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INTRODUCTION
In 1949, W. Bro. Fred Tamplin was entrusted by the Lodge Committee with the task of compiling a history of The Hatcham Lodge, No. 5037, a Lodge to which we are justifiably proud to belong. This first history seemed appropriate and necessary whilst members of the original Founding Committee were still alive and especially following the Second World War when, during a bombing raid of London by the German Luftwaffe, the Lodge Minute Books and most of the records prior to November 1940 were destroyed. All who attend the regular Lodge Meetings will understand our justifiable pride when the sole surviving remnant of this raid, the illustrious Warrant of the Lodge, is displayed. It may be burnt and tarnished by fire and water, but it bears its battle-scars with silent dignity. This updated history is dedicated to all those who founded Hatcham Lodge No. 5037, who lost their lives during the war which commenced only eleven years later, and to those Brethren who continue to support and uphold the fraternal spirit of the original Brethren. Long may the Hatcham Lodge prosper and raise charitable funds for the good of society as a whole.
The spirit with which this history has been revised and augmented by W. Bro. Kevin Quarmby (the original document appears in blue text throughout) is best summed up by W. Bro. Tamplin's original comments:
There is every reason to hope that the excellent spirit pervading the Lodge will be continued and the future members will be inspired to uphold the traditions that have been established. (W. Bro. F. R. Tamplin, The Hatcham Lodge No. 5037, Hall-Stone Lodge: 1928-1949 [London: Privately Printed, 1949], p. 1)
The Lodge history was originally updated in 1989 by the then Treasurer, W. Bro. D. H. Coombe, MBE, J.P., with an Introduction by the Worshipful Master for that year, W. Bro. Christopher Cheshire (who later also served as Treasurer of the Lodge). Augmentations to W. Bro. Tamplin's 1949 edition which appeared in this revised history, The Hatcham Lodge No. 5037, Hall-Stone Lodge: 1928-1988 (London: Privately Printed, 1989), appear in red text throughout. Welcome to this history and we begin with W. Bro Tamplin's original Introduction; the writer's Victorian education is evident in the somewhat archaic language of the document.
INCEPTION
The Hatcham Lodge, No. 5037 on the Register of the Grand Lodge of England, was consecrated at Freemasons' Hall, London, on 6 November 1928.
The formation of the Lodge was primarily due to the initiative of W. Bro. Henry Snook, P.G.St.B., Secretary and Past Master of the Sphinx Lodge, No. 1329, and of W. Bro. Alfred T. Burgess, L.R., P.P.G.W. (Bucks), Secretary and Past Master of the 'Neleus' Lodge, No. 3062, in the Province of Buckinghamshire.
I am indebted to W. Bro. Don Coombe (who celebrates his 50th year in the Lodge in 2007) for adding his personal knowledge of this history. The following reflects the attitudes to social distinctions of the time. In a private letter, W. Bro Don records how members of the Lodge
have often heard me refer to, or talk about, 'the poor boys of Deptford'! Hatcham, as you may know is that area which basically links New Cross and Deptford.
It so happened that in 1926, Bert Troubridge (our 1st initiate) was working on the river [Thames]. He later became a Lighterman. He wanted to be a Freemason. He approached his old Headmaster namely Henry Snook, a P.M. of Sphinx Lodge. The story goes (most unmasonic like) that some of the Sphinx Committee said "we don't want people who work on the river in this Lodge'' -- the River Rats were not rated very highly in those days! Henry Snook replied "OK then I'll start a Lodge for the 'Poor Boys of Deptford'."
(Letter dated 23 June 2006)
As W. Bro. Don's letter confirms, the Hatcham Lodge was founded as a fraternal home for all Masons, regardless of social and economic background, to unite for the common purpose of friendship and charity. We are proud of these antecedents who recognized that Freemasonry should be open to all -- even the 'Poor Boys of Deptford' -- regardless of class and occupation. These days, 'Poor Boys of Deptford' has become a catch-all phrase for a membership who travel from all over the country to support the Lodge. The forward-thinking inclusiveness of our Founders thus is still celebrated in the Hatcham Lodge, to which all who are free and of good report are welcome.
