
Lodge. There was further agreement that the proposed name of the lodge is “The Lodge of
Hope” and that it would meet at the “India Arms Hotel” Gosport on the third Wednesday of
each month.
Nominations for the Principal Officers were as follows: - Worshipful Master. W. Bro. Francis
Powell, Senior Warden W. Bro. Green, Junior Warden Bro. Stretton.
Agreement on the Founders fee was £1.10.0, which would include the first year’s
subscription. The following brethren also signed the petition:
W. Bro Revd R. Measham PPGChap Devon Meth 1205
W. Bro. W. Taylor PPSGD Gosport 903
Bro. J. Ball MM Pentangle 1174
Bro. G. Turner MM Gosport 903
Bro. E. S. Inns MM Gosport 903
Bro. D. Sarson MM Gosport 903
Bro. J. Hicken MM Gosport 903
Bro. G. Dunbar MM Gosport 903
A letter was sent to the Provincial Grand Secretary seeking permission from His Royal
Highness the Most W. Grand Master for the formation of a new lodge for serving of retired
personnel on a pension from HM Naval or Military Services.
With the petition granted, and the warrant received on the 8 May 1886, the way was now
clear for the formation of a new lodge, so invitations went out.
The Formation of a New Lodge
May 1886 On Wednesday 12 May 1886, a meeting convened at the Thorngate Hall Gosport
at 2.30pm for the purpose of Consecrating, Constituting and Dedicating the Lodge of Hope
No. 2153 on the Register of the United Grand Lodge of England. The following officers
conducted the ceremony:
RW Bro. W. Bro. Beach MP Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Hampshire & Isle
of Wight,
W. Bro Revd J. N. Palmer PPSGD Grand Chaplain of England.
W. Bro. M. E. Frost PPSGW.
W. Bro. J. W. Goldsmith PPJGW
W. Bro. G. F. Lancaster PPJGD (Founder) acted as DC.
The RW Provincial Grand Master was elected as an honorary member of the lodge.
May 1886 the First Regular Meeting.
The first regular meeting of the new lodge took place on the following Wednesday the 19
May 1886 at the ‘India Arms Hotel’ Gosport conducted by W. Bro. Francis Powell.
The first year saw a visit from W. Bro. L. Le Feuvre GD, Deputy Provincial Grand Master,
who was elected as an honorary member of the lodge.
The lodge also inaugurated a Jubilee Fund; to be known as the “Lodge of Hope Queen’s
Jubilee Fund” and all members of the Lodge of Hope, their wives, families and friends were
eligible for membership. The subscription to be sixpence per quarter and the following
institutions to be supported by the money:
Hants & IOW Masonic Educational & Benevolent Inst.
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Trust.
The Royal Masonic Inst. For Girls.
The Royal Masonic Inst. For Boys.
HRH the MW. Grand Master approved a special jewel to be worn by all subscribing
Freemasons to take effect from 20 June 1887 when Her Majesty will have completed the 50th
year of her accession to the throne. His Royal Highness presided over an extraordinary
meeting of all lodge representatives to arrange an address of congratulation to Her Majesty
from all her faithful subjects, The Freemasons of England.
The Lodge of Hope Breast Jewel & Crest.
The design agreed for the jewel and crest was the figure of Hope as a centre motif for the
jewel beneath the all-seeing eye of our maker with the following motto above IN TE
DOMINE SPERAVIMUS ( In you oh Master we hoped). [Editors note: when translated
from Latin it reads “Have trusted in you”.]
This motto appears on the Breast Jewels worn by the Past Masters today despite the fact that
the it was changed in 1900 to “IN DEO SPES NOSTRA” (Our hope is in God). [Editor’s
note: Translation spot on] No reason is given in the lodge minutes for the change. It is also
noticeable in the 1886 design the anchor was on the right-hand side of Hope - it is now on the
left. This change could have been intentional, or it may have been a printer’s error.—we may
never know.
1902 The Lodge Banner
The original lodge banner purchased in 1902 for the sum of £12.10s. was replaced by a new
one donated by one of our Past Masters’. The original is still in existence but showing signs
of the need for refurbishment and repair.
Quatuor Coronati Lodge
Such was our founders search for Masonic knowledge that they joined Quatuor Coronati
Lodge one year after the formation of the lodge.
Charity
In their second year, our elders also laid down the foundations for our charity. The first
donation was for 20gns to the RMSG a considerable amount in those days (the first class fare
to New York from Liverpool was £18) — their generosity seemed to be boundless. Records
show support for over 20 different charities in the first 15-20 years of the lodge. Apart from
the usual Masonic Charities already named, some strange titles emerged viz:
The Indian Mutiny Fund, The Old Woman’s Fund, The Unemployment Fund, Naval Distress
Fund, The Collapsed Portsea Building Society Fund, The London Cripples Fund, The
Radium Fund, Victorian Nurses and Relief for the Blind are but a few recorded in the lodge
minutes. All this was on top of their support for our ‘Lodge Widows’ with grants and
assistance in funeral expenses etc.
The First Minute Book
The above is a very handsome artefact being leather bound with gold lettering secured by a
brass lock. Therein hangs a tale for in 1892, the lock jammed and the minutes could not be
read out at that particular meeting. The lock was eventually cut open, and it is still in that
state today. That book was for many years kept in the custody of Lloyds Bank. Nowadays, it
is kept with all the other minute books and other historical items of the lodge, in our
cupboards at Centrepoint 19a Five Heads Road Horndean.
An unusual entry in the minute book was an apology from the Worshipful Master for non-
attendance because he had sustained an injury falling out of his dogcart. In those days, it was
the Worshipful Masters prerogative to supply 12 bottles of champagne and 5gns towards the
cost of the oysters for the installation banquet. It is surprising that he managed to stay in his
dogcart at all.
May 1893 An Unusual Installation
At the installation meeting held in May 1893, the lodge was honoured by a visit from the
Deputy Provincial Grand Master W. Bro Major J L Feuvre PGD, who accepted the gavel,
occupied the chair and proceeded to install the Master Elect Bro. W. Pawsey.
Another special installation was the visit of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master
Sir Augustus F. E. Webster, who delivered the Charges to the Worshipful Master, Wardens
and Brethren.
1901 Death in the Royal Family
In 1901, condolences to his Majesty King Edward VII on the death of his mother, Her Most
Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria were recorded, coupled with fraternal congratulations to his
Majesty on his Accession to the Throne.
1902 The Provincial Grand Master RW. Bro. Sir Augustus Webster delivered the addresses
to the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Brethren in a very impressive manner. The lodge
then bestowed honorary membership of the lodge on him.
Wine in the Temple
Grand Lodge stopped the practice of drinking the health of the Master with wine in the lodge.
1904 Death of our First Master
W. Bro. F. Powell, the first Master of the Lodge, died in 1904. The sum of 20gns was
donated to the RMG School in his memory.
1910 Highbury Street Masonic Hall
From the year 1900, the ‘India Arms’ was too small for installation meetings so these were
held in the Masonic Hall Highbury Street Portsmouth to where the lodge finally moved in
1910. An item of interest in the minutes of 1910 is a request from the Tyler for an increase of
two shillings and sixpence to cover the cost of transporting lodge regalia from Gosport to
Portsmouth and return after installation meetings—the lodge approved the increase.
May 1910 The Passing of a Grand Master
During the month of May 1910, a vote of condolence was accorded to His Majesty King
George V and members of the Royal Family on the death of His Majesty King Edward VII
Past Grand Master and Patron of our order.
1911 – 25th Anniversary
To commemorate Lodge of Hope’s first 25 years in the Craft, a full set of Grand Lodge
regalia was presented to W. Bro. W. Pawsey ProvADC, Past Master and Founder member
and first Lodge Secretary. So ended the first quarter century, with the lodge apparently very
popular and prospering, still working very hard to promote Freemasonry and living by its
very high standards. However, it continued to admit only members or ex-members of the
forces despite some efforts to have this Lodge Bylaw amended.
1914-1918 The Great War
With the outbreak of war, our Service Lodge began to feel the effects of its policy on
initiation. Many of the meetings were opened and conducted by brethren deputising for
absent members of the lodge.
October 1914 The first casualty reported in the minutes is that of Bro. T. York killed in
action on 21 October 1914.
A telegram was received from HRH the Prince of Wales requesting help for the “Prince of
Wales National Relief Fund”. The lodge sent a contribution by return and continued its
support.
