Glittering Star Lodge No. 322
Bi-Centenary Jewel 1959
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Obverse of Jewel
An unnamed silver gilt Bi-Centenary Jewel suspended from a white ribbon
with a green stripe and by four silver gilt bars.
with a green stripe and by four silver gilt bars.
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The Jewel is silver gilt and is suspended from a crown and comprises of a star, which represents the badge of the Worcestershire Regiment, which is the Star of the Order of the Garter, and within is the Compass and Square upon a plinth with the words "29th Regiment" on the circumference and the motto 'FIRM' below the plinth. |
A Brief History of Glittering Star Lodge No. 322
The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th Foot)
The Warrant of Lodge no. 322 Issued to the brethren in The 29th Regiment of Foot whilst stationed in County Kilkenny, on the 3rd May 1759. Volume 1 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers record nine brethren registered 3rd May 1759 including George Macartney, Master, Alexander Willson and Joseph Alcock Wardens.
Glittering Star Lodge No. 322 of the 29th Regiment of Foot along with others inaugurated the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (Ancients) in Boston on the 27th December, 1769.
Thus an Irish Lodge still existent can claim a share in one of the most important events in the history of one of the greatest American Constitutions.
Meeting at Richmond Barracks, DUBLIN 1822.
A total of 190 brethren were registered here up to 26th January, 1831.
Concerning Lodge No. 322 the Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 3rd March, 1831 -
"Read the Application of Lodge 322 to be permitted to receive respectable people of colour in the Mauritius, notwithstanding they are not military men. Leave granted."
The Warrant of Lodge No. 322 was Renewed on the 13th November, 1854.
Glittering Star Lodge No. 322 of the 29th Regiment of Foot along with others inaugurated the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (Ancients) in Boston on the 27th December, 1769.
Thus an Irish Lodge still existent can claim a share in one of the most important events in the history of one of the greatest American Constitutions.
Meeting at Richmond Barracks, DUBLIN 1822.
A total of 190 brethren were registered here up to 26th January, 1831.
Concerning Lodge No. 322 the Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 3rd March, 1831 -
"Read the Application of Lodge 322 to be permitted to receive respectable people of colour in the Mauritius, notwithstanding they are not military men. Leave granted."
The Warrant of Lodge No. 322 was Renewed on the 13th November, 1854.
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On the 4th April, 1855 Colonel George Congreve, CB., (596 EC); Capt. Hugh George Colville (609 EC) and Capt. Aug. A. Dick (No. 1 SC) together with seven others all apart from one, a Bro. Henry Evans Quinn, Lodge 201, were registered however there is no indication as to Master or Wardens. Apart from the first three their army ranks are not shown. Colonel George Congreve was probably Worshipful Master in 1855, with Captains Colville and Dick, Senior and Junior Wardens repectively. |
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"In the year 1864 the 29th Foot was quartered in Newry, and on the 6th October, our Lodge [Lodge 18] was visited by Bros. Wm. Scott and Fredk. Middleton, who "expressed their intention of resuscitating" the regimental Lodge No. 322, when "it was resolved that any assistance that they may require will be afforded by No. XVIII." On the 5th January 1865, "a letter was read from Bro. Grace, 29th Regiment, Secretary to Military Lodge No. 322, in which the members of that Lodge expressed their thanks to Lodge XVIII for their kindness in assisting to re-open that Lodge, and particularly to Past Master Bro. J.F. Erskine, for his readiness in affording assistance at all times." Bro. Middleton, here referred to, afterwards became Major-General Sir Frederick D. Middleton KCMG, C.B.
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Major-General Sir Frederick D. Middleton KCMG, C.B.
(2nd November, 1825 - 25th January, 1898) |
The Lodge was known as `St. John's Lodge' in 1870.
The Minutes of G. L. dated 7th February, 1878 concerning Lodge 322 show -
"Read a Memorial from Lodge 322, H.M. 29th Regiment for permission to wear a Centenary Jewel. It appearing that Lodge 322 has been continuously working since 1759 in the same Regiment, the Board recommend that the permission asked for be granted. The design of the Jewel to be approved by the Board".
