Summer 2020 | Issue 25 Museum The Association of Patrons Matters

LibertéLiberté ChérieChérie

Masonic activites in a very different kind of ‘lock down’

Inside:

Chairman’s Update Pg 2 Meet the Volunteers Pg 6 Mark Master Masonry Pg 3 West Kent - Part 2 Pg 7 Loge Liberté Chérie Pg 5 Can you help? Pg 8 MUSEUM UPDATE

As the Coronavirus The summer months usually give as all an opportunity pandemic lock down to recharge our batteries, focus on our friends and continues, Chairman families and look forward to a new Masonic season. of the Association of This year, unfortunately, things are very different. I know many of you will have participated in online Patrons, Charles Pottle, meetings, podcasts and catch-ups. It is important gives us an update on that we remain engaged with each other. The the situation at the Museum website (kentmuseumoffreemasonry. Museum and the need org.uk) and Facebook page (facebook.com/ to make the most of kentmuseumoffreemasonry) are regularly updated and closed period. include a number of video tours. Both are well worth a visit when you have a few of minutes. If you have any Dear Patrons and Friends, ideas or comments please share them, we would love to receive your feedback. Whilst our general Masonic activities remain largely suspended you can be assured that the work of Museum and Library Trust continues in earnest. Planning for the refurbishment works and the many associated challenges this will bring continues at pace and is well advanced. As always, challenges provide opportunities and the Museum Trustees will seek to utilise the coming months to upgrade Museum facilities and operations to ensure we offer a truly 21st century environment for our visitors, as well as our much valued volunteers. The work of the Association of Patrons (AoP) is ongoing across both Kent provinces and our Deputy More on these matters later this year... Chairman (Phil Moore) gives a very informative update within these pages on those important activities. We also expect positive news in the coming months from Peter Lapage who leads our liaison with the Kent Mark. I cannot stress enough the importance of the support the AoP provides to the Kent Museum of and the success that it has enjoyed over the years. As our valued Patrons, you are a continuing cornerstone in these achievements. Without you it would not be possible. Thank you !

There is a bright future ahead and the Kent Museum of Freemasonry will be ready to play its part when things resume. The fantastic reviews we have received on Tripadvisor are a testament to the importance of this facility to Masons and non-Masons alike. Given the current climate, our “Window to the World” will remain as valuable as ever, perhaps even more so.

Until next time, keep well and best wishes.

Charles

Page 2 MARK MASONRY

Prior to the closure of the The “Mark” portion of the Museum, one of the special Degree title takes its name exhibitions planned for 2020 from the practice of the was an illustrative display stonemason appending explaining about the Mark his unique mark on his Degree, a Progressive Order work to identify it, a in Freemasonry. An Order, practice existing from time which is open to all Master immemorial. Cathedrals and Masons, here we learn more other prominent buildings about it, and prevalence in worldwide, carry the marks Kent. of the masons who built them, which can still be seen on the The Mark Degree is undoubtedly one of the most masonry to this day. There is reputed evidence that the successfully supported Orders in Freemasonry. Degree is 400 years old, but the earliest English records There are nearly 1500 Mark Lodges in the English stem from 1769 when it was first worked in Chapter Constitution, with Kent being one of the largest of Friendship, Royal Arch Chapter No. 257 (formerly Provinces, outside of . Together with the Royal No. 3) in Portsmouth. The effect of the Union in 1813 Ark Mariner Degree, the Province of Kent has more between the Antients and Moderns in England was than 100 Lodges with around 1500 members. of course the specific recognition of the three Craft Degrees only, including the Holy Royal Arch, thus The Mark Degree is administered from Mark Masons’ completely excluding the Mark Degree. Hall in St James’s, London and is generally perceived to be more informal than the Craft and there is no Nevertheless, many Lodges continued to work the doubt that among Mark Master Masons you will ever Degree, particularly in Kent, and eventually in 1856 find friends. The ceremony of admission is called The of Mark Master Masons was formed. “Advancement” and chronologically the Degree It should be noted that in Scotland, and many other follows that of the Fellow Craft. parts of the recognised Masonic world, the Mark Degree can be conferred in either Craft Lodges or Royal Arch Chapters and indeed is an essential pre-requisite before exaltation into a Royal Arch Chapter.