The following is a list of the Founders showing the various offices they held during the first year (1928-1929):
W. Bro. Henry Snook, L.R. WM W. Bro. Alfred Thomas Burgess, L.R., P.P.G.W. (Bucks) Acting IPM Bro. Ernest Bell SW Bro. Revd. James M. F. Dumphreys, L.Th. (Durham) JW Bro. Revd. Sidney Coleman, L.Th. (Durham) Chaplain Bro. Albert Edwin Gill Treasurer W. Bro. Charles Benjamin Pointer, P.M. (1329) Secretary W. Bro. Alfred Thomas Burgess, L.R., P.P.G.W. (Bucks) DC Bro. James Anderson SD Bro. Thomas Stanbury Langsford JD Bro. Sidney Shepherd Coulson ADC Bro. Horace Thomas Pointer Almoner Bro. Herbert Edwin Souter Organist Bro. Gilbert Lionel Simmonds Asst. Sec. Bro. William Thomas Varney Geddes IG Bro. James William Tate Steward Bro. George Edward Morrish Steward Bro. Albert Edward Killman Steward Bro. William Walter Scopes Steward Bro. William Clark Steward In addition the following were associated with the above brethren as Founders:
Bro. George Samuel Hay Bro. Charles John Geddes The Tyler was W. Bro. Edmund Jephson, L.R., P.P.G.Swd.B. (Bucks (The rank of the Brethren is as at December 1928).
The Consecrating Officer was
V.W. Bro. Sir P. Colville Smith, M.A., C.V.O., G.Sec., assisted by the following Grand Lodge Officers::
W. Bro. G. Ronald Baddeley, Deputy G.D.C. W. Bro. Dr. J. H. Earls, M.D., G.J.D. W. Bro. Revd. G. Freeman Irwin, B.D., M.A. P.A.G.Ch. W. Bro. John Sullivan, P. G. St. B.. P.P.G.W. (Bucks) W. Bro. Charles J. Pratt, P.A.G.D.C. P.P.G.W. (Bucks) (The rank of the Officers is as at December 1928).
As a mark of appreciation, the Consecrating Officers were unanimously elected the first Honorary Members of the Lodge.
During the first year (1928-1929) the brethren contributed the requisite quota of 105 guineas [£110.25] to the Masonic Million Memorial Fund, inaugurated by the M. W. the Grand Master, H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, and qualified as a Hall Stone Lodge. W. Bro. Henry Snook, the first Master, was invested with the Hall Stone Collar and Jewel, which has been worn with pride by successive Masters of the Lodge.
The Hall Stone Collar and Jewel remains an important part of the Installation Ceremony, its original message somewhat clouded by time. It is good to remember that this Jewel demonstrated that the subscribing Lodge had donated sufficient funds to assist in the building of Freemasons' Hall, that magnificent building in the centre of London dedicated to those Brethren who gave their lives during the First World War of 1914-1918. It must have been particularly poignant to those Brethren who Founded the Lodge in 1928, only a decade after the end of the 'War To End All Wars', who each must have been touched in some personal way by the loss of a brother, son, uncle, cousin or friend in that horrific conflict. For them, the wearing of the Hall Stone Jewel would have been a moving mark of respect to those lost family and friends who would never return from the fields of France or the oceans of the world. It is our duty to remember and acknowledge this loss and debt when, each year, we transfer the Hall-Stone Collar and Jewel to the new Master.
THE LODGE AND THE COAT OF ARMS
A number of the Founders being closely associated with the district in the Metropolitan Borough of Deptford known as 'Hatcham', it was adopted as the name of the Lodge and the Coat of Arms selected depicts a ship in full sail, a pelican, an open book and a turnpike gate, emblematical of past events in the history of this ancient and illustrious neighbourhood which the Lodge is proud to commemorate.
A ship in full sail is symbolic of the naval character of the district in which the Lodge was formed and alludes to the Ship Hotel, King William Street, Greenwich, where the Lodge first met.