1915 - 1915-1916 saw large batches of candidates admitted. For example, at a meeting in
February 1916, there were five initiations, six ceremonies of passing, and six raisings! The
practice of large numbers being initiated, passed and raised was finally stopped by a
communication on April 11, 1917, from Grand Lodge, permitting only two from each degree
being passed on the same day. From then on six became the usual thing at every lodge
meeting. In a further effort to make sure that only service members were allowed to join, the
lodge Bylaw No. 1 was amended to read “The Lodge of Hope is established for the
convenience of persons serving in, or retired from the regular branches of HM Navy or Army
and none others are eligible”. However this edict went too far, and the MW Grand Master
ordered the deletion of the words” none others are eligible”.
1918 Sergeant Norman A FINCH VC MSM RMA
The following article is taken from “The Victoria Cross Freemasons Band of Brothers” by
kind permission of the author W. Bro. Granville Angell PAGPurs.
Norman Augustus Finch was born on 26 December 1890, in Handsworth, Birmingham. He
went to the local school. He joined the Royal Marine Artillery at Portsmouth on 15 January
1908. His promotion was regular and progressive, Bombardier in 1913, Corporal in 1915,
Sergeant in 1915, Colour Sergeant in 1920 and Quartermaster Sergeant in 1925. He retired
for the first time on 26 December 1929 and became a Postman, then a messenger for a bank
in Portsmouth North End. On 1 January 1931, he was made a Yeoman of the Guard. The
Second World War broke out, and Finch re-enlisted. He was promoted to Quartermaster
Sergeant on 24 October 1939 then Temporary Lieutenant on 24 February 1943. He became a
Sergeant- Major in the Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeoman of the Guard on 1 February 1961
and passed to the Grand Lodge above on 15 March 1966. Norman Finch left his ten medals to
the Royal Marines Museum.
Norman was initiated into the Lodge of Hope on 18 September 1918 only five months after
he had won his VC. He was passed to the 2nd degree on 23 October 1918 and raised a month
later on 27 November 1918.
The background to his VC makes for interesting reading:
The enemy naval bases at Zeebrugge and Ostend commanded the entrance to the two canals
linking the Port of Bruges. To make the entrance impregnable, the Germans constructed a
pier like structure one and a half miles long to give complete protection to their U-Boat fleet
and harbour pens. Just for good measure, a massive array of 56 gun batteries of some 225
guns posed an enormous challenge to any attack. At the end of 1917, the success of the U-
Boat attacks on allied shipping made the situation imperious. The plan was to be bold but
with a realization that it carried a greater risk of loss of life.
Under the cover of darkness, the cruiser HMS Vindictive would attack the mole while two
submarines fitted with explosives would be sunk and exploded under the railway arch to
block the access to the U-Boat pens. The cost of the attack was high, 188 officers and men
killed, 384 wounded and 16 missing. On 22/23 April 1918, Sergeant Finch was perched in the
rigging on the foretop of HMS Vindictive as 2nd in Command of Pom Poms and Lewis gun
with an order to cover the landing. Enemy guns had ranged onto HMS Vindictive with
devastating accuracy; two shells hit the foretop position killing or disabling everyone except
Finch, who severely wounded was infuriated at the loss of his shipmates and kept up a
continuous fire from a Lewis gun until yet another hit knocked out the last surviving gun.
Without a doubt, his outstanding bravery saved many British lives. Under Rule 13 of the
Royal Warrant, issued on 20 January 1856, the Marine 4th Battalion voted that one man
should be put forward for the Victoria Cross citation. Finch got overwhelming support for his
courageous action. Despite his wounds, he managed to attend the investiture, cited in the
London Gazette 22 July 1918.
In his last will & testament, W. Bro Norman Finch VC left his Grand Lodge Certificate to W.
Bro Victor John Jenner MBA PJGD, who had been a dear friend of his.
1914-1918 Dedicated Freemasonry Despite the many problems connected with absent
service members and officers, our brethren’s record for three years and six months of war
reads like this:
Regular Meetings 50 – Emergency Meetings 25.
Initiations 91
Passing 89
Raisings 89
1919 Past Masters Marble Tablet
To celebrate the peace after the 1914-18 war, a Past Masters Tablet was purchased in 1919
for the sum of £40. Also to commemorate the peace it was decided to hold a Ladies Night at
the Portsmouth Town Hall (now, of course, the Guildhall).
1920 Masonic Million Fund
Every lodge member supported this fund each subscribing half a guinea.
Despite the raising of the initiation fee to 20gns in 1920, the list of candidates continued to
grow. It was only closed for a period when the list read – “awaiting Initiation 18, Passing 12,
Raising 12”. To help alleviate the problem, the lodge started meeting every month plus
emergency meetings. During these very busy periods, such items as the 2nd Degree Tracing
Board, explanation of the Grand Lodge Certificate and such like were only given once a year.
February 1920 Special dispensation was granted for the wearing of regalia at the Ladies
Night in the Town Hall. One shudders to think of the damage done to ladies with low
cleavages! The minutes of 1922 show that the sum of £50 came from lodge funds towards the
cost.
1921 Hope Chapter
At the start of this period, it became desirable to set up a Royal Arch Chapter attached to the
lodge. W. Bro C. J. Hill PM was the guiding light and leader for this venture. The lodge made
a donation towards the setting up costs and the consecration of the Chapter took place on 26
May 1921.
1923 During the year, the General Purposes Committee perused details of a proposed new
Temple on the Bradford/Victoria Road site. During the clearance of the site, the lodge
pledged the sum of £1000 in conjunction with seven other lodges. However, for reasons not
given, this project was cancelled in 1926 and the site sold. One possible reason for its
cancellation was the death of the architect, for records show that the eight lodges settled a
claim from Bramsdon & Childs on behalf of the widow for an undisclosed amount.
October 1929 The Lodge Skull and Crossbones
The record in the lodge minutes shows the disposal of these in 1929.
October 1931
Very close associates of the lodge, St Vincent Lodge, was consecrated on 19 October 1931.
Sponsored by United Service Lodge No. 1428, their first Installed Master was the Junior
Warden of the Lodge of Hope, Bro. J. W. Thompson, who became Worshipful Master of the
Lodge of Hope in May 1934. St Vincent Lodge received strong and lasting support from the
Lodge of Hope, which continues to this day (see addendum)
June 1932 It became the role of the Senior Warden to present and explain the 2nd Degree
Tracing Board to the candidate.
Portsmouth Cathedral Chapter Room
The lodge made a very generous donation for the Chapter Room, which Provincial Grand
Lodge sponsored.
The Widows Son
In 1932, a large contingent from the lodge attended a performance of this play by Royal
Gloucester Lodge No. 130 at the Palace Theatre Southampton. Provincial Grand Lodge
sponsored this Masonic Pageant at which the Provincial Grand Master and his Officers
attended. The performance raised a large sum of money for charity.
1934 End of High Living
For a great number of years at installation meetings, Champagne and Oysters were the order
of the day. A proposal in April 1934 to discontinue this luxury was, according to the lodge
minutes very heavily defeated! The Ladies Festival that year was put back one week as the
Fleet was still at sea thus showing that the lodge was still very much a Service Lodge.
May 15 1935, saw W. Bro, Robert Carr installed as the 50th Worshipful Master of the Lodge.
July 1935 saw the July and August regular meetings discontinued and he installation of Bro.
C. J. Emery as Worshipful Master of Domus Dei Lodge No. 5150.
February 1936 saw a rare occurrence take place when at the age of 19; L/Cpl Thomas Henry
Pulman was initiated into the lodge by special dispensation as he had received a five-year
posting to Egypt. His father, Bro. Thomas Pulman presented both the Working Tools and
Charge to his son.
April 1936 Golden Jubilee Year - W. Bro Robert Carr installed as the 50th Worshipful
Master of the Lodge on May 15, 1935, had the honour of presiding over the Jubilee
Celebrations on 17 April 1936. A surviving Founder member W. Bro T. W. Holdstock, a Past
Master of Charles Beresford Lodge, attended. The Provincial Grand Master, the Earl of
Malmesbury PGW, was present along with Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge. There was
also seven Grand Lodge Officers present. The regular monthly lodge meeting and installation
of the new Worshipful Master took place on the 20 May.
