THE KENSINGTON BATTALION LODGE
No.3624

THE FIRST FIFTY YEARS 1912-1962

THE YEAR 1962 is the Jubilee year of our Lodge, and it is fitting that the occasion should be marked by the publication of a short account of the Lodge during the past fifty years for the information of its members both present and, what is more important, future.  It cannot be of more than passing interest to anyone outside the Lodge but to those who are of the Lodge it
may prove informative and interesting as family chronicles always are.  

For the Kensington Battalion Lodge is very much a" family " affair, each member owing a dual allegiance to Freemasonry in general and the Regiment in particular. From the outset to the present day, membership has always been restricted to those who have served in the 13th London
Regiment, now known as Princess Louise's Kensington Regiment.  Such a regulation is by no means uncommon among military Lodges, but the Kensingtons have been fortunate in having no difficulty in adhering strictly to it.

When a Masonic Lodge is allied to an already existing loyalty, even closer bonds exist among the Brethren, for while Masonic work is carried through without any military trappings the after proceedings glow with a warm harmony accentuated by the close comradeship engendered by previous sterner events. That the Regimental Marching Song is sung with terrific fervour towards the end of the evening in no way diminishes the true Masonic spirit but rather enriches it.

The history of the Lodge contains no stirring events, but is a record of faithful promulgation of the genuine principles and tenets of the Craft, despite the very real difficulties occasioned by the tremendous impact of two great wars.  No particular credit is claimed for this steady and unswerving service to Freemasonry, which was shared by Masons everywhere; indeed it is probable that the close ties inevitably engendered, rendered the task of the officers of the Lodge throughout those anxious years less difficult than for some others.

In such a history it would be invidious to single out all those who have rendered particularly meritorious service to the Lodge; such names will be found in the mention of special incidents with which they were associated, and which follow in their appointed place, but two were so outstanding that no account of the Lodge would be complete without their special mention.

For devotion to Masonry in general and the Kensington Battalion Lodge in particular there is little doubt that the names of W .Bro. W. R. J .McLean and W .Bro. A. W. Foxwell would secure a unanimous vote.  As Founder and first W.M. of the Lodge, W.Bro. McLean launched the Lodge
on its long and honourable career, and his unflagging zeal and determination ensured its success from the start; less than two years later he was to command the 2/13th (Kensington) Battalion.

W.Bro. Foxwell (W.M. 1916) served the Lodge as Secretary from 1919 until his death in 1947.  In 1948 the Brethren subscribed to purchase a pedestal cloth and banner to commemorate his twenty-eight years as Secretary.  It is not too much to say that the reputation, honour and virility
of the Lodge were his especial care throughout the long years.  His imperturbable urbanity was seldom disturbed, but the quiet old-world courtesy concealed an iron determination wherever the fortunes or the reputation of the Lodge were involved.

An additional source of strength to the Lodge, arising directly from Regimental ties, has been the very strong Old Comrades Association from which a steady and indeed, latterly, increasing stream of Initiates has flowed.

Much, too, is owed to the Members' Ladies, whose silent but powerful support is annually acknowledged by the always brilliant and unfailing successful Ladies Festival, which has continued unbroken even during the Second War years, when the ladies made light of dining and dancing to the accompaniment of shell bursts and falling bombs.

The Lodge has been fortunate in being able to remain loyal to one address throughout its fifty years.  The Clarendon Restaurant, Hammersmith Broadway, has provided its Masonic, banqueting and Festival requirements with warm hospitality and consummate skill, so that "The Clarendon" has become very much "home" to the Lodge, and it is hoped will remain
so whatever changes may develop in the area in which it stands.

Membership of the Lodge was originally restricted to Officers, W.O.'s and sergeants, but between the two wars, this restriction was removed and six other ranks have since passed through the Chair, one of whom gained Grand Rank, and two others London Grand Rank honours.

The Kensington Battalion Lodge was consecrated on the 22nd October 1912; a detailed account of this impressive ceremony is given on page 4.  Eight years later on 19th January 1920, the Kensington Battalion Chapter was consecrated, six of its Founder members being also Founder members of the Lodge.

The Lodge has a not undistinguished record in support of the Masonic Charities, with total donations by the Lodge and individual members approximating to £10,000. The Lodge became a Hall Stone Lodge by contributing £760 to the Million Memorial Fund.  This Fund was raised
to build a new Grand Temple and Headquarters for English Freemasonry in memory of those Masons who lost their lives in the 1914-1918 War.  This effort is commemorated in the Lodge by the Hall Stone Jewel, which every Master wears when attending a lodge meeting during his year of office.

It also became a Founding Lodge of the Royal Masonic Hospital, endowing a bed in perpetuity.  It is hoped by the time this history is in print that it will have become a Founding member of the new Wakefield Wing.

Approximately £2,000 has been raised for each of the Schools for the Boys and the Girls, and £3,000 for the Old People.  This history must also gratefully record that three girls and six boys have received the excellent educational facilities accorded by those Institutions, and pensions granted to widows have amounted to over £2,000.

Brethren will perhaps realise what worthy work they are assisting by supporting the Charity Lists which Masters take up annually.

Two personal notes on present members may conclude this brief survey of this fifty years of history.  The present father of the Lodge is W .Bro A. E. Kearey, D.C.M., L.G.R., who was Master in 1927, and has given long and valuable service to the Lodge, particularly in the Office of Organist.  By a happy and purely fortuitous circumstance the Master at the Jubilee Meeting will be W.Bro. A. E. B. Foxwell, son of W.Bro. A. W. Foxwell to whom reference has already been made.

The following pages are devoted to more detailed accounts of the various happenings and personages who have carried the main burden of the Lodge during the past half century; work for Freemasonry which has been carried on faithfully with a high standard of ceremonial which we hope with due humility would have pleased our Founders, to whom we owe the
existence of this now famous Territorial Army Lodge. 

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