Henry VIII established a Royal Naval Dockyard at Deptford where the shipbuilding industry flourished for a long time, persisting when wooden ships gave place to iron. The old Dockyard ceased to be used in 1869, ands was converted into a foreign cattle market being late used by the Government for army stores. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
W. Bro. Don Coombe adds that he knows of an additional level of symbolism for the ship in full sail, namely that of The Golden Hind, the ship in which Sir Francis Drake sailed after it had been stocked from the ships' stores at Deptford Victualling Yard, which was located in Lower Road, Bermondsey
The pelican sometimes called the 'sacrificial pelican', represents the virtue of sacrifice and symbolizes such attributes of character as selflessness and brotherliness, and was included on the coat of arms to remind the brethren of this highly important duty.
The open book refers to the diaries of the two famous men Samuel Pepys (1633-1703) and John Evelyn (1620-1706).
Pepys's connection with Deptford rests on his being Surveyor of Victualling during the 1665-1667 war with Holland when the whole burden of this most important department was thrown on him in addition to his regular duties. He also was a frequent visitor to John Evelyn. The diary comprised the period 1 January 1660 to 31 May 1669, when eye weakness compelled him to cease writing in the conditions he imposed upon himself. It has been described as 'a thing apart by virtue of three qualities which are rarely found in perfection when separate and nowhere else in combination. It was secret; it was full; and it was honest. That Pepys meant it for his own eye alone is clear.' It was written in a system of tachygraphy (shorthand in which each vocal element has one, and only on, distinct sign). 'The result is a "human document" of amazing vitality.' It was left to a nephew but was transferred in 1724 to Magdalene College, Cambridge, where it is still preserved. (Encyclopedia Britannica)
John Evelyn was also a diarist who lived for some time at Sayes Court in Deptford, from 1652-1694. His diary is a valuable chronicle of contemporary events of the period from the standpoint of a moderate politician. The grounds of the house were converted into public gardens by one of his descendants in 1886.
The gate represents the old Turnpike Gate which stood at New Cross and led the way to Greenwich.
An original Turnpike Gate was 'a frame consisting of two bars crossing each other at right angles and turning on a post or pin, placed on a road or footpath to hinder the passage of beasts, but admitting a person to pass between the arms. It may also have been a toll-gate or toll-bar which was set across a road to stop carriages or carts, etc., and sometimes passengers, from passing till the toll for the repair of the road was paid.' (Lloyds Dictionary)
Meeting Places
The first Regular meeting of the Lodge was held on 1 December 1928 at The Ship Hotel, King William Street, Greenwich, where it continued to meet until 3 October 1936.
Originally, the Ship Hotel was named the Ship Tavern and had a restaurant attached to it, called the Ship Stores, where a cheaper luncheon could be obtained than at the Tavern itself.
The Ship Tavern, Riverfront Greenwich, c. 1860, engraved by Gustav Doré.
At the close of the Parliamentary session, the Cabinet Ministers and other members of the Government were wont to meet yearly to partake of a banquet at Greenwich, known as the Whitebait Dinner, from the whitebait, a small fish not much more than an inch in length, for which Greenwich is famous, and which is considered a great delicacy. It is eaten with cayenne pepper, lemon juice and brown bread and butter. The whitebait dinner temporarily ceased in 1880 but was resumed in 1895. (Baedeker's Guide to London)
At the banquets following the Installation Meetings of the Lodge, whitebait was always included on the menu.
The neighbouring Trafalgar Hotel, 1878, with the Ship Hotel in the Background
The Ship Hotel will long be remembered with affection by those who were privileged to attend Meetings there. It occupied a unique position alongside a busy stretch of the River Thames and, from the Hotel windows, a wonderful panorama could be seen. All types of shipping, from small craft to sea-going vessels, passed up and down and, on occasions, this colourful setting was enhanced by the setting sun silhouetting Tower Bridge. Needless to add, there was always a welcome to any brother mariner whose ship was moored in the vicinity.
It is recorded with special pride that whilst at the ship Hotel, the Lodge was honoured by a visit from the Senior Grand Warden, Very Worshipful Bro. the Earl of Courtown -- now the Provincial Grand Master of Bedfordshire.
