Royal Victoria Lodge No 1013 is a proud lodge with a fascinating history, having been consecrated in 1864 in Hope Street, Liverpool and has continued to meet at the Masonic Hall for an impressive 152 years. The first master being Tysylio Johnson in 1864, and as with many lodges the list of past masters brings evocative thoughts as to the history and stories within every lodge that remain unspoken.
As would be expected, a Liverpool lodge would naturally have a maritime connection, and an entry in the Masonic Great War project describes the greatest disaster in the history of the Liverpool Pilot Service, the sinking of the S S Alfred H. Read and the death of lodge member, Robert Taggart, Pilot First Class in 1917.
On a fine crisp early wintry morning on December 28 1917, the S S Alfred Read was on patrol, south of the bar lightship, the majority of the 25 crew and pilots not being required for duty had retired. Number three Pilot Ship, which in close proximity recorded a loud explosion at 03:15am and hastily proceeded to the spot, to find that the ship had already sunk and recovered only three survivors. Two pilot apprentices and a Marconi wireless operator were recovered from the water, with sadly one of the apprentices later dying of exposure.
The cause of the explosion was found to be a mine laid by German submarine No UC-75, which according to the official record was responsible for 57 ships sunk, both merchant and Royal Navy, eventually being sunk a year later by HMS Fairy, who herself sank shortly afterwards having rammed the submarine. Seven Freemasons perished on board the S S Alfred Read, and in the Great War, five brethren from the lodge are recorded as making the ultimate sacrifice. It is a reminder of the history of lodges and the story of the names of past masters and brethren of all our lodges.
Moving forward to the present, the brethren and guests gathered at Liverpool Masonic Hall, for another chapter in the history of the lodge, the installation of a new master. The lodge was opened in fine form by stand-in master Tom Kelly, assisted by his wardens, Stephen Lee and Ray Sephton. Having proceeded to the third degree, the announcement was given that Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James stood without. John James was admitted accompanied by Liverpool Group Chairman David Johnson, Provincial Assistant Grand Standard Bearer David Douglas and Provincial Grand Steward Colin Higginson.
Presenting officers Jeff Hodge and Mark Powell, presented master elect Stephen Lee to installing master Tom. Stephen recited his obligation with impressive clarity and poise, and Tom then proceeded to conduct the ceremony of installation displaying a knowledge of ceremony second to none, and with manifest sincerity, installed Stephen into the chair of King Solomon.
The Board of Installed Masters having been closed, as is usual custom, master Masons were admitted bringing their own salutations to a newly installed master, and lodge steward Jonathan Northover was called forward to deliver the working tools of a master Mason, which he did with impressive fluidity and confidence.
Master Stephen having resumed labour in the second degree, called for admission of fellow crafts, and upon completion of salutations, lodge steward, Geert Van Bommel, was directed to advance and delivered the working tools of a fellow craft Freemason, acquitting himself admirably in the longer form of the address.
Labour was then resumed in the first degree, and entered apprentices admitted. The apprentices having been instructed in the proper salutations of that degree to installed master Stephen, a recently initiated brother, Adrian Hunt was invited to advance and rendered the working tools of an entered apprentice Freemason, with remarkable confidence and accuracy, a very commendable effort for so new a member of the Craft.
At the culmination of the installation ceremony, Assistant Provincial Grand Master John James rose to bring the congratulations of the Provincial Grand Master, as well as his personal congratulations, exclaiming that the ceremony was conducted extremely well and particularly the light blue brethren who had delivered the tools so well. Master Stephen, asked John to accept donations on behalf of the charities, for which the lodge has donated £900 to charitable causes, including the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity, Liverpool Masonic Hall Foodbank appeal, Priority Youth Project, Claire House Hospice, Prostrate Cancer UK, Willowbrook Hospice, and Dementia UK, demonstrating not only the lodge’s commitment to charitable causes but also their engagement within the community itself. John thanked Stephen and the brethren of the lodge for their very kind donations.
Lodge business being concluded, all retired to dinner in the adjacent dining room, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was had by all. Master Stephen, in response to the toast to his health, commented that it was his honour and pleasure to take the chair of the lodge again, following his previous installation in 2019, and that it was a team effort and with initiations and further ceremonies planned, it’s only left to say: “Well done, Victoria.”
Story by Mike Fox.