Many Lodges were again represented at Remembrance Day parades throughout the Province in November, and this moving story from WBro Tony Elliott illustrates the determination of Freemasonry never to forget the ultimate sacrifice made by so many of our Brethren. (Ed . . . )

St. Michael's was the only Lodge operating in Sittingbourne during both World Wars and the members were mainly in commerce in the town, hence meetings being held on Wednesdays, the half day closing. Bro Gwynfred Ellis Griffiths was a 38 year old china merchant from South Wales, who having joined the army, was stationed at a temporary camp at Gore Court to the south of Sittingbourne. Like so many young men in his circumstances he joined the fraternity, being Initiated into St. Michael’s Lodge No.1273 at a Lodge of Emergency on Wednesday 17th July 1918 along with two other Initiates. Unfortunately, he was unable to progress beyond an Entered Apprentice before being shipped out to the front, where he was tragically
killed in action attacking the Beaurevoir Line in France on Tuesday 8th October 1918, just one month before the end of the war.

Bro Griffiths lies in grave I. A. 40 at the Bois-des-Angles British Cemetery, in Crevecoeur-sur-L’Escaut. In memory of Bro Griffiths, a small memorial plaque has been hung in the Tyler’s lobby at the Sittingbourne Masonic Hall, which was dedicated by WBro the Rev. Brian A Blade PPrGChap at St Michael’s Lodge December meeting.

It is also interesting to note that amongst other wartime casualties was the Warrant of the Lodge and some Minute and Registration Books, which were stored during the blitz in the Secretary’s loft. Unfortunately the loft was hit by an incendiary bomb, leaving some charred edges to the books and a couple of holes in the Warrant. ‘Pure and unsullied ..’ Hmm!

W Bro Tony Elliott
St Michaels Lodge No.1273

Ed45, p16