The Ship Hotel was destroyed by enemy action in November 1940. [The site of the destroyed Ship Hotel now holds the famous Cutty Sark exhibition].
The Ship Hotel photographed in 1908.
With the growth in membership, the Lodge found it necessary to transfer to larger quarters and on 5 December 1936 it met at Cannon Street Station Restaurant, Southern House, London, EC4. This venue was used until the 13 April 1940 when, owing to the building undergoing reconstruction, it was necessary once again to find alternative accommodation.
At this period of the history of the Lodge, the Second World War was in progress and the next meeting took place on the 7 December 1940 at 'Ye Olde Cock Tavern', 22 Fleet Street, London, EC4 which, according to his diary, Pepys often frequented. During that month, the Tavern was damaged during an incendiary raid made by enemy aircraft and much of the Lodge regalia and other property was destroyed. The Warrant of the Lodge, too, was seriously damaged by water but it was subsequently found possible to restore much of the document to a reasonable state of legibility.
In consequence of the foregoing, another venue had to be found and the next meeting (8 February 1941) was held at The Comedy restaurant, 38 Panton Street, London, SW1, where the Lodge continued to meet for fifteen years when we moved to Tolaini's Restaurant in Wardour Street. In 1971 we had to move in haste as Tolaini's cancelled all bookings owing to re-development plans. Then followed the Lancaster Gate Hotel, Colonial House, Mincing Lane, and Mark Mason's Hall, St. James's, where we still meet.
The Second World War (1939-1945)
When the Second World War commenced on the 3 September 1939, the membership of the Lodge had grown to seventy five and it is gratifying to record that not one member suffered personal injury to any serious extent in consequence of the War. Unfortunately, however, the homes of many of the brethren were damaged and in a few cases completely destroyed. Reference has been made to the loss of the Lodge regalia and a further catastrophe occurred on the 29th November 1940 when the Secretary's home was demolished which caused the destruction of the Lodge Minute Books, documents and correspondence dating from the inception of the Lodge.
During this vital period in history, all the members rendered yeoman service in some form or another to their country; some served in His Majesty's Forces and others served with no less distinction in their spare time in the Home Guard, Civil Defence, and kindred organizations. Yet, in spite of this heavy burden and preoccupation, and the continued possibility of air raids, the Meetings of the Lodge continued to be held and were well attended. On only one occasion, the 5 October 1940, was the Master reluctantly compelled to cancel the Meeting. This was due to the persistency of the air raids [the 'Blitz'] then taking place, the undesirability of the members assembling in London and, at the same time, being withdrawn from the War posts where their services might be required at any moment.
To meet the War conditions some adjustments were necessary in the normal Lodge routine. Meetings were convened for 1.00 p.m. or 1.30 p.m. -- a light meal being served either before or after -- which obviated brethren being away from their Defence Posts or homes after darkness had fallen.
The following notice was exhibited in the Lodge Ante-room during a crucial period of the War and is not without interest:
PROCEDURE TO BE ADOPTED IN THE EVENT OF AN AIR RAID WARNING 1. THE W.M. TO ADJOURN THE LODGE. 2. CANDIDATES TO BE CONDUCTED FROM THE LODGE BY THE DEACONS 3. BRETHREN TO LEAVE THE LODGE IN AN ORDERLY MANNER CONDUCTED BY THE I.P.M. 4. THE TYLER TO LOCK THE DOOR OF THE LODGE All members are advised to take their Gas Masks in to the Lodge Room
Fortunately the necessity of adopting this course did not arise.
The subscription to the Lodge members in H.M. Forces was reduced to ten shillings and sixpence ['half a guinea' or £0.52 p] per annum during the period they served.
In response to the invitation of Grand Lodge, many members surrendered their Festival and their other jewels which were melted down and the proceeds utilized for the relief of distress.
