Lodge History

Elmbridge Freemasons Lodge History

Early in 1941, sufficient progress had been made to justify an approach to Surbiton Lodge No. 2146 to become the sponsoring lodge, which they readily agreed to do. The first title or name suggested was Surbiton Civil Defence Lodge, as it was the desire of the founders to have a name which would associate the lodge with Surbiton and the Civil Defence. However, the name was not acceptable to Grand Lodge because only names of a permanent nature could be used.

Some difficulty was experienced in finding an alternative title or name which would at least associate the lodge with Surbiton, until someone suggested ‘Elmbridge’—the name of the principal telephone exchange serving the borough.

The lodge crest, incorporating an elm tree, a bridge and the quadrants from the Civil Defence badge, and the motto “Pro Civium Salute” (in defence of the people), was designed by the founders to perpetuate as near as possible their original ideas.

The ceremony of consecration took place at the Masonic Hall, Surbiton, on Tuesday, 22nd July 1941. The consecrating officer was Right Worshipful Brother Lieutenant Colonel H.A. Mann, O.B.E., M.C., P.G.D., Provincial Grand Master of Surrey, assisted by Worshipful Brother H.B. Longley, F.S.I., P.A.G.D.C., Assistant Provincial Grand Master. The first Master of Elmbridge Lodge was Worshipful Brother M.S.M. Rhodes.

An interesting fact about the consecration is that the actual warrant of the lodge could not be presented to the Worshipful Master, as the Most Worshipful Grand Master H.R.H. The Duke of Kent, K.G., who was on active service, had not been able to complete the warrant by appending his signature thereto.

In place of the warrant, a letter from the Grand Secretary was read, and this letter authorised the substitution of a copy of the warrant being used for the concluding part of the Ceremony of Installation.