St. Patrick’s Lodge No. 295
Past Master's Jewel 1957
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Obverse of Jewel
A nice silver Compass and Square Past Master's neck Jewel.
The jewel itself is suspended from a silver badge, which is actually a miniature star of the Order of St. Patrick, which was founded on the 17th March, 1783 [See Footnote]. The Star comprises the cross of St Patrick, a red saltire on a white background, with the motto "Quis Separabit" (Who will separate [us]) above the cross and below the cross "MDCCLXXXIII" (1783) the year the Order was founded. On the cross is a green enamelled shamrock with a crown on each leaf.
[Footnote]
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Order of St. Patrick
The Order was founded in 1783, a year after the grant of substantial autonomy to Ireland, as a means of rewarding (or obtaining) political support in the Irish Parliament. The Order of the Bath, founded in 1725, was instituted for similar reasons. The statutes of the Order restricted membership to men who were both knights and gentlemen, the latter being defined as having three generations of "noblesse" (i.e. ancestors bearing coats of arms) on both their father's and mother's side. In practice however only Irish Peers (and occasionally foreign princes) were ever appointed to the Order. The cross of St Patrick (a red saltire on a white background) was chosen as one of the symbols of the Order. A flag of this design was later used semi-officially to represent Ireland from that time until the Act of Union 1800, when it was incorporated into the Union Flag. Its association with St. Patrick or with Ireland prior to the foundation of the Order is unclear, however. One of the first knights was the 2nd Duke of Leinster (Grand Master 1770 - 1722 and 1777 - 1778), whose arms carry the same cross.
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St. Patrick’s Lodge No. 295.
St Patrick’s Lodge is a Travelling Military Lodge which meets under a warrant issued by the Grand Lodge of Ireland and is warranted to The Royal Dragoon Guards who are a British Army Cavalry Regiment. The Lodge exists primarily for past and present members of the Regiment but applications from others to join are considered subject to the rules laid down by the Grand Lodge of Ireland.
St Patrick’s Lodge is without doubt a unique lodge as it is the only true Travelling Military Lodge remaining of over 600 previously issued to various regiments and corps by the 3 principle Grand Lodges. The Lodge warrant was issued in 1758 to the 1st (Irish) Horse and now by amalgamation of regiments belongs to the Royal Dragoon Guards which formed in August 1992. Wherever this regiment travels so does the Warrant of the Lodge as the authority required under the Grand Lodge of Ireland to hold meetings. St Patrick’s is also unusual in that it does not come under a District or Provincial Lodge, but comes directly under the Grand Lodge of Ireland itself.
St Patrick’s Lodge is without doubt a unique lodge as it is the only true Travelling Military Lodge remaining of over 600 previously issued to various regiments and corps by the 3 principle Grand Lodges. The Lodge warrant was issued in 1758 to the 1st (Irish) Horse and now by amalgamation of regiments belongs to the Royal Dragoon Guards which formed in August 1992. Wherever this regiment travels so does the Warrant of the Lodge as the authority required under the Grand Lodge of Ireland to hold meetings. St Patrick’s is also unusual in that it does not come under a District or Provincial Lodge, but comes directly under the Grand Lodge of Ireland itself.
History of St. Patrick's Lodge No. 295.
The Warrant of Saint Patrick’s Lodge No. 295 issued to Andrew Watts; James Leatham and Robert Sanderson to form "St. Patrick's Lodge" in The 1st IRISH HORSE OR THE BLUE HORSE, 24th June 1758.
Charles Moore, Viscount Moore,
6th Earl and 2nd Marquis of Drogheda, Grand Master, 1758. |
The Warrant was signed by “Right Hon. Charles, Viscount Moore, Grand Master; John Burry, Esq., D.G.M.; Major Edward Windus and Charles Gardner, Esqrs., Grand Wardens.”
The Regiment was at this time under the command of Lieut. General Brown. [From a photograph of the original Warrant presented to the Lodge of Research CC.] The Second series Vol. 2 of the Grand lodge Register shows concerning Lodge 295 - "Warrant No. 295 to 1st Regt. of Horse 24th June, 1758, now 4th Dragoon Guards". Meeting at "Price's", Horse Barracks Gate, DUBLIN 1818. |
Letter to Deputy Grand Secretary dated 23rd June, 1828 from Joseph Donegan.
"In consequence of our late march from Dorchester to Exeter as well as other military duties, 295 has not been able to meet as usual, consequently the returns of Officers for the next half yr. is later than it should be: not from neglect but unavoidable circumstances."