From the Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 7th March, 1878 in regard to Lodge 322 show -
"Read Memorial from Lodge No. 322 H.M. 29th Regiment for permission to adopt the name of “The Glittering Star Lodge”. The Board recommend that permission be granted. Confirmed".
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 29th April, 1878 re: Lodge 322 read -
"The Sketch of a Centenary Jewel for Lodge No. 322, 29th Regiment, submitted and approved of by the Board. G.L.M. - 2nd May, 1878 – Confirmed."
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 29th January, 1894 -
"Lodge 322 - 29 January, 1894 - Read letter from Lodge 322 29th Regiment for permission to meet in the Regimental School in Rampter, India, where the regiment is stationed. Granted."
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 30th April 1900 -
"Lodge 322 - 30 April, 1900 – Read an Application from the W.M. and Six other members of Lodge 322 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment for permission to hold the Lodge meetings in the 3rd and 4th Battalions while the 1st in on active service in South Africa. The W.M. being able to form a quorum of members is entitled to hold Communications of the Lodge."
There is no return for the 1914 -18 War.
A total of 108 brethren registered up to 13th October, 1923. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the rank of the brother.
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 29th November 1920 -
"Lodge 322 - 29 November, 1920 – Worcestershire Regt. Submitting Centenary Jewel. Approved.Although a Regimental Lodge, the Centenary Jewel shows a Naval Crown. It is used by the Worcestershire Regiment as part of their Badge to commemorate the "Glorious 1st of June, 1794" when the Regiment served aboard ship under Lord Howe."
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 21st September 1938 --
"Lodge 322 - 21 September, 1938 – Read letter from Lodge 332, 1st Bn. The Worcestershire Regiment, submitting design of Jewel to commemorate the Meeting of the Lodge in The Tower of London, June, 1938. Approved."
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 22nd May 1940 -
"Lodge 322 - 22 May, 1940 – Read letter from Lodge 322, The Worcestershire Regiment, submitting sketch of proposed Silver Collar for the Worshipful Master. This was approved by the Board."
A total of 111 brethren registered up to 6th December, 1952. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation and rank of the brother. The lodge shows the registration of many affiliates from other Constitutions.
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 20th May, 1970 -
"Lodge 322 - 20 May, 1970 – The Board noted that Lodge No. 322, 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, due to the amalgamation of the Regiment would now be described as “Glittering Star Lodge No. 322”, 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment."
In the late 1970s, for many reasons the Lodge was in difficulties and it was clear that the Lodge would not survive without aid from outside the Battalion. Tthe last meeting held within the Battalion was in March 1977 and only eight members were present.
The Minutes of G. L. dated 7th February, 1878 concerning Lodge 322 show -
"Read a Memorial from Lodge 322, H.M. 29th Regiment for permission to wear a Centenary Jewel. It appearing that Lodge 322 has been continuously working since 1759 in the same Regiment, the Board recommend that the permission asked for be granted. The design of the Jewel to be approved by the Board".
From the Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 7th March, 1878 in regard to Lodge 322 show -
"Read Memorial from Lodge No. 322 H.M. 29th Regiment for permission to adopt the name of “The Glittering Star Lodge”. The Board recommend that permission be granted. Confirmed".
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 29th April, 1878 re: Lodge 322 read -
"The Sketch of a Centenary Jewel for Lodge No. 322, 29th Regiment, submitted and approved of by the Board. G.L.M. - 2nd May, 1878 – Confirmed."
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 29th January, 1894 -
"Lodge 322 - 29 January, 1894 - Read letter from Lodge 322 29th Regiment for permission to meet in the Regimental School in Rampter, India, where the regiment is stationed. Granted."
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 30th April 1900 -
"Lodge 322 - 30 April, 1900 – Read an Application from the W.M. and Six other members of Lodge 322 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment for permission to hold the Lodge meetings in the 3rd and 4th Battalions while the 1st in on active service in South Africa. The W.M. being able to form a quorum of members is entitled to hold Communications of the Lodge."