The Mark Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent can trace its history to December 1857, the year following the formation of The Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, when Charles Purton Cooper Q.C. was confirmed as the first Provincial Grand Master.

Sheerness’ Adams Lodge No. 6 is the oldest Lodge in the Province, which came into existence on 27th March 1857. The formation of The United Grand Lodge of England in December 1813 prevented the Craft Lodges of the Antients Grand Lodge from Advancing Brethren The legend of the Degree is most instructive and, is into the Mark Degree. This resulted in unofficial well founded on statements of Holy Writ, relating to a strategies being pioneered, for example the minutes period in the building of the Temple prior to the death of the Adams Craft Lodge from July 1817 show a of Hiram Abif. It teaches the lesson that education is record of Brethren “receiving order of Ark & Mark”. the reward of labour and contains a dramatic message. The symbol of the Degree is a keystone, on which is With the formation of the Province pre-dating the engraved certain mystic letters, the meaning of which Local Government Act 1888 and the creation of the is revealed during the ceremony. The Mark Degree County of London, several Lodges were founded and assists old and young Brethren alike to gain experience still meet in centres in what are now London Boroughs; in Freemasonry, and thus make their mark, without including Sidcup, Welling and Bromley, as well as first having been installed in the Craft Chair. St James’s in London.

Page 3 Together with the Royal Ark Mariner Degree, the Mark The Mark Benevolent Fund (MBF) is a registered Province of Kent now boasts around 1500 members charity (no. 207610) and came into existence in 1868 meeting in 107 Lodges at 37 different locations from on the suggestion of the Reverend George Raymond London to Dover and Sheerness to Sandgate. Portal, Grand Master of the Mark. His views on charity were far more radical and progressive than the general The Province’s Newest Lodge is Fore Cantia Lodge thinking of the time and he felt that for charity to be of Mark Master Masons No. 2002 – a golfing themed effective it had to be disbursed swiftly and without Lodge, which was consecrated on 25th March 2019 at bureaucratic formalities. To him it was wrong for there Tunbridge Wells. The name being constructed from to be any delay in providing assistance to those in need two words - the shout that golfers give to warn others and his own Latin tag… of a wayward ball and the Latin name for Kent. “Bis dat qui cito dat” – he gives twice who gives Other common interest Lodges in the Province include: promptly

No. 44 Florence Nightingale – Caring Services became, and still is, the principal guideline of the MBF. No. 69 United Service Lodge – Military No. 332 Greenwich – Fine Dining The Fund has disbursed many millions to individual No. 1777 Eos – Daylight Meetings petitioners and an even greater sum in grants to chari- ties within the wider community.

Provincial Grand Masters of Kent

1857 - 1872 Here in Kent recent grants include £27,046 to SERV Charles Purton Cooper, QC Kent to purchase a fully-equipped car to ensure

1872 - 1879 that lifesaving items can be transported quickly and The Rev. G.W. Sicklemore, MA effectively to patients in urgent need, £5,020 to the

1879 - 1897 Kent MS Therapy Centre to refurbish their hyperbaric The Rev. T. Robinson, MA oxygen chambers, and the funding of two brand new

1897 - 1908 St John Ambulance Patient Treatment Centres. The Rt. Hon. The Viscount Dungarven

1908 - 1936 The Rt. Hon. The Lord Aldenham

1936 - 1956 The Rt. Hon. The Lord Harris, CBE MC DL

1956 - 1975 Sir Eric Studd Bt. OBE

1975 - 1978 Frederick William Friday

1978 - 1986 Guy P. Rudgard, JP

1986 - 2003 Ronald Byers de Gray

2003 - 2008 Roland John Wade, BA

2008 - 2013 Roger Henry Harley Croucher

2013 - Present For more information about the Provincial Grand Archibald Iain Torrance, BSc FCMI Lodge of Mark Master Mason of Kent, please go to their website at kentmarkmastermasons.org.uk.

