The History of the Lodge

We are a Masonic Lodge of some 23 members operating under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England. We meet on the 3rd Monday of the month (save for July and August) at the Masonic Hall in Jesmond, Newcastle. The Lodge was formed by members of the Royal British Legion, although it must be stated that we have no direct link with that organisation. Many of our members served in the armed forces and it was the aim of the Founders to attempt to continue the fellowship and camaraderie found in the services.

The Beginning

This is a photo of Warkworth Castle. One of the many castles found in Northumberland

In Masonic terms Legion Lodge is still very young. The petition on behalf of the proposed Legion Lodge was presented in The Prince of Wales Lodge No 2520 on November 15th 1974 by W.Bro C.B.Smith; who became our first Master. Our warrant was confirmed on 12th February 1975 and the lodge was consecrated in June of that year. There is absolutely no doubt that Legion Lodge was conceived in the Lounge Bar of the Central Branch, Royal British Legion, Newcastle upon Tyne. This club had and still has, approximately 1,000 members and with such a large membership you might expect that there would be a significant number of masons amongst them.

A Chance remark

One evening, someone in that lounge bar must have made a chance remark such as "Look how many masons are here tonight" or "We could hold a meeting with this lot". Just who said it will probably never be known, what is more certain is the identity of those who were able to have the energy to bring that chance remark into being. It is generally agreed that Lewis Robson (DC of Morden Lodge 5722) and Bob Embleton (JD of The Prince of Wales Lodge 2520) were the main instigators. Bro Robson was probably the guiding hand but Bro Embleton's energy and persuasive powers produced the forty founders.

Our Name and Logo

Various names were suggested for the lodge but eventually we settled on The British Legion Lodge. Discussion with the headquarters of the RBL meant that we had to drop the words "The British" and so Legion Lodge was born.

The poppy became our emblem and our motto was Lest We Forget. Our Installation was held as close to Remembrance Day as possible but as space in Fern Avenue Masonic Hall began to fill up with other lodges we settled for the 3rd Monday.

At the installation a lone and unseen bugler plays The Last Post and there is usually not a dry eye to be seen!

The Toast to Absent Brethren

Our Toast to Absent Brethren is taken from the poem "For the Fallen" by Lawrence Binyon.

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them not the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Family History

Our Mother Lodge is The Prince of Wales Lodge No.2520. It was through this lodge that the petition for the new "Legion Lodge" was presented. The Prince of Wales Lodge itself is a daughter lodge of St Nicholas Lodge No 1676, which in turn is the daughter of Newcastle upon Tyne No. 24. As well as supporting the petition for Legion Lodge, The Prince of Wales Lodge has supported the petition for Venture Lodge No 8198.

Legion Lodge No 8634 (1975)	Venture Lodge No 8198 (1968)
The Prince of Wales Lodge No 2520 (1894)
St Nicholas Lodge No 1676 (1877)
Newcastle upon Tyne No 24 (1766)

This page has been approved by the UGLE