It may be appropriate to mention at this juncture that following the loss of the Lodge regalia in 1940 and the inability to replace the various articles owing to the War, the Officers of the Hatcham Lodge of Instruction readily loaned their old and somewhat faded collars to the Officers of the parent Lodge until such time as new regalia could be obtained. It was not until 1948 that new collars and gauntlets could be purchased and these were worn for the first time at the Meeting held on 4 December, eight years after the original regalia was destroyed.
GENERAL
This record would not be complete without reference to the valuable services rendered to the Lodge by W. Bro. C. B. Pointer, P.G.St.B., P.Z., P.A.G.D.C., P.M. 1329, 5319 who was the Secretary of the Lodge from its inception until his death on the 19 October 1946 in his 90th year. The brethren acknowledge the splendid work he did during the eighteen years he held Office, particularly in the early years in assisting to develop the Lodge on the right lines.
He was succeeded by W. Bro. T. S. Langford, who in turn was succeeded by the Lodge's first initiate, W. Bro. A. T. Troubridge, P.G.Purs., in 1949. W. Bro. Troubridge rendered outstanding service as Secretary for twenty four years until in 1973 W. Bro. John Henry Debarr Spalding took over as Secretary from W. Bro. Troubridge.
When 'Jack' Spalding regretfully retired from the Lodge, his post was filled by our illustrious W. Bro. Robert Gilbert, SLGR, a proud Lewis who continues as Secretary of Hatcham Lodge to this day. It is fitting to describe W. Bro. 'Bob' as a 'tower of strength' as his imposing figure immediately commands respect and admiration, as does that of his father, W. Bro. Barrie Gilbert, who for many years was DC in the Lodge and directed the ceremonies with incomparable gravitas and dignity..
The present [1949] satisfactory financial state of the Lodge is in no small measure due to the capable and far sighted brethren who have carried out the important duties of Treasurer. For many years W. Bro. Albert E. Gill, P.M., P.Z., has occupied the position with distinction and during the years 1939-1947 when he was evacuated from London, the post was covered with marked ability by W. Bro. W. E. Roland Doughty, P.M. 4517. W. Bro. Gill was succeeded by W. Bro. Ernie Bale in January 1958 and he held office until his death in 1977. Once again W. Bro. Troubridge came to the rescue and he served as Treasurer until the election to that office of W. Bro. Donald H. Coombe, MBE, J.P. in 1978. W. Bro. Coombe was made a Grand Officer (P.G.St.B.) and retired from his post in 1999, being succeeded by W. Bro. Christopher Cheshire. Work commitments required W. Bro. Chris to retire in 2004 and the Treasurer's role fell to W. Bro. Robert Ball. W. Bro. Bob's own family responsibilities were such that in 2005 W. Bro. Kevin A. Quarmby was duly elected Treasurer of the Hatcham Lodge.
The Hatcham Lodge No. 5037 was sponsored by the Sphinx Lodge No. 1329 in 1928 and in April 1939 our Lodge sponsored the Dulwich Park Lodge No. 5794.
In 1930 the Hatcham Lodge of Instruction was formed and continues to meet regularly. W. Bro. S. S. Coulson was the Preceptor until 1948 when he was succeeded by W. Bro. F. Godwin. Then in September 1952 W. Bro. A. T. Troubridge assumed the office and gave many years sterling service -- so helpful to all members aspiring to office in the Lodge. W. Bro. Robert Gilbert, a great 'Tower of Strength' currently issues the precepts that keep our Hatcham brethren ritualistically 'on the ball', ably assisted by W. Bro. William 'Bill' Brander.
In 1961 Bro. A. E. Gilbert left England to live and work in India. Making his home in Bombay [Mumbai] he became a joining member of the Lodge of St George, No. 549, of which he was Master in 1970. He was appointed a District Officer in 1971 and held a number of District Offices until being appointed District Grand Master of Bombay in 1984. Following the death of the District Grand Master of Northern India, H.H. Raja Sir Harindan Singh Brar Bans Bahadan, KCSI of Faridkot in 1989, that district was joined with Bombay to become the District of Bombay and Northern India under R.W. Bro. Gilbert. He was appointed P.A.G.D.C. in 1977 and promoted to P.S.G.D. in 1980.
