Masonic Blogs – A Band of Brotherhood

Beauchamp Lodge No.1422 – The West Kent Military Lodge – a Band of Brotherhood

The lodge was formed 150 years ago, as a Masonic home for the Brethren passing through the military depot and engineering college at Roorkee in Northern India.

Initially nearly all the lodge’s members were drawn from the British Indian Army; but over the years it has been a Masonic home for many distinguished civil and military figures, including Rajas and a holder of the Victoria Cross.

The Beauchamp Lodge has during its 150 year history seen some difficult times; but in true military fashion it has always looked to its strengths, and been ready to move forward again.

Now is such a time, as building upon its unique history and military ethos the lodge aims to become the West Kent meeting place for Brethren with military connections or an interest in military history.

Like their forebears the present lodge members are very proud of Freemasonry’s military heritage; they will look to actively preserve many old military Masonic customs, and maybe even create a few new ones!

They intend to both work hard and play hard; and in so doing create their own ‘Jhadughor’, or ‘magic room’, right here in Wilmington.

An introduction to Beauchamp Lodge No. 1422 by Mark Eyles-Thomas, PDPGM West Kent, Member of Beauchamp Lodge

Mark Eyles-Thomas, PDPGM West Kent, Member of Beauchamp Lodge

Every lodge has a story to tell; about how it came in to being, the men who were its founders, and of course its Masonic journey through the succeeding years.

Many lodges have followed broadly similar paths; but there are a few that have unique and extraordinary tales to tell, the Beauchamp Lodge is undoubtedly one such lodge.

This presentation will take you back through the lodge’s colourful history to a time when tigers roamed the jungle, and Maharajas ruled in India.

When British officers were celebrated for their chivalry and valour; and proudly served both their countries and Freemasonry.

I invite you to sit back and lose yourself in the events of the lodge’s long history, to revel in the accomplishments of its members, and marvel at their valour.

The present day core values of our military are known by the acronym C-DRILS;

Courage
Discipline
Respect for others
Integrity
Loyalty
Selfless commitment

Values that are also embodied in Freemasonry’s tenets; indeed both organisations have an ‘esprit de corps’ that it is hard to find elsewhere in the modern world.

If you find yourself stirred by the deeds of the lodge’s past members, why not peruse this lodge website further and also visit our other social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube to find out even more; or perhaps grasp the opportunity to become a member of this unique West Kent Military Lodge yourself, and not just celebrate its past but help to create its future.

When the Beauchamp Lodge next issues its traditional challenge of “Who calls the Tiger?”, will you have the courage to step forward?

The square magazine digital collection

Who calls the Tiger?

The founding lodge members came from a mixture of Masonic backgrounds, so at their meetings there were some unusual customs and practices. Such as referring to the Master’s Chair as the ‘Eastern Chair’, and using ‘ballot bones’ for balloting. They may also have copied some lively dining customs from the many different regiments that passed through Roorkee.

One unique custom for Beauchamp Lodge is the Festive Board Challenge – Who Calls The Tiger? The custom apparently originates from when the lodge was out in India. Some of the lodge meetings were held out in neighbouring villages (outside) and, as there was a real threat of Tigers, to dissuade the wild animals wandering into the lodge area (intentionally or unintentionally) they would post guards, armed with a revolver and a bayonet and these outer guards would occasionally shout out to each other:

First Challenger: “Who calls the Tiger?”

First Responder: “I call the Tiger”

Second Responder: “One for the Tiger”

All three: “Hurrah!!!”

This has now evolved into a Festive Board Challenge (after a toast is given to the Province of Bengal)

Worshipful Master: “Who calls the tiger?”

Senior Warden: “I call the tiger”

Junior Warden:  “One for the tiger”

Everyone: “Hurrah!!!”

Contents of the website

The website has a huge array of information:

History – Bobbie and the Biscuit Boys written by Clive Moore, Cornwallis Lecturer for the Provinces of Kentdiscover how Bobbie travelled with his master and the 66th Regiment to Kandahar in Afghanistan in 1870. Both Bobbie and his master survived the Battle of Maiwand.

News – did you know that forty-six of the British Army’s Corps and Regimental cap badges showing His Majesty The King’s cypher have been unveiled!

Member Profiles – check out the ‘Secret’ Profile section to get to know the members and discover their military, civilian, and Masonic journeys.

Veterans Support

A military lodge with a vibrant history, this remarkable Band of Brothers reveal their own stories – both military and Masonic – and sincerely ‘walk the talk’.

Their charitable endeavours are impressive, offering relief and support for veterans, and highlighting the struggles of those who have bravely served.

You can read more here:  https://www.militarylodge1422.org.uk/category/veterans-support/

Editors Note:

This is one of the most poignant and important Masonic lodge websites I have found whilst researching this series – not only does it address the usual formalities for those wishing to know more about Freemasonry and offering the opportunity to join, it embodies the true spirit of Freemasonry – Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.

All images and text via BEAUCHAMP LODGE 1422 – The West Kent Military Lodge
(unless otherwise stated)