Here endeth the first 50 years of the Lodge of Hope.
1936 -1986 The next 50 Years
December 1936 At a Past Master’s meeting it was disclosed that the following brethren,
who are also members of other lodges would occupy the following positions at the next
installation meeting:
Worshipful Master W. Bro. E. Miller St Swithun’s Lodge No. 4795
Senior Warden W. Bro. C. H. Burbridge St Vincent Lodge No. 5295
Junior Warden W. Bro. C. J. Emery Domus Dei Lodge No. 5150
Senior Deacon W. Bro. P. M. Cox St Vincent Lodge No. 5295
Inner Guard W. Bro A. E. Emery St Davids Lodge No. 366
The installation the following year was postponed due to the Fleet still being at sea. The
special dispensation for the delayed installation read “that the meeting be postponed due to
the Review of the Fleet at Spithead.”
1939–1945 Second World War
At the outbreak of war, the following communication was received from Grand Lodge,
“Having regard to the emergency order of HM Government I am to inform you that all
Masonic Meetings are suspended”.
During the period of the war, a photostat copy of the Lodge Warrant was made for general
use while the original was deposited in the bank vaults, which turned out to be a sagacious
precaution when the air raids over Portsmouth started. The chairs of the Worshipful Master,
Senior Warden and Junior Warden, along with the entire lodge regalia were stored in the Air
Raid Shelter of the Hall.
June 1940 Bro. Jack Amery became the first lodge victim of the war when he was reported
killed in action.
To assist war casualties, the lodge bought a quantity of “Surgical Aid Tickets” to enable those
who had lost limbs to purchase artificial limbs. The lodge also gave these tickets to non-
Masonic persons on request.
January 1941 The Grand Lodge ban on lodge meetings was lifted. Some meetings were held
on Saturday afternoons and at other odd times during the week, with the lodge continuing
with emergency meetings despite the difficulties caused by the wartime conditions. However,
meetings were not easy as the following extract from the lodge minutes of the meeting held
on Saturday 18 January 1941 show – “It is desired to put on record the conditions which
prevailed during this meeting which occurred eight days after the great ”Blitz” on
Portsmouth and Gosport. All buildings for a considerable distance around the Masonic Hall
were bombed, burnt out or blasted out of all recognition – in fact just heaps of rubble. Only
the Masonic Hall at Highbury Street was standing with every window smashed and the
heating system out of action. An incendiary bomb had made a hole in the roof, the temple was
bitterly cold, and the rain came in through the roof. The only lighting was from four candles.
Despite these setbacks and the absence of regular officers on duty elsewhere the Raising of
two Candidates were carried out with the usual decorum expected of the Lodge of Hope.”
August 1942 Another extract from the minutes of 19 August 1942 reads –“It is desirous to
place on record the conditions under which the emergency meeting of 19-8-42 took place. A
very heavy air raid had started 10 minutes before the Lodge Tyled at 5.45pm. Almost all
traffic in Portsmouth had discontinued thus preventing many members from reaching the
Lodge. Others were engaged on Air Raid duties. The gunfire was so intense that it was
almost impossible to hear the various officers conducting the ceremony. This however did not
prevent them from carrying out their work in the second and third degrees with their usual
decorum, nor did it prevent their concentration of sincerity prevailing. In fact, it rather added
to the solemnity of the work. The all clear sounded after the Lodge was closed. It was the day
our surviving kinsmen returned from the Dieppe Raid.”
October 1942 The war was responsible for many strange events, for one member it must
have created a record – Bro. A. H. Wilson was initiated on 24 October 1942, passed on the 19
December 1942 and raised on the 16 July 1947! On several occasions, he disappeared from
the lodge records only for a despairing Lodge Secretary to reinstate him for the sake of
maintaining lodge records.
November 1943 The last Founder member of the lodge died on 20 November 1943, he was
91 years old and was buried in Ocklynge Cemetery Eastbourne.
May 1946 The Lodge celebrated the end of the war by an attendance of 230 brethren at the
installation meeting in 1946. A Grand Lodge communication followed reminding lodges of
the Food Control Order, which limited lodge diners to 100.
November 1946 Royal Marine Portsmouth Lodge No. 6423, St Thomas Lodge No. 6574,
Taverners Lodge No. 7442 & Charles Dickens Lodge No. 8597
In 1946, the lodge had reached its highest membership of 424, and with so many members
wanting to progress it no surprise that there was much talk about the formation of new
lodges. In November 1946, the following proposition was put before the lodge:
“ to consider an application from a number of members that authority be granted to sponsor
two new Lodges, Royal Marine Portsmouth Lodge and St Thomas Lodge Portsmouth.”
In due time, the sponsorship forms were signed by the Worshipful Master and the Senior
Warden, and the subsequent consecration of Royal Marine Portsmouth Lodge took place on
23 April 1947, and the consecration of St Thomas Lodge followed a year later on 27 February
1948. Needless to say, Lodge of Hope strongly supported both lodges, and the close
relationship has existed ever since. The continued strength of the lodge and the continued
requirement of brethren wishing to progress led to the consecration of Taverners Lodge on 26
June 1956. Another request to sponsor a lodge came in 1973 with the consecration of Charles
Dickens Lodge taking place on 30 September.
The lodge also has a very close connection with St Vincent Lodge No 5295 — consecrated in
October 1931. As with our daughter lodges, the reason for the formation of St Vincent Lodge
was the remoteness of progress in the Lodge of Hope to such an extent that Bro. C. H.
Burbridge decided with others to form a new lodge. With the recently formed Domus Dei
Lodge doing well, the group decided to try to do likewise. W. Bro. H. Francis of United
Service Lodge No. 1428 offered his help, and eventually 1428 agreed to sponsor the lodge.
W. Bro. Francis became the first Worshipful Master of St Vincent Lodge, and the following
officers were all subscribing members of the Lodge of Hope:
Senior Warden Bro. W. Thompson
Junior Warden Bro. A. Bowbridge
Secretary Bro. C. H. Burbridge
Almoner Bro. S. Crook
Inner Guard Bro. W. R. Walker
Bro. Thompson was Junior Warden of the Lodge of Hope when the consecration took place.
He became Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Hope in 1934. At the Past Master’s Night in
1936, W. Bros Burbridge and Cox of St Vincent Lodge occupied two of the chairs.
Also at this time, W. Bro. Harold Burbridge PAGReg finally ended his days as the VGO of
the Lodge of Hope.
1948 Food continued to be in short supply, which led to the following statement in the lodge
minutes: “The current food shortage will prevent a full Ladies Festival being held; however it
is proposed that the dance goes ahead with a buffet.” The buffet consisted of ham
sandwiches, oyster sandwiches and homemade cakes, such was the spirit engendered by the
war.
1949 Rising prices caused the initiation fee to increase to 30gns.
1952 The death of The Most Worshipful Brother, His Majesty King George VI, Past Grand
Master.
September 1956 On the move
There had been rumours since 1947 that the Masonic Hall in Highbury Street was due for
demolition. The owners, Portsmouth Lodge No. 487, said there was no problem as they had
the offer of three alternative sites. Nothing, however, was done regarding these alternative
sites and eventually the lodge moved to the Masonic Hall in Lake Road, Portsmouth in
September 1956.
December 1958 The Worshipful Master, W. Bro. F. M. Brown MBE, a very diligent and
popular lodge member, passed to the Grand Lodge Above.
1959 The lodge was honoured with a visit from an Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Major
General R. L. Bond CB, CBE, DSO, MC, PGD.
1963 The lodge was left a legacy of £100 by the late W. Bro. C. H. Hurdle. Likewise, in 1963
another Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W. Bro. The Revd G. W. Page PGD honoured us
with a visit.
1964 The lodge shared the costs of the Grand Lodge regalia for W. Bro. J. S. Heaton, on his
appointment to AGStdB.
1965 The lodge re-joined Quatuor Coronati.
Again, in 1965, a Charity Trust Deed was set up to avoid payment of income tax. The Charity
Commissioners and the Inland Revenue gave their approval. The Deed was legally drawn up
to be executed by four trustees nominated by the lodge. After the festival for the RMBS, it
was felt it was no longer necessary, and the General Purposes Committee agreed to stop it.
The lodge then applied to join the Provincial Grand Lodge Charity Trust during 1985.