There is no return for the 1914 -18 War.
A total of 108 brethren registered up to 13th October, 1923. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the rank of the brother.
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 29th November 1920 -
"Lodge 322 - 29 November, 1920 – Worcestershire Regt. Submitting Centenary Jewel. Approved.Although a Regimental Lodge, the Centenary Jewel shows a Naval Crown. It is used by the Worcestershire Regiment as part of their Badge to commemorate the "Glorious 1st of June, 1794" when the Regiment served aboard ship under Lord Howe."
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 21st September 1938 --
"Lodge 322 - 21 September, 1938 – Read letter from Lodge 332, 1st Bn. The Worcestershire Regiment, submitting design of Jewel to commemorate the Meeting of the Lodge in The Tower of London, June, 1938. Approved."
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 22nd May 1940 -
"Lodge 322 - 22 May, 1940 – Read letter from Lodge 322, The Worcestershire Regiment, submitting sketch of proposed Silver Collar for the Worshipful Master. This was approved by the Board."
A total of 111 brethren registered up to 6th December, 1952. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation and rank of the brother. The lodge shows the registration of many affiliates from other Constitutions.
From the Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 20th May, 1970 -
"Lodge 322 - 20 May, 1970 – The Board noted that Lodge No. 322, 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, due to the amalgamation of the Regiment would now be described as “Glittering Star Lodge No. 322”, 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment."
In the late 1970s, for many reasons the Lodge was in difficulties and it was clear that the Lodge would not survive without aid from outside the Battalion. Tthe last meeting held within the Battalion was in March 1977 and only eight members were present.
W.Bro. Lieut.-Colonel Frederick Victory Henry Lynch, M.B.E.
(22nd September, 1927 - 22nd January, 2005) |
A letter to senior members of the Lodge from W. Bro. Major F.V.H. Lynch MBE, dated 19th July 1979 made it clear the situation was very serious; indeed very much more serious than had been thought possible. He suggested that the Grand Secretary be approached requesting that the Lodge be based, once again, in the Midlands hoping that possibly within a few years it could well be able to move back to the Regiment once again. |
He pointed out that no embarrassment must fall on the Grand Lodge in view of the Concordat of 1908 and that they required to find some compromise to keep the Lodge alive.
The re-establishment of the Lodge must be credited to the small Committee in general and its Secretary in particular. The co-operation of the three Midland Provinces of Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire, who kindly allowed the Lodge to use its Travelling Warrant within those Provinces whilst the Regiment was in Germany without sufficient Lodge members to hold a meeting.
The Regiment returned to the U.K. in October 1985, for a period of three years and this together with considerable effort by the local brethren has ensured that the old Travelling Warrant remains active.
From the Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 6th June 1996 -
"Lodge 322 - 6 June, 1996 – Lodge presents a Jewel to be worn by the Immediate Past Grand Master."
From 1984 the registration of members is held, in alphabetical order, in a computerised register by Grand Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Registration of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Secretary of Lodges are held in separate Registers, the first Volume covering the period 1983 to 1994 inclusive and the second Volume covering from 1995 to date.
[Footnote]
[The above is a very short Lodge history of GLITTERING STAR LODGE NO. 322 THE WORCESTERSHIRE AND SHERWOOD FORESTERS REGIMENT (29th/45th FOOT) - a more comprehensive history can be accessed through the following Link - Lodge History of Glittering Star Lodge No. 322 which is reproduced courtesy of IRISH MASONIC RECORDS.
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A history of the 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th foot) can be accessed through the following Link ~ History of the 1st Battalion the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (29th/45th foot).
Details of when Glittering Star Lodge No. 322 meets.
As Glittering Star Lodge No. 322 has a Travelling Warrant it does not have a "Home" so to speak. The Lodge meets at various Masonic locations in the the United Kingdom as guests of local Lodges.
The time and place of their meetings are set out on their Website which can be accessed through the Following Link ~ Glittering Star Lodge No. 322.
The time and place of their meetings are set out on their Website which can be accessed through the Following Link ~ Glittering Star Lodge No. 322.