The Hatcham Lodge has a long tradition of fathers and sons, with many a Lewis joining its Masonic ranks. W. Bro. Howard J. Coombe, father of our Grand Officer, W. Bro Don Coombe, and grandfather of the incumbent Master (2005-2006), W. Bro David Coombe, entered the Lodge in 1947. Bro. Arthur Gilbert, father to W. Bro Barrie Gilbert, and Grandfather of the Lodge Secretary, W. Bro Robert Gilbert, was a long-standing member of Hatcham Lodge from 1937, as was the Lodge's late Organist, W. Bro. Herbert 'Bert' Quarmby, father of the Treasurer, W. Bro. Kevin Quarmby. Long may this tradition of paternal and fraternal fellowship continue.
THE ANTECEDENTS OF THE HATCHAM LODGE NO. 5037: PAPER READ AT THE 198TH REGULAR MEETING ON THE 14 APRIL 1973
In the autumn of 1970, I had the honour to be invited to the Centenary Celebrations of the Sphinx Lodge No. 1329. This Lodge was, of course, the sponsoring Lodge to our own Lodge -- Hatcham No. 5037 -- and in the early days, the Sphinx lodge was frequently referred to as several of our founders were members of it -- notably our first Master, W. Bro. Henry Snook, P.G.Std.B., L.R.P.Z.
This set me wondering about the antecedents of the Sphinx Lodge then celebrating the Centenary of its foundation and consecration in 1870. Having found the sponsoring lodge tot he Sphinx Lodge -- it proved to be the Beadon Lodge No. 619 -- I was not content until I discovered which lodge had sponsored the Beadon Lodge and so on back as far as possible. The Beadon Lodge No. 619 ha been founded in 1853 and the sponsoring lodge was the Zetland Lodge No. 511 in 1845 and the Zetland Lodge had been sponsored by St Luke's Lodge (as it is now re-named) No. 144 (as it is now re-numbered).
Further back than that it is not possible to delve as lodges in those days -- the 1700s -- just 'formed themselves'. Nor was I forgetful that our own lodge had sponsored the Dulwich Park Lodge No. 5794 in 1939. So in genealogical sequence there are six generations to date, our own lodge being the fifth in line:
St. Luke's Lodge No. 144 Zetland Lodge No. 511 Beadon Lodge No. 619 Sphinx Lodge No. 1329 Hatcham Lodge No. 5037 Dulwich Park Lodge No. 5794
Having established this succession, it is interesting, I think, to go back to the beginning and trace the development in greater detail.
St Luke's Lodge, No. 144, was consecrated on 24 July 1765 in the reign of George III. It had originally been called the Flask Lodge No. 345 as it used to meet at the Flask Tavern on the N.E. corner of Ebury Square near where the Chelsea Barracks (recently modernized) stood. This lodge has had eight various numbers owing to several renumbering schemes and the interweaving of the numbers of the various lodges of the 'Ancients' and the 'Moderns' consequent on the reconciliation and amalgamation in 1813 when the United Grand Lodge of England was constituted. Thus St Luke's Lodge obtained its present number 144. Nor was the change from 'Flask' to St Luke's' a direct one, for in between it was known as 'Duke's Lodge' as it was then meeting in the Duke's Head Tavern. However, in 1768, only three years after its foundation, it was dedicated to St Luke after St Luke's Church Chelsea, now known as Old Chelsea Church. In 1799 it had 24 members made up as follows:
| 9 gentlemen | 2 linendrapers | 2 tailors |
| 1 watchmaker | 1 proctor | 2 attorneys |
| 1 brewer | 1 merchant | 1 upholsterer |
| 1 grower | 1 gardener | 2 bricklayers |
This information is obtained form the Return made to the Justices of the Peace in that year. You can therefore realise that these speculative masons formed a cross section of the Chelas community of those days and had their daily vocations with the exception of the gentlemen of leisure. They were also very particular about the quality of their membership for in 1823, a brother from the Lodge of Truth applied to become a Joining Member but his application was unanimously rejected.
In 1845 St Luke's sponsored the Zetland Lodge with which I will deal later.