Permissive change in obligation. Brethren rejected the change in 1965 by a majority of 11
votes. In 1980, the vote was again put to the lodge and, this time, brethren voted for the
change as laid out in the latest book of Emulation ritual.
1967 The lodge was honoured by a visit from the Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.
Bro. A. L. E. Ormond PGD. During this year, the officers collars were changed, but the
original jewels remained.
1970 In June, Bro. K. V. Bicknell was authorised by Provincial Grand Lodge to present and
explain the Working Tools to both of his sons Bro. Brian Bicknell and Bro. Ronald Allen
Bicknell on their initiation into the lodge
May 1971 At the installation meeting, for the first time, Grand Officers, W. Bro W. R.
Walker PGStdB, W. Bro. J. S. Heaton PAGStdB and W. Bro. Brian Morrissey PG.Std.B, all
of whom were initiated into the lodge and reached Grand Rank in the same decade, occupied
all three Principal Officers Chairs.
June 1971 The Lodge was honoured by the visit of the Provincial Grand Master, RW. Bro
Major General R. L. Bond CB CBE DSO MC.
1974 On the Move Again
It’s hard to point to any one reason as to why the lodge left Lake Road. The newly formed
management committee of Lake Road inherited a lot of necessary repairs and renovations. In
1973, they asked for donations towards rewiring the building to which the lodge contributed.
In 1974, the lodge, along with all other tenants were asked to contribute to a building fund in
the form of interest-free loans. For their suggested contribution, of £2000 plus, Lodge of
Hope recommended that the owners should issue some form of shares in the hall thus
ensuring the security of tenure. However, the owners of the building did not agree to this
request. The General Purposes Committee were of the opinion that it would be wrong to
commit the lodge assets without some form of security and thus accordingly proposed that
the lodge move to the Freemasons Hall in Commercial Road Portsmouth, which occurred in
September 1974.
In retrospect, the move was not very wise. The second Saturday allocated for the regular
meetings was not very popular with the members. As the building was now congested with
Lodges and Chapters etc. the Temple could not be used for LOI’s and rehearsals until 9 pm.
Therefore, in an endeavour to ease the problems of the Saturday meetings, various other odd
days were tried, with some first and second Monday’s and one or two Saturday’s.
Unfortunately, attendances began to drop. Ten years after moving out from Lake Road, the
Lodge of Hope moved back. Many felt that Lake Road was their rightful home, exonerated
by the fact only three members voted against the move back to Lake Road in the ballot. It is
very easy to be wise after the event, but the move to Commercial Road had not helped the
lodge in its Masonic career, but it had gained much experience. In December 1994, after
various tales regarding the sale of Lake Road, the Lodge of Hope moved out of Portsmouth to
the Masonic Centre at 19a Five Heads Road Horndean (now called The Centrepoint) where
the lodge became a shareholder in the company at a cost of £4,000 and where it remains to
this day.
1980 Another Promotion to Grand Rank Our Organist of 31 years, W. Bro R. E. H. (Dick)
Carter PPJGW, was appointed to the rank of PG.Std.B.
February 1982 There was an unusual event recorded in the lodge minutes of 8 February
1982 when the initiation of father and son Ronald Eric and David Eric Ball took place on the
same evening.
Other family members in the lodge at the time included W. Bro Len Young and his son W.
Bro. John Young. W. Bro. Haddow and his father Arthur; W. Bro. Rodney Allen, his father
Percy and his father in law “Robbie” Roberts. W. Bro. Ken Bicknell and his two sons Brian
and Ronald, W. Bro. John Dines and his two sons Bro. Ian and Bro. Paul, Bro. Alan Runnals,
his father and his son Bro. Sean, Bro. Peter Ford and his sons Bro. Paul Ford and Bro. Peter
Ford.
December 1983 The Wandering Jewel
The lodge received a letter and a Past Masters Jewel presented to W. Bro. Nash in 1896 from
the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of De Neustrie, Neuilly Sur Seine France. In his letter he
described how a French Mason had spotted this jewel in a village in Normandy, bought it and
passed it to him and he, in turn, presented the jewel to the Lodge of Hope.
April 1986 W. Bro. A. H. E. Batterbury appointed PPAG.Reg.
May 1986 CENTENARY YEAR
The Centenary Meeting in September 1986
The lodge opened in the presence of the Provincial Grand Master RW. Bro. James Edward
Bullen, who was accompanied by Assistant Provincial Grand Master’s W. Bro. Alan D. Chun
PSGD and W. Bro. Alan Callaway PSGD. There was 167 brethren present that evening. The
Provincial Secretary W. Bro. R. A. Champion PAGSwd.B read the details of the ‘Centenary
Warrant’. The Provincial Grand Master then presented the Centenary Warrant to the
Worshipful Master W. Bro. G. A. Targett, who then presented the Provincial Grand Master
with a suitably engraved Centenary Jewel and a cheque for £500 as a donation towards the
Provincial Grand Master’s Non-Masonic Charity Fund. VW. Bro. The Revd Dr Michael
Morgan PGChap then gave a very moving oration.
W. Bro. B. V. Bates presented the lodge with a set of Gavels in a beautiful oak casket and
Bro. A. A. Hasker presented the lodge with an engraved plaque for use at the festive board.
October 1986 saw W. Bro. Harry Mendoza, a Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge,
deliver a lecture entitled “The Transfer of the Physical Penalties from the Obligation - a
Study of the Pros and Cons”. Rule 229 of the Book of Constitutions being quoted.
November 1986 Bro. Cope celebrated 60 years in Freemasonry.
January 1987 Another £500 was donated to the Provincial Grand Master’s Non-Masonic
Charity Fund.
March 1987 The remainder of the Centenary Fund (£857.37p) was transferred to the Lodge
Reserve Fund.
April 1987 W. Bro. G. Drake appointed PPAGDC and Bro. S. C. Bater appointed PPGStwd.
June 1987 Bros John and Alan Dines both initiated on the same evening.
September 1987 Saw the first of many letters from the owners of Lake Road Masonic Centre
relating to the future of the building.
March 1988 The lodge received an official visit from Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.
Bro. Robert K Mills-Goodlet PSGD to present the Provincial Grand Masters Certificate for
Services to Freemasonry within the Province to W. Bro. R. E. H. Carter PG.Std.B.
W. Bro. Rodney Allen appointed PPDepGReg and Bro. G. W. “Bill” Parsons our Tyler for
many years was appointed PPGStwd. Bro. Bill Binny completed 50 years in Freemasonry,
and Bro. Rex Cox, who had been in Freemasonry for 63 years, went to visit members of his
family in the USA with Provincial Grand Lodge paying his fare.
June 1988 The Lodge donated £200 towards VW. Bro. Revd Dr Michael Morgan’s cycle
ride from Lands End to John O’Groats in aid of the 1994 Festival for the Aged and Sick.
February 1989 W. Bro. E. J. W Pearson presented the lodge with a silver plated alms dish,
which he said might be used to enhance and emphasise “that peculiar moment “in future
initiations. W. Bro. R. P. Churcher (Treasurer) completed 50 years in Freemasonry. W. Bro.
B. V. Bates appointed PPJGD and W. Bro. D. H. Smethurst PPAGDC.
April 1989 The lodge received an official visit from Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.
Bro. R. J. McGarel-Groves OBE PDepGSwdB.
May 1989. With Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. A. C. L. Callaway OBE PSGD
present, W. Bro. A. H. C. Roberts PPGReg presented the lodge with three Stewards Collars
and Jewels.
February 1990 W. Bro. B. V. Bicknell appointed PPAGSupt.Wks, W. Bro. E. J. W. Pearson
and W. Bro J. B. Baker promoted PPJGW.
March 1990 Initiation fee increased to £120. Lodge Bylaw No. 6 amended accordingly. The
very first Minute Book of the Lodge was deposited in a safe box in Barclays Bank Cowplain
– Annual Safe Custody Charge £13.80.
May 1990 Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. A. C. L. Callaway PSGD attended
the lodge and W. Bro. Derek Haddow appointed to PG.Std.B.
June 1990 Worshipful Master W. Bro. S. C. Bater JP awarded BEM in the Queens’ Birthday
Honours List.
September 1990 Provincial Junior Grand Warden W. Bro A Berman presented Bro. Bertie
Robson with a certificate celebrating his 60 years in Freemasonry. Bro Bob Hookway
designed and drew the certificate.
October 1990 Bro. Bertie Robson passed to the Grand Lodge Above.