112 Members were registered by Grand Lodge up to 19th June, 1830
The Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 6th May, 1835 regarding Lodge 295 show -
"The Deputy Grand Secretary stated that the remaining Members of Lodge 295 had sent in their Warrant to the Grand Lodge, and also a donation of One Guinea for the Orphan School. Ordered that same be received and acknowledged".
"In consequence of our late march from Dorchester to Exeter as well as other military duties, 295 has not been able to meet as usual, consequently the returns of Officers for the next half yr. is later than it should be: not from neglect but unavoidable circumstances."
112 Members were registered by Grand Lodge up to 19th June, 1830
The Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 6th May, 1835 regarding Lodge 295 show -
"The Deputy Grand Secretary stated that the remaining Members of Lodge 295 had sent in their Warrant to the Grand Lodge, and also a donation of One Guinea for the Orphan School. Ordered that same be received and acknowledged".
St. Patrick's Lodge continued working within the Regiment until May 1835 when, for reasons not recorded, the Warrant was sent in to be laid up in the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and "labours" came, temporarily, to an end. At this date the Master was Captain Edward Hodge, who as "Little Hodge" led the Regiment at Balaclava and became its Colonel. |
Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge, 1850.
This portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Hodge was painted by F. Salabert in 1850, two years after he had assumed command of the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards. |
The Minutes of the Grand Lodge Board of General Purposes dated 31st December 1877 show in relation to "Lodge 295" that a Memorial was -
"Read from Bro. Major Shaw-Hellier, John Hanly, Vet. Surg., Capt. Laurence Murphy and other brethren of the Fourth Royal Irish Dragoon Guards praying for a reissue of old Warrant No. 295, 4th Dragoon Guards which had been sent in in Trust in 1835 Recommended by Lodges 47, 215 and 570. The Fee of £10 enclosed. The Board recommend that the prayer of the Memorialists be granted."
The Grand Lodge acted on this recommendation and The Grand Lodge Minutes of 3rd January 1878 show - "Confirmed".
The Warrant returned to the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, 7th January, 1878.
[At the foot of the Warrant is the following Endorsement:- "This Warrant re-issued January 1878 to Bros. Thos. Shaw-Hellier, John Hanly and Lawrence Murphy (4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards). Signed Saml. Olsham, Dep. Grand Sec., 11th Jan. 1878.]
Extracts from the Records of Lodge St. Patrick 295 I.C.
"Newbridge - 3rd April, 1878 Lodge 295 St Patrick, 4th R.I. Dragoon Guards.
The Lodge was opened in due form in the First Degree.
The Secretary read the minutes of the Meeting of Lodge No. 570, 5th Dragoon Guards of 14th January, 1878 at which Meeting the Warrant of No. 295 St. Patrick's Lodge was presented to the Brethren of the 4th Dragoon Guards, and the Lodge constituted in due form and Saluted.
"Read from Bro. Major Shaw-Hellier, John Hanly, Vet. Surg., Capt. Laurence Murphy and other brethren of the Fourth Royal Irish Dragoon Guards praying for a reissue of old Warrant No. 295, 4th Dragoon Guards which had been sent in in Trust in 1835 Recommended by Lodges 47, 215 and 570. The Fee of £10 enclosed. The Board recommend that the prayer of the Memorialists be granted."
The Grand Lodge acted on this recommendation and The Grand Lodge Minutes of 3rd January 1878 show - "Confirmed".
The Warrant returned to the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, 7th January, 1878.
[At the foot of the Warrant is the following Endorsement:- "This Warrant re-issued January 1878 to Bros. Thos. Shaw-Hellier, John Hanly and Lawrence Murphy (4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards). Signed Saml. Olsham, Dep. Grand Sec., 11th Jan. 1878.]
Extracts from the Records of Lodge St. Patrick 295 I.C.
"Newbridge - 3rd April, 1878 Lodge 295 St Patrick, 4th R.I. Dragoon Guards.
The Lodge was opened in due form in the First Degree.
The Secretary read the minutes of the Meeting of Lodge No. 570, 5th Dragoon Guards of 14th January, 1878 at which Meeting the Warrant of No. 295 St. Patrick's Lodge was presented to the Brethren of the 4th Dragoon Guards, and the Lodge constituted in due form and Saluted.