In 1853, a piece of stone from the ruins of Nineveh was presented and adopted as the rough ashlar of the Junior Warden's pedestal.
In 1869 St Luke's sponsored the Grosvenor Lodge No. 1257 and in 1870 it contributed to the R.N.L.I. Fund to provide a lifeboat to be named 'Freemasonry'.
In 1902 it founded its own Royal Arch Chapter and in 1903 it sponsored the Knightsbridge Lodge No. 2978. At the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 there were a number of German Nationals in the Lodge and one W. Bro. William Guido Gravel, who had been Master in 1909, went to Margate where he was arrested by the police and shortly after committed suicide.
In 1946, St. Luke's sponsored Haymarket Lodge No. 6271 and Coronation Stamps were inserted in the Minute Book in commemoration.
St Luke's, now, in 1973, almost 208 years old had had 25 different regular meeting places and in its very earliest days the landlord of the tavern where they met was usually made a mason and subsequently became Lodge Treasurer.
The Zetland Lodge No. 511 next engages our attention as it was sponsored by St Luke's and consecrated on 9 July 1845 and is itself the founder of the Beadon Lodge. The Zetland Lodge was originally numbered 752. Its first meeting place was the Gloucester Arms Tavern, Kensington and subsequently at the Adam and Eve Tavern, Kensington, then the King's Arms Hotel, Kensington, Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, Cannon Street Hotel, the Northumberland Rooms, London and the present Freemasons' Hall. The Centenary Booklet of the Zetland Lodge, in the Library at Great Queen Street, does not contain a great deal of interest to us but the important thing is that it sponsored the Beadon Lodge No. 619 in 1853.
The Beadon Lodge was named after William Frederick Beadon who lived from 1808-1862. He was the principal founder and was a graduate of Cambridge University. He became Junior Grand Warden in Grand Lodge, Principal Grand Sojourner and Grand Scribe Nehemiah in Supreme Grand Chapter. His profession was the law and he was the Principal Magistrate at Hammersmith, Wandsworth and Marlborough Street Police Courts. The Lodge that bears his surname was consecrated at the Star and Garter Tavern Kew in 1862 when he was 54 years old. He himself performed the Consecration Ceremony but he was never Master as he died that year. The Lodge subsequently met at the Greyhound Hotel, Dulwich, and later at the Royal Crystal Palace Hotel, Norwood and then at the Holborn Restaurant. This Lodge sponsored our own sponsoring lodge the Sphinx Lodge No. 1329.
One might as well ask why the Sphinx Lodge was so named with its motto "What is Man?" This 'riddle'' is solved by referring to the discussions which took place in the Vestry of the Parish of Camberwell and the name "Sphinx" was suggested to the founders by the Grand Lodge as a Sphinx Lodge had recently become extinct. The Sphinx Petition to Grand Lodge, which I have examined, stated that they were to meet at the Stirling Castle, Church Street, Camberwell and the petitioners comprised:
| 2 gentlemen | 1 builder | 1 parliamentary agent |
| 1 architect | 1 doctor | 1 traveller |
| 2 merchants | 1 secretary | 1 clerk |
| 2 surveyors |
Each of these 13 brethren had a Camberwell address except one from Forest Hill, one from Deptford and one from Brixton Road.
In those days the Warrant cost £5. 05. 0. [Five Guineas or £5.25]
The 15 Petitioners were charged 15/- [75p] each £3. 15. 0. [£3.75]
And 1 Book of Constitutions cost. £0. 01. 6 [£0.07]
So they were presented with a bill for £9. 01. 6 [£9.07]
by Grand Lodge
The Sphinx Lodge has, as yet, no Centenary Booklet in Grand Lodge Library but there is a booklet to celebrate its Golden Jubilee of 1920. I was particularly interested to find fastened inside its front cover a letter to the Grand Librarian from W. Bro. Henry Snook:
5th December 1922
The Grand Librarian
Dear Sir,
The Sphinx Lodge No. 1329 begs your acceptance of the enclosed booklet -- part of its memorial to the late Bro. Sir Perceval A. Nairne -- for inclusion in the Masonic Library.