November 1990 Our Tyler Bro “Bill” Parsons presented the lodge with a pair of Director of
Ceremonies Batons, which he had crafted himself out of old ones.
December 1990 Bro “Bill” Parsons was presented with a certificate as a gesture of thanks
from the lodge acknowledging the many things he did above and beyond his duty as Tyler
e.g. restoration of lodge furniture and regalia. Bro. Bob Hookway once again designed the
certificate and Bro. John Bravin celebrated his 60 years in Freemasonry.
March 1991 RW. Bro. J. E. Bullen said as he was approaching 75 years of age he would be
relinquishing his office as Provincial Grand Master. He said the Grand Master was pleased to
appoint the Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW. Bro. Alan D. Chun as his successor.
April 1991 W. Bro. G. F. R. Taylor appointed PPJGD and W. Bro. K. V. Bicknell promoted
to PPDepGReg.
May 1991 For only the second time (the first occasion was in 1971), the principal offices at
the installation of W. Bro. M. J. Baines were occupied by Worshipful Master, W. Bro. D. L.
Haddow PG.Std.B, Senior Warden W. Bro B Morrissey OBE QPM PAGDC and Junior
Warden by W. Bro. R. E. H. Carter PG.Std.B. The lodge gained a mention in the years’
Prestonian Lecture entitled “Freemasons at War” (see it on page 7 of the Lecture)
November 1991 saw an official visit by Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. Ernest F.
R. Moss PSGD.
January 1992 W. Bro. Brian Morrissey OBE, QPM, and PAGDC completed 50 years in
Freemasonry and was presented with an ‘Illuminated Certificate’ to celebrate the
achievement. Bro. Bob Hookway designed and illuminated the certificate.
March 1992 W. Bro. Sean Russell PDistDepGM, District No. 2 of the Grand Lodge of
Saskatchewan, Canada was a private guest. Bro. W. G. North, the candidate for the evening's
ceremony, had only 18 days earlier had a triple heart bypass operation but was keen to
complete his third degree, so the Junior and Senior Deacons perambulated him around the
lodge in his wheelchair. On completion of the ceremony, his proposer drove him home. W.
Bro. W. V. Jenner became the first lodge member to become an honorary member of the
lodge, which he had joined in 1934.
April 1992 W. Bro. J. Young appointed PPAGSwdB.
May 1992 Bro Bob Hookway presented the lodge with a bound volume of Masonic Prayers
applicable to the Craft Masonic Degrees and Installations for use by the Lodge Chaplain,
which he had drawn and executed himself.
June 1992 A proposal that the lodge meetings change to the 2nd Wednesday as from 1st
January 1993 was agreed. £100 was taken from the lodge funds to purchase a 275th
Anniversary Commemorative Lodge Jewel.
October 1992 The Almoner reported that Bro. Jack Dacombe had now been in the lodge for
69 years! The William Cobbett Lodge Demonstration Team gave an enlightening
demonstration of “The Making of a Mason” from about 1790. The evening raised £363
towards the 1994 Festival. Annual subscriptions increased to £82 from January 1993.
November 1992 The 275th Commemorative Jewel arrived for appending to the Worshipful
Master’s collar.
January 1993 Lodge meetings now held on 2nd Wednesday, which allows our daughter
lodge, Royal Marine Portsmouth Lodge No. 6423 to resume our annual reciprocal meetings.
An ‘Illuminated Certificate’ was presented to W. Bro. A. M. “Sam” Salter PPSGD initiated in
January 1943 celebrating his 50 years in Freemasonry.
March 1993 W. Bro. R. E. H. Carter PGStd.Br presented with an Illuminated Certificate to
celebrate his 50 years in Freemasonry by Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. R. K.
Mills - Goodlet, who was attending the lodge in a private capacity. W. Bro. I. M. Middleton
was appointed Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. W. Bro. L. Lazarus
promoted to PPSGD. Mrs Claringbould, a widow of the lodge, who had regularly received
assistance from the lodge and Province, had received compensation in excess of £100,000
from the Civil Service and now wanted to make a donation back to the lodge and Province in
appreciation of the help she had received.
April 1993 Lodge donated £656 to Portsmouth Diabetes Centre. In the ceremony that
evening, father and son W. Bro. Len and son John Young acted as Deacons another first in
lodge history.
May 1993 Bro. Jack Dacombe who would have completed 70 years in Freemasonry next
year, has unfortunately passed to the to the Grand Lodge Above. The Treasurer for the last
seven years W. Bro. R. P. Churcher was presented with a pair of silver picture frames in
appreciation of all his hard work as Treasurer. The outgoing Worshipful Master, W. Bro. A.
A. L. Roberts presented the lodge with an inlaid veneered wooden lectern for use by the
Lodge Secretary.
September 1993 Bro. J. C. Bravin who had completed 62 years in Freemasonry passed to the
Grand Lodge Above aged 90.
January 1994 Bro. George Waterman, initiated 8 January 1944, was presented with a
certificate commemorating his 50 years in Freemasonry.
February 1994 W. Bro. Alan Berman PPJGW ably assisted by the Senior and Junior
Wardens delivered a lecture entitled “Everything In Masonry Has An Aspect”.
May 1994 Due to the problems revolving around the future of Lake Road Masonic Centre, an
emergency meeting convened to decide the future venue(s) of the lodge. Application to move
to Guildhall Walk fell through, as it was no longer available. An ad hoc committee was
formed to assess the situation and report back to the lodge members.
June 1994 Motion carried to move from Lake Road to 19a Five Heads Road Horndean. The
ad hoc committee had advised the lodge members that even though United Service Lodge had
suggested a buyout, the Lodge of Hope would be better off moving to Horndean. The result
of the vote was 26 for, seven against and one abstention. At Horndean, we had been offered
the 3rd Tuesday of each month. At that meeting the Lodge Historian (and Almoner) W. Bro.
A. H. C. Roberts gave a lecture on the ‘Lodge History’.
September 1994 Dispensation to hold lodge meetings at 19a Five Heads Road was received.
A motion to raise initiation fee to £120, to include the first year’s subscription was agreed.
October 1994 £100 for Secretary to purchase a typewriter (interesting to note the minutes
were hand written for the next four years!)
November 1994 Bro “Bill” Parsons gave a fascinating lecture called “My Story of the Cable
Tow”.
December 1994 W. Bro. Eddie Butcher PPJGD delivered a lecture entitled “A Personal View
of Freemasonry”.
January 1995 Once again, lodge fees came under scrutiny. Following a ballot the initiation
fee was changed to £70 exclusive of annual subscription; joining and re-joining fees were to
be £20 exclusive of annual subscriptions.
March 1995 W. Bro. M. J. Baines was appointed ProvAGSwdB and Bro. Bill Parsons
received a promotion to PPAGStdB. A cheque for £216 presented to the New Born Intensive
Care Unit at St Marys Hospital Portsmouth was the result of the raffle at Ladies Night.
April 1995 saw an official visit by Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. G. Davies
PSGD.
July 1995 The Provincial Grand Master presented Bro. G. W. (Bill) Parsons with Silver
Salver for winning the years Provincial Lecturer competition.
September 1995 Official visit by Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. M. E. Slater to
present the Provincial Grand Masters Certificate of Service to Freemasonry in the Province to
W. Bro. A. H. C. Roberts PPGReg., who, because of illness was unable to receive this award
at the Provincial AGM in July. The Provincial Grand Master had made it known that this
certificate is presented at the earliest possible opportunity. At the same meeting Bro. Bill
Parsons, the new Provincial Lecturer, gave the first presentation of his lecture entitled “The
Tyler”. It was apparent to all present that Bro. Bill had done a great deal of research to ensure
the lecture was truly top class. W. Bro. “Robbie” Roberts then presented the lodge with a new
Worshipful Masters’ Apron.
October 1995 The Worshipful Master presented the lodge with a new Worshipful Masters’
Collar to compliment the Apron given by W. Bro. Robbie Roberts last month.
November 1995 W. Bro. A. H. C. Roberts PPGReg became an honorary member of the
lodge in recognition of his services to the lodge over many years as Secretary and Almoner.
April 1996 saw £2000 taken from lodge funds as the first payment towards the total cost of
£4500 to become a co-owner of the Horndean Masonic complex.
March 1997 The Lodge welcomed a visit from members of the Loyal Lodge of Hope No.