Bro. Thomas Bradney Shaw-Hellier was then installed Wor. Master for the usual time, and saluted according to ancient custom. Bro. Hanly proposed that a vote of thanks be conveyed to the W.M. and Brethren of Lodge No. 215 for their kind assistance in giving the use of their Lodge Room, and also for the aid given in constitution the Lodge, seconded by the W.M. and carried unanimously." [At the time of his Installation Bro. Shaw-Hellier was a Major and Second-in-Command of the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards] |
It is notified that on the re-consecration of Lodge No. 295 the Worshipful Master presented to the Brethren a case containing a Silver Trowel, Square, Compasses, Ivory Maul and Ten Collars with the Star of St. Patrick. [These are still in possession of the Lodge]
A total of 82 brethren registered up to 15th November, 1899. In most cases the dates when the degrees were conferred and the issue of certificates is shown.
The Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 5th June 1879 show in regard to Lodge 295 -
"5 June, 1879 – Read a Communication from Lodge 295 Fourth Dragoon Guards for permission to use as a Jewel for the W.M., a Jewel which belonged to the Old Lodge. The Jewel, a sketch of which was enclosed, is a Past Masters jewel and the Board have directed that the Lodge be informed that the correct Jewel for the W.M. to wear is the Square – but that the Jewel referred to may be worn by the Immediate Past Master of the Lodge"
The Regiment transferred to Ireland in 1887 and one meeting was held at the Royal Barracks and eight at the Masonic Hall, Molesworth Street.
In 1888 nine meetings were held in the Masonic Hall and two further at the Royal Barracks.
One hundred and six members served in the 1914 -18 War and Bros. J. Attenborough, Lieut. A. Hunt, W. Johnstone, R.C. McFarlane, A.J. Pegler, F.C. Talbot, Lieut. M. Thwaithes and E.G. Whiteman made the supreme sacrifice.
Series five Vol. 19 shown as Vol. 3 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:- Warrant No. 295 to 4th Dragoon Guards as “St. Patrick’s Lodge”. This Register commences with the registration William W. Linfield, Soldier, registered 12th December, 1923.
On the 14th June, 1924 it was proposed and seconded that the Lodge continue to use the English Constitution ritual during the Second World War The Lodge Warrant No. 295 remained in the United Kingdom and was put in charge of V.W. Bro. Captain Thos. E. Johnston so it could be carried on in the best possible manner and this was done as set forth. One meeting was held at the Clarendon Restaurant, Hammersmith in 1940 when V.W. Bro. Thos. E. Johnston Affiliated, he being a member of several Lodges mainly in the Irish Constitution. He was appointed, by Grand Lodge, as Past-Master in Charge of the Lodge. It was at this meeting that it was proposed and seconded that Members serving with the Forces should be excused paying dues for the duration of the War, and this was Carried. Few meetings were held during the War but the ones that could be arranged were well supported by members of the Lodge, when available, and visiting brethren.
In 1946 three meetings were held and regrettably at one V.W. Bro. T.E. Johnston, who had served St. Patrick's Lodge valiantly throughout hostilities, stated that as the War was over and the Regiment was about to undertake a tour of Foreign Service he was no longer in a position to act as Treasurer and Secretary.
He had joined St. Patrick's Lodge to carry out the directions of the Deputy Grand Master relative to the continuance of the Lodge during the late War, and he now desired to tender his resignation to take effect immediately the Lodge went abroad. He was subsequently made an Honorary Member of the Lodge and he said he would continue with his duties until the Lodge re-established itself.
A total of 131 brethren registered up to 16th November, 1946. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation or the rank of the brother.
One further registration that of Lt. Col. Roderick G. Lawrence on affiliation from Lodge No. 3548 EC, received his G.L. Certificate dated 26th October, 1953. No date of his registration in this lodge.
Series six Vol. 21 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-
"Warrant No. 295 to 4th Dragoon Guards (Scored Out) 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards (Amalgamation of Regiments and Battalions in Her Majesty’s Army 1 January, 1958) as “St. Patrick’s Lodge".
This particular register commences with the registration of Reginald C. Dougherty. W.O. II, registered 12 February, 1955 (in Lodge No. 570).
In 1958 a Special Committee was set up to ensure that the St. Patrick's Lodge Bi-Centenary celebrations went according to plan and also to ensure that the Lodge history was printed prior to the Bi-Centenary meeting.
A total of 156 brethren registered up to 12th July, 1984. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation and military rank of the brother.
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.
[The above is only a very small extract of the Lodge History - for a more complete History please purchase IRISH MASONIC RECORDS - see Acknowledgments as how to purchase same.]