Lodge of Furness No 995, the Furness and South Lakeland Group’s numerically oldest lodge, takes pride and delight in anniversaries, jubilees and celebrations. The VE Day 80th commemoration was no exception when presented by the brethren. Although this was less of a visual event, it was nonetheless an outstanding effort, with readings from many of the brethren, spread across all ranks and offices.
50 brethren were in attendance, including Assistant Provincial Grand Master Peter Schofield, group chairman Chris Gray, group vice chairman Harry Chatfield, six visiting masters, three grand officers, as well as one fellow craft and one entered apprentice.
WM Mark Hornby opened the lodge in due and ancient form, dispatching the general business of the lodge in a timely manner. The next business was announced by the WM to provide a fitting tribute to mark the 80th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War. The presentation involved every member of the lodge individually reciting prepared explanations of various times in our history, surrounding the period up to and including the surrender of Germany after the six years of World War Two. The presentation took the form of a journey with the WM either closing or adjourning the lodge, then opening in various years to enable the audience to be taken back to a relevant period.
Mark adjourned the lodge in 2025 and resumed it in 1918, where Keith Lancaster touched on the atrocities of World War One, to explain the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and conditions and reparations required by Germany for their inception of that war and furthermore outlining the unrest by the German population at their perceived unfair punishment under that Treaty, which powered the rise of the Nazi Party and Adolph Hitler.
Mark then adjourned the lodge in 1918 and resumed in 1939. Senior warden Gary Grieve explained how the dismantling of the German empire worldwide had given rise to the ascendancy of Hitler and the Nazis, the crumbling of the Weimar Republic and the instability of that period culminating in the invasion of Poland after breaking various aspects of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler’s reluctance to heed the ultimatum of Britain and France to immediately withdraw from Poland gave Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain no option but to declare war on Germany on 3 September 1939. Neville Chamberlain then resigned, with Winston Churchill chosen to succeed him as Prime Minister of an all-party coalition government.
Various tragic, horrific, or heroic acts and deeds surrounding WW2 were outlined at this stage and at this point, an air raid siren startled the audience. The WM gavelled once more and the lodge was plunged into darkness as the conditions of the ‘blackout’ were adhered to and explained.
A detailed explanation of Germany’s attempts to subdue the Royal Air Force ensued, with their intention to gain the upper hand to pave the way for their invasion of Britain given by director of ceremonies Tony Nevinson. The frustration the Nazis endured as ‘Operation Sea Lion’, the code name for the intended invasion of England, had to be cancelled due to the heroic and stubborn resolve of the RAF controlling our air space and the sterling efforts of the Royal Navy controlling our seas.
The air raid siren once again sounded. Details of the Battle of Britain were explained here, the various targets of the German bombers outlined, including industrial and infrastructure targets in the Furness area named locally as the ‘Barrow Blitz’ and the heroics of both the military personnel and the civilian workforce during that period, when 10,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.
Mark then adjourned the lodge in 1939 and resumed it in 1945. Ron Jackson described the pincer movement during the ‘Battle of Berlin’, with the German army being on the retreat to Hitler’s last stand, his marriage and eventual suicide in his bunker.
There is a report at the door of the lodge and details of important information were delivered to the brethren from brother Winston Churchill, of the United Studholme Alliance Lodge No 1591 of London, at the time the Prime Minister of our beloved nation. German High Command had surrendered. The war would be officially over at 00:01 hours on Tuesday, 8 May 1945. To prevent further needless loss of life, a ceasefire was announced forthwith.
The lodge was returned to the correct time and date and business conducted as normal before closing. The VE Day celebrations continued upstairs, where a street party-themed festive board ensued with a rousing rendition of the Dad’s Army theme song, ‘Who do you think you are kidding, Mr Hitler’, sweetly sung by all.
Further readings were given by Chris Angell, Gary Grieve and Keith Lancaster, and mention was made of the ceremony of the Empty Table, which commemorates all those lost in conflict, military and civilian. Given the distance across the years, unfortunately, no veterans of WW2 were available to enhance the occasion, but Rowley Saunders graced the lodge with his presence. Although not being a veteran of WW2, it is 70 years this year that he celebrates the anniversary of being called up to commence his National Service. A magnificent anniversary for Rowley to celebrate.
It was pleasing to observe that several of the 54 brethren attending the VE Day celebrations were wearing or displaying medals belonging to themselves or their relatives gained from their service during WW2 or other campaigns.
A thoroughly poignant and deserved celebration to honour those who toiled or suffered during the atrocities of WW2 was appreciated by all present, but more importantly, the event and evening served to remember and keep alive the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, affording us the ability to live in peace and freedom.