St Oswald Lodge
St Oswald Lodge was concieved in 1944 and evolved out of the comradeship of the officers and men of the 12th Battalion, Northumberland Home Guard.
Extract from the letter of application to the United Grand Lodge of England:
"The reasons of our wish to found this Lodge is , firstly, that we would like to perpetuate the friendship and excellent spirit of comradeship formed during our service in a branch of the armed forces of the crown. Secondly, the service which we have rendered has been solely voluntary and consequently a similar spirit is present to that which predominates in Freemasonry. Thirdly, the present emergency has brought into contact many Freemasons from widely scattered Lodges, and we feel that the formation of a new lodge would be an even closer bond of friendship, having the principles of the art as our foundation to the benefit of Freemasonry in general ".
The name and symbols for the new Lodge were adopted because it was felt that the Bretherin, like St Oswald, took up arms in the defense of their homeland and that they, like he, had valiantly defended the principals of Christianity.
St Oswald was King of Northumberland between 634-642 AD and with St Aiden founded Christianity in his Kingdom. In 635 AD King Oswald clashed with Cadwalla after raising the standard of the Cross at Chollerford thus ensuring victory at the Battle of Heavenfield, but he was killed in action at a subsequent battle against the pagan King Penda of Mercia.
His shield,"paly of eight or and gules" eight alternating vertical bars of red and gold, was, in those days, in the forefront of all activities throughout the Kingdom of Northumberland. This shield and emblem was subsequently worn by all ranks of the Northumberland Home Guard on the sleeves of their battledress and greatcoats. By incorporation the shield of St Oswald in the Lodge Crest and banner, and adopting the motto
FORTIS ESTO VIRILISQUE
(Let you be courageous and manly)
The Founders hoped that these emblems would serve as permanent reminders to the Bretherin that these worthy principles would need to be supported as resolutely in peace, as they had been in war.
The new St Oswald Lodge was sponsored, and initialy supported, by Doric Lodge No 5360, and was consecrated on Wednesday, 11th July, 1945. The Consecration Ceremony was performed by R.W.Bro. Sir Cecil A Cochrane, Provincial Grand Master, assisted by the Provincial Grand Wardens, Chaplain, Secretary, Director of Ceremonies, Assistant Director of Ceremonies and inner Guard.
The first regular meeting was held on Thursday, 6th September, 1945.
Founder Members
W.Bro. George Francis Bell PPGR, Trustee. |
W.Bro Arthur Edward Brown PPGD, Trustee. |
W.Bro Joseph Arnold Richardson PPDG, Sw BR, Trustee. |
W.Bro Christian Fenwick PPGW. |
W.Bro George Arnold Linsley. |
W.Bro Henry Lowery. |
W. Bro Henry Lowery. |
W.Bro John Barnett Mennie. |
Bro Graham Adam |
Bro John Richard Appleby. |
Bro. Lloyd Edgar Bell. |
Bro. David Alfred Beisterfield. |
Bro. William Johnston Craggs. |
Bro. Herbert Fletcher Donkin. |
Bro. Walter Scott Duncan. |
Bro. John Fields. |
Bro. Richard Donkin Hunter. |
Bro. James Edward Donkin Hunter. |
Bro. Tom Hall Keenleyside. |
Bro. John Keillor. |
Bro. George Harrington King. |
Bro. Hugh John McQuillen. |
Bro. Vivian James Martin. |
Bro. Wilson Peacock. |
Bro. John James Richardson. |
Bro. Sidney Milton Sawyers. |
Bro. Charles Henry Sedgley. |
Bro. Norman Steel. |
Bro. Alan Storey. |
Bro. Robert Taylor. |
Bro. George Goodwill Whittington |
Bro. Frederick John Noust Wilkens. |
With the drawing of peace and the demobilisation of the Armed Forces, there was a pent-up demand for membership of the Lodge: consequently potential members had to wait for several years before their application for membership could be considered. In those early years membership was restricted to those who had served in the Armed Forces and each of the three Armed Services was well represented.
After the inauguration of the Lodge, meetings were held in the East Masonic Lodge Temple, Stephenson Road in the Heaton area of Newcastle. This Stately edifice of Freemasonry unfortunately had to be demolished for road improvements in 1966 and temporary accomodation was provided in the Banqueting Hall, Jesmond Dene, until the present Temple at Headlam Street, Newcastle was completed in 1967; we have met there ever since.
The Large numbers in the Lodge and the continuing demand for membership after the move to Headlam Street, resulted in long delays in progressing to the Masters Chair and a long waiting list of potential candidates. The maximum number was therefore restricted to 100 to avoid the possibility that the harmony of the Lodge might be disturbed by disappointed or disaffected members.
During the 70s and 80s support and enthusiasm for the Lodge dwindled and members fell to below 50, no doubt reflecting the social changes which occured on Tyneside and in the country as a whole. During the same period the Lodge lost a significant number of experienced and enthusiastic Past Masters and this time could be said to mark, with some notable surviving exceptions, the end of the first generation of Lodge members.
The 90s saw a slight revival with numbers stabalising around 50 and encouragingly, all the working officers' posts filled by master masons.
By the time of the Jubilee the Lodge had created 215 Freemasons to add to the 31 founding members. During the 50 years the Lodge had been led by 47 Worshipfull Masters and had contributed 41 members to the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland and 3 members to the United Grand Lodge of England.
The Lodge is indepted to the numerous Bretherin who have contributed to its development and to the welfare of its members. Such dedication should provide inspiation for its succesors over the next half century to continue to run the Lodge in peace and harmony and to carry the torch of Freemasonry into their own everyday lives and into the society in which they live.
Taken from the Historical review(1945-1995) St Oswald Lodge Golden Jubilee. Written by T. Leask PG StB Trustee. Provided by Mr G Milley, Secretary St Oswald Lodge.