Yours faithfully
Henry Snook
Secretary.
The memorial referred to in the letter took the form of a booklet mentioned above, a Memorial Fund to supplement the regular Masonic Charities and a Lodge banner bearing the "Nairne" crest. The family of Sir Perceval A. Nairne, who was an outstanding member of the Sphinx Lodge during its first fifty years of existence, came from Scotland and his grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather has each in turn been ministers of religion in the County of Fife. His father had been a Captain in the East India Company's Navy. He himself had been born in Camberwell Grove and he had three brothers in Holy Orders and another in the Army who became Commander-in-Chief of our forces in India.
Sir Perceval A. Nairne however chose the Law and became
Solicitor to the Worshipful Company of Drapers.
Solicitor to the National Union of Teachers
Solicitor to the League of Mercy
Solicitor to King George's Fund for Sailors
and Solicitor to the British Hospital Association.
He was a member of the Camberwell, Peckham and Dulwich Conservative Club and elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He was knighted in 1915. He was a founder of the Sphinx Lodge and first M.E.Z. of the Sphinx Holy Royal Arch Chapter which was consecrated in 1876 and he presided at the Golden Jubilee of eth Sphinx Lodge in 1920.
After a spell at the Stirling Castle, Church Street Camberwell, the Sphinx Lodge moved successively to Bridge House Hotel, London Bridge, Surrey Masonic Hall Camberwell, The Waldorf Hotel Aldwych, and then to the Cafe Monico (now demolished).
On the later history of the Sphinx Lodge there is as yet no information available as no centenary Booklet has been produced but in 1928, W. Bro. Henry Snook of the Sphinx Lodge headed the Petition for the foundation of the Hatcham Lodge No. 5037 and became, on its consecration, the first Master.
The early years of the Hatcham Lodge are well documented in the interesting booklet compiled by W. Bro. Frederick R. Tamplin entitled The Hatcham Lodge No. 5037: 1928-1949 to mark the 21st anniversary of its consecration.
In 1939 W. Bro. Sidney Shepherd Coulson of this Lodge and of the Sphinx became a founder and the first master of the Dulwich Park Lodge No. 5794. This daughter Lodge of ours is now [in 1973] 34 years old.
In conclusion, I would point out that only since 1841 has it been obligatory for a new lodge to be sponsored by an existing lodge. This form of regularity therefore preceded the formation of the Zetland Lodge. Nowadays, I understand it would no longer be permissible to name a lodge after an individual brother as i the case of the Beadon Lodge.
I hope that this short paper shedding some light on the past has proved interesting and illuminating especially recalling the early days of our Lodge to our senior members and providing food for thought for all. May our Lodge continue to flourish and in dies course celebrate with auspicious solemnity its own Golden Jubilee in 1978.
Finally, I wish to place on record my grateful thanks tot the Curator of the Museum and Library at Freemason's Hall London for his courtesy and kindness at all times in giving me access to documents etc. which have made the preparation of this Paper possible.
REGINALD H. SANDERS
P.M. L.G.R. P.Z.
So, that is the history of the Hatcham Lodge No. 5037 as recorded by our illustrious forebears. What is evident is that the Lodge was founded during a period of extreme economic hardship and upheaval at the time of the Great Depression nearly a decade after the end of the First World War. To come were years of deprivation and struggle for a nation whose young men had given their lives in the trenches of France and who faced a new political threat from rising nationalism both at home and in Germany. The Brethren who founded the Hatcham Lodge in 1928 could not have foreseen the devastation that was to recommence only eleven years later. To them, the hope was for a better, brighter world, freed from tyranny and war. As we enter the Twenty-first Century, I know the present Brethren of Hatcham Lodge hope for the same peace and freedom from conflict. In an ever-changing world, one aspect of our lives remains the same -- the friendship and camaraderie of meeting friends old and new in the Lodge and afterwards at the Festive Board. Long may that fraternal unity remain an active part of our lives.
W. Bro. Kevin A. Quarmby
Treasurer Hatcham Lodge No. 5037
July 2006