574 Berkshire. W. Bro. Brian Bicknell led them into the lodge, as he had been a member of
the lodge before moving to Berkshire for work.
W. Bro. R. C. Allen received a promotion to PPJGW, with W. Bro. S.C. Bater PPDepGReg
and W. Bro M. J. Baines to PPSGD. The lodge received a lecture from Bro. J. C. Williams
the Organist of St Vincent Lodge, entitled “The Food of Brotherly Love” which outlined the
importance of music in Freemasonry.
September 1997 W. Bro A. H. C. “Robbie” Roberts passed to the Grand Lodge Above.
“Robbie” was Initiated in January 1957; Passed on 20 March 1957 and Raised on 17
April
1957. 157 brethren attended his installation as Worshipful Master in 1967. He was appointed
PPSGD in 1977 and PPGReg in 1987. He was Lodge Secretary and Social Secretary from
1968-1980 and was Lodge Almoner from 1985-1995. In 1995, he was awarded the Provincial
Grand Masters Certificate of Service to Freemasonry— a great honour indeed. W. Bro. M. J.
Baines delivered the eulogy at W. Bro Robbie’s funeral service.
The lodge received a visit from the Provincial Charity Steward. W. Bro. I. M. Middleton
BEM, PPDepGDC, who presented the lodge with a miniature lodge banner for use at the
festive board. An errant brother (a Past Master) was asked to leave the lodge room as he was
causing disharmony amongst the brethren.
December 1997 The same errant brother was again asked to retire from the lodge for causing
disharmony amongst the brethren present. W. Bro. R. E. H. Carter PG.Std.B resigned from
the lodge due to health reasons.
March 1998 After a ballot, the errant brother was excluded for persistently causing
disharmony in the lodge.
April 1998 W. Bro. D. L. Haddow PG.Std.B said that the lodge owed a debt of gratitude to
W. Bro. M. J. Baines and W. Bro. S. C. Bater for the competent manner in which they had
dealt with the exclusion of the errant brother. W. Bro. C. W. Salter was appointed PPAGDC.
September 1998 The lodge received a surprise visit from RW. Bro. John Graham, St
Andrews Trinidad Lodge No. 3903, the District Grand Master of Trinidad and Tobago. RW.
Bro. John told the gathered brethren that he would like to thank them for the way they had
received him, and how much he enjoyed the ceremony that evening. Bro. G. W. “Bill”
Parsons passed to the Grand Lodge Above; Bro. Bill had been the Lodge Tyler for many
years.
November 1998 Four years after buying the Secretary a typewriter – the minutes are now
being typed! A notice of motion was put forward for the regular lodge meetings to convene in
January, February, March, April, May, September, October and November with a social
evening in December.
March 1999 saw an official visit by Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. J. A.
Boutland PSGD.
May 1999 Worshipful Master W. Bro. J. J. Fleming was proclaimed Worshipful Master for
the second year, and at that meeting, he initiated his son-in-law Bro. Jason Guidon into the
lodge. W. Bro A. A. L. Roberts appointed PPJGD.
It is pleasing to note that Bro Paul Ford (commonly known as “the Ever Popular” or EP) was
appointed Assistant Secretary by the Worshipful Master a position he still holds at the date of
writing the revised History of the Lodge in 2011. £1000.00 presented to New Masonic
Samaritan Fund.
September 1999 £500 given to Horndean Masonic Hall Refurbishment Fund, £100 donated
to Rowans Hospice both from Summer Ball raffle.
October 1999 W. Bro. S. Colin Bater JP PPDepGReg was presented with an engraved bowl
to commemorate his many years as Lodge Secretary. This month the minutes showed for the
first time the amounts collected from alms, copper box and raffle and to where the money
was placed, thus complying with instructions from Provincial Office.
November 1999 W. Bro. A. M. Salter PPSGD signed his name as “Sam Salter OB”, a self-
confessed reference to his advancing years and “dubious parentage” – a belief firmly held by
all – including himself and all who served under him in the 1960s while serving as Director
of Ceremonies of the Lodge.
January 2000 The lodge received a lecture from W. Bro. A. J. “Alfie” Burton PG.Std.B
entitled “Prince Hall Masonry”.
March 2000 W. Bro. D. L. Haddow promoted to PAGDC. W. Bro. J. C. Dines appointed
ProvAGStdB.
May 2000 At the installation ceremony, W. Bro. M. J. Baines address to the Wardens was
greeted with spontaneous applause as due to a misunderstanding the arrangements for another
brother to do it had broken down, and without any time at all, W. Bro. Mick did it
instantaneously.
November 2000 With the Provincial Senior Grand Warden W. Bro. Graham R. Williams in
attendance, W. Bro. A. M. “Sam” Salter was elected an honorary member of the lodge to
which “Sam” said: “this is one of the proudest moments in his Masonic career.”
March 2001 The new Alton Group Representative W. Bro. Roger Bricknell attending for the
first time was pleasantly surprised when the Worshipful Master offered the Chair of King
Solomon to the Senior Deacon, W. Bro. J. Palmer who then took his place for the ceremony.
W. Bro. J. J. Fleming appointed ProvGStwd.
May 2001 The new Worshipful Master for the third time, was W. Bro. A. A. L. Roberts
PPJGD.
November 2001 A certificate commemorating his 50 years in Freemasonry was presented to
W. Bro. Cecil W. Francis.
January 2002 saw an official visit by Provincial Grand Master RW. Bro. Ernest F. R. Moss,
who presented a certificate to W. Bro. Brian Morrissey OBE QPM PJGD commemorating his
60 years in Freemasonry.
March 2002 W. Bro. J. C. Dines promoted to PPJGD and W. Bro. F. R. Hookway appointed
PPAG.Reg.
September 2002 Lodge awarded Bronze Certificate for 2005 Festival.
November 2002 Meeting started at 4 pm. Worshipful Master invited W. Bro. F. R. Hookway
PPAG.Reg to take the chair and conduct the 2nd Degree ceremony. On completion, the lodge
was called off and called back on at 6 pm. W. Bro. A. A. L. Roberts PPJGD did the first half
of the 3rd Degree ceremony and then handed over to W. Bro. J. J. Fleming PPGStwd, who
did the second half and on completion, gave a superb rendition of the “Walking Charge".
February 2003 The meeting was in the same format as November 2002 meeting.
March 2003 Bro. Rex Ballard- Neale, who has been the Lodge Organist for the past eight
years, was appointed PPAGStdB. W. Bro. I. M. Middleton was promoted to PGSwd.B and
W. Bro A. M. Salter PPSGD completed 60 years in Freemasonry. During 2003, W. Bro.
Derek Haddow PAGDC presented him with his 60 Year Provincial Certificate at a regular
meeting of St Vincent Lodge No. 5295, Sam being a subscribing member and Derek being
the Visiting Grand Officer of that lodge.
April 2003 At the regular lodge meeting, W. Bro. A. M. “Sam” Salter PPSGD OB was
presented with an engraved plate to commemorate his 60 years in Freemasonry.
May 2003 Bro. George Waterman celebrated his 96th birthday and his certificate for
achieving 60 years in Freemasonry was presented to him at his nursing home. The lodge
received the Silver Award for the 2005 Festival.
September 2003 Annual subscriptions are to rise to £72 from January 2004.
February 2004 Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. G. W. Lloyd received a cheque of
£1000 towards the 2005 Festival from the lodge. Bro. I. Mather elected Worshipful Master of
Kings Cross Lodge No. 1732 (London) and W. Bro M. J. Baines promoted PGSwd.B.
May 2004 On 5 May, W. Bro. Brian Morrissey OBE QPM PGJD passed to the Grand
Lodge Above, and the lodge donated £400 to the Diabetic Eye Disease Appeal in loving
memory of W. Bro. Brian. W. Bro. John Palmer presented a further £5000 to the Newborn
Intensive Care Unit at St Mary’s Hospital Portsmouth because of his fundraising activities
during his year in office.
September 2004 The Worshipful Master was presented with a Black No. 8 billiard ball
during a ballot, to remind him of the difference between White and Black – something that
had troubled him in the past!
November 2004 The ProvSGW W. Bro. S. Allum made an official visit to the lodge.
January 2005 the lodge donated £500 to the Emsworth Community Association to assist in
purchasing a loop hearing system.
