The Mid Kent Masters’ Lodge No.3173 celebrated its Centenary meeting at a packed Franklin Road Masonic Centre in Gillingham, on Friday 22nd September. The Lodge was the brainchild of the then newly Installed Provincial Grand Master for Kent, Col. Fiennes Stanley Wykeham Cornwallis, subsequently the 1st Baron Cornwallis.

From its consecration, it was generally the host Lodge for special meetings when the Provincial Grand Master hosted other Provinces, dignitaries or special lectures. In consequence of its increased membership, the Lodge moved from its original home in Manor Road, Chatham to the Franklin Rooms, in April 1967. The Worshipful Master, RWBro Russell John Race, DL. PJGW, DMetGM,PDPGM, welcomed the grandson of the first Baron, Most Worshipful, The Rt Hon the Lord Fiennes Niel Wykeham 3rd Baron Cornwallis, OBE DL Past Pro Grand Master, to the meeting, and then received the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Michael Robin Bailey, The Deputy Provincial Grand Master, the Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, members of the Provincial Executive and the Provincial Senior and Junior Grand Wardens. The Provincial Grand Master gave an address on the background of the Lodge, outlining its prestigious role within the Province. This was followed by a short history of the Lodge given by WBro Martin Ransom PAGDC, a Past Master of the Lodge, who concentrated his address on the background of each of the fifteen Founders of the Lodge. This included the founding Master, WBro H F Whyman, who was a Past Master of Beacon Court Lodge No.1967, and twice Mayor of Chatham.

At the end of his address, WBro Ransom presented the Worshipful Master with a personal gift of a copy of The Times newspaper dated 22nd September 1906. Following a thought provoking oration given by the Provincial Grand Chaplain, the Worshipful Master presented a cheque for £3,173 to the Provincial Grand Master for his Discretionary Fund. The Lord Cornwallis was then invited by the Provincial Grand Master to present the Centenary Warrant to the Worshipful Master on his behalf, which was followed by the unveiling of a Lodge Honours Board, generously donated by a Past Master. Each person present was presented with a copy of WBro Ransom’s printed history of the Lodge.

WBro David Neale
Mid Kent Masters Lodge No.3173

Ed45, p5