History of Orient Lodge

The Birth of the Lodge

In 1919, the Permanent Committee of the Lodge of Unity No. 71 faced a long waiting list of candidates. W. Bro. G. S. Knocker suggested founding a new Lodge, which was met with enthusiasm. Founders from Lodge of Unity, St. Margaret’s No. 1452, and Stradbroke No. 3291 supported the proposal, passing resolutions and signing the application for the Warrant. Their numbers are inscribed on the original banner of the Lodge.

Orient Lodge adopted the Constitution, By-laws, and Ritual of Lodge of Unity, including musical interludes introduced by W. Bro. W. J. Wilton. The first Master and Wardens were Past Masters for experienced leadership: W. Bro. George Stodart Knocker (First Master), W. Bro. John Brooks Whaley, and W. Bro. Thomas Harrison (Wardens). Lodge of Unity No. 71 was both father and mother, assisting with gifts and support. The name ‘Orient’ was chosen for its distinctiveness in the most easterly part of England.

The Consecration of the Lodge

The Consecration Ceremony was held at St. Margaret’s Institute, Lowestoft, on 20 May 1920, with 178 Freemasons present. W. Bro. Owen Aly Clark, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, performed the ceremony, assisted by other distinguished brethren. The ceremony followed ancient custom and included the reading of the Warrant and musical arrangements.

After the Consecration, W. Bro. George Stodart Knocker was installed as the First Master, and the first Officers were appointed and invested. All Consecrating Officers were elected Honorary Members of the Lodge.

Presentations to the Lodge

• W.M’s Collar, Chain & Jewel; Bible and Dirk – W. Bro. G. S Knocker.
• P.M’s Collar & Jewel, and 2 Stewards Collars—W. Bro. J. B Whaley.
• Three Ebony & Ivory Gavels. Bro. T. Harrison.
• S.W’s Collar & Jewel—W. Bro. Kerry Rix.
• J.W’s Collar & Jewel—W. Bro. F. Robinson.
• Treasurer’s Collar & Jewel—W. Bro. G. Grieve.
• Chaplain’s Collar & Jewel—W. Bro. J. R. Pawley Smith.
• D of C’s Collar & Jewel—W. Bro. R. C. Todd.
• Asst. D. of C’s Collar & Jewel – W. Bro. J. Turner.
• Steward’s Collar & Jewel – W. Bro. W. F. Cockrell.
• Secretary’s Collar & Jewel – Bro. S. G. Edmonds.
• Asst. Secretary’s Collar & Jewel—Bro. W. A. Balls.
• Senior & Junior Deacon’s Collars & Jewels – Bro. W. J. Croft.
• Organist’s Collar & Jewel—Bro. W. J. Overy.
• Inner Guard’s Collar & Jewel—Bro. E. R. Long.
• Alms Dish—Bro. E. Norton.
• Silver Square & Compasses for Bible – Bro. John Grieve.
• I.G’s Square, 2nd degree Square, 3rd degree Level & Plumb-rule —Bro. F. Wale.
• Broken Column—Bro. A. S. Overy.
• Table for Tracing Boards—Bros. S. G. and C. S. Richards.

Anniversaries

75th Anniversary: 24th May 1995 at The Masonic Hall Lowestoft, with W.Bro. H J Watson as Worshipful Master.

100th Anniversary: Planned for 7th October 2020, postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and celebrated at a dinner in 2022.

Snippets

• By the Lodge’s 50th year, there were 152 Initiations and 55 Joining Members.
• Seven Founders, thirty-one Initiates, and eight Joining Members became Masters of the Lodge.
• Seventeen Lewises (sons of members) have been Initiated into the Lodge.
• The first Initiate, Bro. Ivan Kittle, although Warden for three years, did not become Master.
• The first Master Mason to become Master was Bro. Ernest Robert Long, a Founder, in 1923.
• The sixth Initiate, Bro. J. W. Searby, was the first Initiate to become Worshipful Master in 1929.
• During its first 50 years, the Lodge and its Members subscribed £6,000 to Masonic Institutions and the Hospital.
• The Annual Reciprocal Visitation to Waveney Lodge No. 929 began in May 1933, paused during WWII, and was revived in 1956.
• Since the first meeting, 22,187 Freemasons have attended, including 14,121 members and 8,066 visitors in the first fifty years.
• The Ballot Box was presented by W. Bro. George Stodart Knocker as a token of affection.
• The original Banner was replaced in 1967, designed by W. Bro. James W. Croft and executed by Bro. F. H. Green.
• 306 meetings were held at the Royal Hotel, 48 at the Hatfield Hotel, 39 at the Hotel Victoria, and 27 at the Lowestoft Masonic Hall. Six meetings were cancelled due to enemy activity during WWII. In total, 420 meetings were held in the first fifty years.
• Only four brethren present at the Consecration were alive at the fiftieth anniversary in Suffolk.
• 1961 was a record year for attendance, with 124 at the Installation of Bro. G. A. Read and 650 attending throughout the year.
• The year 2020, the Lodge’s 100th anniversary, was unusual due to COVID-19, causing all masonic activity to cease for many months.