February 2005 W. Bro. J. B. Baker PPJGW, who had resigned from the lodge when we
moved from Lake Road, was made an honorary member. The lodge donated £1000 to the
renovations of St Cuthbert’s Church, Copnor, and the Worshipful Master donated £350 from
his Ladies Night to the Cinnamon Trust. W. Bro. J. J. Fleming promoted to PPDepGSuptWks
and W. Bro. C. J. McGaughey appointed PPAGDC.
May 2005 W. Bro J. J. Fleming was thanked by the lodge for his services as Lodge Secretary
over the past five years, and he took over as Lodge Treasurer from W. Bro. J. C. Dines, who
was then, thanked for his ten years as Lodge Treasurer. The Charity Steward reported that the
lodge had donated just under £20,000 to the 2005 Festival.
September 2005 Bro. George Waterman had left a bequest of £1000 and his 100 shares in
Brook House to the lodge. This money was subsequently used to buy a new Collar and Jewel
for the Worshipful Master, which has silver shields on its face and new Aprons for the Senior
and Junior Wardens, which has the lodge insignia embroidered on them.
February 2006 VW. Bro. Revd Dr Michael Morgan PGChap PAPGM kindly visited to
dedicate the new Worshipful Master’s Collar and Jewel. He said, “Bro. George Waterman,
who was initiated into the lodge on 8 January 1944, was made an honorary member of the
lodge on 20 January 2003, had passed to the Grand Lodge Above in May 2005 had always
said that this was a lodge that he loved.” The Worshipful Master thanked W. Bro Ian
Middleton BEM, PPGSwdB for all the hard work and dedication he had shown over the years
in his role as the mentor at Lodge of Instruction. He continued by saying that the lodge
greatly appreciated all his hard work. The assembled brethren greeted this accolade with
spontaneous applause.
April 2006 The lodge received an official visit from Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.
Bro. R. C. Bricknell PSGD, who on being handled the Gavel asked the Worshipful Master to
stay in the chair, and he would sit in the adjoining chair due to the Worshipful Master’s
immobility.
September 2006 Assistant Provincial Grand Master W. Bro. G. R. Williams PSGD came as a
private guest and honoured the lodge by presenting the Senior and Junior Wardens with their
new aprons provided from the bequest of Bro. George Waterman. He also presented Bro. J.
E. Hiney with his Grand Lodge Certificate
October 2006 Bro. Bert Sisson PPAGStdB, who had been the Lodge Tyler since the passing
to the Grand Lodge above of Bro. Bill Parsons on 19 October aged 89 years. Bro. Bert was
also a real operative mason having served his apprenticeship as a monumental mason in
Portsmouth Dockyard. W. Bro F. J. Green PJGD, who had been the Visiting Grand Officer
for the past seven years, was made an honorary member of the lodge. The son and son-in-law
of Bro. “Ben” Hogan, Bro. Ashley Hogan and Bro. Sean Smith both now living in Australia
offered their resignation from the lodge. Bro. Peter Ford the father of Bro. Paul Ford is now
residing in Cyprus.
November 2006 The Worshipful Master in his eulogy to Bro. “Bert,” said that we will have
many more Tylers, all highly respected, but we will always remember Bert when we sing the
“Dockyard Mateys Song” at the festive board.
April 2007 W. Bro “Sam” Salter has had to have his left ear removed and, unfortunately, he
would be unable to attend lodge meetings from now on.
May 2007 The Lodge donated £500 to the Rachel Maddocks School and £500 to the
Clanfield Scout Group.
September 2007 W. Bro. A. M. “Sam” Salter OB PPSGD passed to the Grand Lodge Above
on 20 June at the age of 96 years and nine months. W. Bro. D. L. Haddow PAGDC delivered
the Eulogy.
October 2007 The Provincial Lecture Team gave an excellent demonstration of an Atholl
Initiation.
February 2008 An unusual event took place when Bro. Lou Stempien was the candidate in
the 2nd degree, his Father-in-Law W. Bro. Dennis Callaway PPGReg of St Swithuns Lodge
No. 4795 gave an extended version of the 2nd Degree Tracing Board.
May 2008 W. Bro. S. J. King was proclaimed Worshipful Master for the ensuing year. The
lodge donated £1000 to the Portsmouth and S. E. Hants branch of the Samaritans.
October 2008 W. Bro. Michael Morris JP PAGSuptWks (Surrey) gave a brief description of
how he had found the commemorative jewel that was presented to the Primus Master of the
Lodge of Hope in 1887. He discovered the jewel on e-Bay and then presented the jewel to the
lodge.
March 2009 The lodge received an official visit from Assistant Provincial Grand Master W.
Bro. Revd J. W. A. Harvey PSGD he also congratulated W. Bro. S. J. King on his
appointment of ProvGStwd.
April 2009 Our Junior Warden W. Bro. P. A. Mann PPAGSupt.Wks passed to the Grand
Lodge Above.
May 2009 Our Senior Warden W. Bro. C. J. M. Pearce passed to the Grand Lodge Above.
January 2010 W. Bro. Peter Ford, who now lives in Cyprus, visited the lodge in his capacity
as Worshipful Master of Aganipor Lodge, Cyprus.
February 2010 W. Bro. F. R. Hookway was promoted PPDepGSwdB and W. Bro. A. J.
George and W.Bro. D. J. Palmer appointed PPG.Std.B.
May 2010 Bro. A. Hogan took his clearance from the lodge to join his family in Australia
(Bro. Ashley Hogan and Bro. Sean Smith).
September 2010 W. Bro. D. L. Haddow was presented with a certificate commemorating his
50 years in Freemasonry by VW. Bro. Revd Dr Michael Morgan PGChap PAPGM, together
with an engraved pocket watch from the lodge members, and a personal gift from VW. Bro
Michael Morgan of a geode stone he had brought from Mount Sinai.
October 2010 The Lodge saw the return of W. Bro Brian Bicknell to celebrate his 40 years in
Freemasonry. W. Bro. Brian was initiated into the Lodge of Hope in June 1970; became
Worshipful Master in 1982 and was the Lodge Organist from 1983-1992. Unfortunately, due
to work and family commitments, Brian resigned from the lodge and in 1993 joined the Loyal
Berkshire Lodge of Hope No. 574, which meets in Newbury. Brian was honoured with the
rank of PGSuptWks for the Province of Berkshire in September 2010.
January 2011 Annual subscriptions increased to £108.
February 2011 W. Bro. B. W. Bicknell PGSuptWks (Berkshire) made an honorary member
of the lodge.
Unfortunately, on the 8 February 2011 one of the most popular members of the lodge, Bro.
Paul Ford, who was the Lodge Almoner and Assistant Secretary, tragically passed to the
Grand Lodge Above.
May 2011 W. Bro. Stefan King PPGStwd assumed the chair of King Solomon for the third
time in this our 125th Anniversary Year.
FOUNDERS OF THE LODGE
W. BRO. FRANCIS POWELL PM PGDC
W. BRO. JOHN WILSON PM PGSwd.B
W. BRO. WILLIAM MILLER PM PGD
W. BRO. G F LANCASTER PM PGReg
W. BRO. R W DOWNING PM PGStwd
W. BRO. Revd R MEASHAM PPGChap
W. BRO. WILLIAM GREEN PM (IRISH CONST)
BRO. THOMAS STRETTON
BRO. WILLIAM ISAAC PAWSEY
BRO. THOMAS PEARSON
BRO. EDWARD S INNES
BRO. JAMES G WILLIAMS
BRO. THOMAS W HOLDSTOCK
BRO. DAVID E BATSON
BRO. EDWARD JEWEL
BRO. EDWARD M BUCK
JOSEPH J BATE
BRO. THOMAS NICHOLLS
BRO. ROBERT KING
BRO. GEORGE TURNER
BRO. THOMAS ADAMS
BRO. GEORGE BURNETT
BRO. JOSEPH BEAMS
BRO. JOHN HICKEN
BRO. WILLIAM COTTON
BRO. GEORGE DUNBAR
FIRST OFFICERS OF THE LODGE
WORSHIPFUL MASTER W. BRO. F. POWELL PPGPurs
SENIOR WARDEN W. BRO. W. GREEN PM (Irish Const)
JUNIOR WARDEN BRO. T. STRETTON
CHAPLAIN W. BRO. Revd R. MEASHAM PPGCHAP (Devon)
TREASURER BRO. H. CRISP
SECRETARY W. PAWSEY
SENIOR DEACON T. PEARSON
JUNIOR DEACON E. S. INNES
INNER GUARD T .W. HOLDSTOCK
D of C J .G. WILLIAMS
ORGANIST D. L. BATSON
STEWARD E .H. BUCK
STEWARD E. JEWELL
TYLER L .CANVIN
OFFICERS OF THE CENTENARY MEETING
WORSHIPFUL MASTER W. BRO. G. A. TARGETT
IMMEDIATE PAST MASTER W. BRO. I. M. MIDDLETON BEM
SENIOR WARDEN M. J. BAINES
JUNIOR WARDEN D. THORNTON
CHAPLAIN W. BRO. W. T. SMITH
TREASURER W. BRO. A. H. E. BATTERBURY
SECRETARY S. C. BATER BEM JP
DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES W. BRO. B. V. BATES
SENIOR DEACON J. R. BASHAM
JUNIOR DEACON D. R BRASTED
CHARITY STEWARD W. BRO. R. C. ALLEN
ALMONER W. BRO A. H. C. ROBERTS
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF CEREMONIES W. BRO. J. YOUNG
ORGANIST W. BRO. B. C. BICKNELL
ASSISTANT SECRETARY W. BRO. D. L. HADDOW
INNER GUARD R. W. DAVIS
STEWARDS E. J. WARE, J. J. WINCHESTER, T. P. BOLGER JP, C. B. CURTISS, P. G. FORD,
K. J. NEVILLE, S. B. KIMBER, M. J. MILBURN, D. OWEN,
TYLER G. W. PARSONS
WORSHIPFUL MASTERS OF THE LODGE OF HOPE 2153: 1886 – 2010
1886 F POWELL 1887 W GREEN 1888 T STRETTON
1889 H CRISP 1890 T STRETTON PM 1891 E S INNES
1892 G A DUNBAR 1893 W I PAWSEY 1894 E H BUCK
1895 E G NASH 1896 G D BIRCH 1897 C F GALE
1898 E BRAHAM 1899 O G BUSH 1900 J McKENZIE
1901 J FARDON 1902 G W BARFIELD 1903 G G ACTON
1904 J GRAHAM 1905 G BULLOCK 1906 J E COLE
1907 G STEVENS 1908 H G BEARD 1909 C J HILL
1910 F BREWER 1911 J SQUIRES 1912 W QUARTERMAN
1913 G ABBOTT 1914 H BOFFEY 1915 R B BRYAN
1916 W HOLLOWAY 1917 E CHILD 1918 T J BRIDLE
1919 W T KNILL 1920 G E GRAYSTON 1921 C W WEST
1922 T A BALDWIN 1923 F W PHILLIPS 1924 E H ROOST
1925 H J OSBORN 1926 F W BERRY 1927 A F FLETCHER
1928 C E MATON 1929 R H BRYAN 1930 H J NEALE
1931 C T PIPER 1932 T W WHITE 1933 E J SLIM
1934 W THOMPSON 1935 R CARR 1936 J T COOPER
1937 W R WALKER 1938 A A PLATT 1939 E FARREN
1940 R J PEADON 1941 A WATTS 1942 L G BEABY
1943 J R HURST 1944 F J MASTERS 1945 J S HEATON
1946 S A ARNOLD 1947 P S BARNES 1948 W G MANNS
1949 C H HURDLE 1950 W E PERKINS 1951 W J SAVAGE
1952 R C SMITH 1953 W J JONES 1954 W V JENNER
1955 R E H CARTER 1956 C S ARNOLD 1957 B MORRISSEY
1958 F M BROWN MBE 1959 L E HARE 1960 A M SALTER
1961 R P CHURCHER 1962 HW R LAMING 1963 W F WEEDON
1964 A F FARQUHARSON 1965 J B BAKER 1966 L OSBORN
1967 A H C ROBERTS 1968 L LAZARUS 1969 J WHYEBOURNE
1970 A H WILSON 1971 L J YOUNG 1972 E J W PEARSON
1973 W T SMITH 1974 D L HADDOW 1975 K V BICKNELL
1976 R H A VALLOR 1977 A H BATTERBURY 1978 J G R DRAKE
1979 R C ALLEN 1980 B V BATES 1981 D H SMETHURST
1982 B M BICKNELL 1983 G F R TAYLOR 1984 J YOUNG
1985 I M MIDDLETON BEM-1986 G A TARGETT 1987 M J BAINES
1988 G F R TAYLOR 1989 D R BRASTED 1990 S C BATER BEM JP
1991 M J BAINES 1992 A A L ROBERTS 1993 J C DINES
1994 T C WORRALL 1995 F R HOOKWAY 1996 I R PARKINSON
1997 J W GEORGE 1998 J J FLEMING 1999 J J FLEMING
2000 F R HOOKWAY 2001 A A L ROBERTS 2002 A J GEORGE
2003 C J McGAUGHEY 2004 D J PALMER 2005 C J M PEARCE
2006 A A L ROBERTS 2007 S J KING 2008 S J KING
2009 L M JONES 2010 A J GEORGE 2011 S J KING
Treasurers Secretaries Director of Ceremonies
1886 H Crisp 1886 W I Pawsey 1936 C J Hill
1887 T Pearson 1888 T Holdstock 1938 W Thompson
1888 R Downing 1889 R Downing 1947 A Watts
1889 G Dunbar 1897 G Birch 1948 J S Heaton
1890 H E Apps 1898 J McLachlan 1949 S A Arnold
1891 C Seidenstucker 1903 E G Nash 1950 P S Barnes
1892 H Crisp 1916 T Gadsby 1951 A F Fletcher
1894 G Dunbar 1917 H Osborn 1955 S A Arnold
1916 H Osborn 1923 T A Baldwin 1959 W E Perkins
1917 T A Baldwin 1934 F C Edwards 1962 S A Arnold
1918 J Graham 1958 W E Perkins 1963 A M Salter
1930 A E Emery 1959 W V Jenner 1964 B Morrisey
1942 G R Burgess 1962 W E Perkins 1967 A M Salter
1947 J T Cooper 1964 R P Churcher 1973 A H Wilson
1961 V R Davis 1968 A H C Roberts 1981 D L Haddow
1986 R P Churcher 1986 S C Bater 1986 I M Middleton
1992 D L Haddow 1987 D L Haddow 1994 M J Baines
1995 J C Dines 1992 S C Bater 1996 A A L Roberts
2005 J J Fleming 2000 J J Fleming 2001 M J Baines
2009 S J Osborne 2005 F R Hookway 2006 C J McGaughey
2011 J J Fleming
Lodge of Hope 2153 holds many items of historical interest to numerous to list. However, it’s
worth noting that much of the lodge’s artefacts comprise Masonic jewels, regalia and an
extensive library of Masonic books and booklets dating back to 1887. The lodge also stores
18 Minute Books, 10 Declaration Books and a leather bound Attendance Book dated 1886-
1901. Grand Lodge Certificates and other papers dating back to when Edward VII, the then
Prince of Wales was Grand Master also forms parts of the lodge archive
Original Lodge Banner (pictured left) purchased in 1902. It is
now in storage and shows signs of wear and tear.
Note that the anchor has changed
position from the original insignia
of 1886 from right to left. The
motto changed in 1900 from “In
you O Master we Hoped” to “Our
Hope is in God.”
OFFICERS OF THE LODGE FOR THE 125th ANNIVERSARY YEAR - 2011
Worshipful Master S J King
Senior Warden P H Close
Junior Warden J E Hiney
Chaplain C A McGaughey
Treasurer S J Osborne
Secretary F R Hookway
Director of Ceremonies J J Fleming
Almoner A R George
Charity Steward J Powell
Senior Deacon P C Revell
Junior Deacon L D E Stempien
Assistant DC L M Jones
Organist R E Ballard-Neale
Assistant Secretary A J Clark
Inner Guard P L Rowsell
Stewards T J Flood, P P Emmonds, S D Runalls, S P Gough, D R Hakin, R J Jenkins
Tyler J A Martindale
The updated edition for the 125th Anniversary compiled by W. Bro. Bob Hookway
PPDepGSwdB.
Edited by W. Bro. B.F. Crane, PPAGDC to Oxford and Ars Quatuor Coronatorum Style
Guides – March 2016.