Page 4 DID YOU KNOW ABOUT? CHERISHED LIBERTY LODGE

In this edition of the Newsletter, Museum Volunteer The works of the Lodge took place around a table in and Military History student, Matthew Edson Hut 6, with a Roman Catholic Priest acting as a look continues his series of articles connected with out for the members, with other priests prepared to Masonic history. make any meeting appear to be prayer meeting if the guards were to have discovered the group.With the 1933 saw the passing of the infamous Enabling Act help of these priests, the Lodge was able to Initiate, in Germany; marking the start of the suppression of Pass and Raise Brother Fernand Erauw. Somerhausen Freemasonry in Nazi held territory. This suppression later wrote that the ceremony was simple; “taking continued across Europe, with many brethren being place at one of the tables….after a highly simplified imprisoned as ‘political prisoners’ by Hitler regime. ritual – whose individual components were, however, Despite this, there are countless stories of Lodges of explained to the initiate; that from now on could allow Instruction being held in no less than fourteen Prisoner him to participate in the working of the Lodge”. of War Camps, with a small part of our museum dedicated to such activities. After these Initiation of Erauw, the meetings became more thematic, discussing (among other things) the future of Belgium and the position of women within Freemasonry. However, by early 1944, the Lodge was broken up by the splitting up of all the members, only two of whom would ever meet again.

Hanson died during an air raid on his prison in Essen, on the 26th March 1944, and other members being murdered by the Nazis in the months leading up to the end of the war in Europe. Only Luc Somerhausan and Fernand Erauw had survived who, upon being reunited in Sachenhausen, became inseparable with both crediting their brotherhood with saving their lives.

In 1945, Somerhausan committed the story of Liberté Chérie to paper, sending the history to the Grand Orient of Belgium, before passing away, peacefully in 1982 at the age of 79. The last surviving member of the However, this is a story of hope, brotherhood and Lodge, Fernand Erauw, passed away at the age of 83 in resistance, the story of the only lodge to initiate new 1997. members and the only lodge to meet right under the noses of the SS, in the heart of a Nazi concentration camp, Loge Liberté Chérie (Cherished Liberty Lodge).

The Lodge was formed by seven Belgian Masons interned in Emslander VII (Esterwergen), with the founding of the Lodge taking place in Hut 6 on the, 15th November 1943. The founding members were Franz Rochat, Paul Hanson, Luc Somerhausen, Jean Sugg, Amédée Mialotte, and Guy Hannecart; with Hanson becoming the first Woshipful Master. The prisoners were kept in terrible conditions, with the average man losing around four kilograms in weight per month; with actions such as the formation of a carrying grave consequences if discovered by the SS guards. Despite this, the brethren of Liberté Chérie continued undaunted by the dangers that their love of the Craft entailed.

Page 5 On the 13th November 2004, a monument was erected Paul Hanson (unknown – March 26th, 1944) at the location of this unique Lodge, being payed Luc Somerhausen (August 26th, 1903 – 1982) for by a selection of Masons from both Belgium Jean Sugg (September 8th, 1897 – February 8th, 1945) and Germany. At it’s dedication, the Grand Master Amédée Miclotte (December 20th. 1902 – February 8th, 1945) of Belgium, Wim Rutten, stated “We are gathered Franz Rochat (March 10th, 1908 – April 6th, 1945) here today on this Cemetery in Esterwegen, not to Guy Hannecart (1903 – 1945) mourn, but to express free thoughts in public.” - “In Henri Stori (November 27th, 1897 – December 5th, 1944) memory of our brothers; human rights should never be Jean De Schijver (August 23rd, 1893 – February, 1945) forgotten.” Leaving a permanent memorial to some of Fernand Erauw (August 26th, 1914 – 1997) the bravest of us. And, of course, the approximately 200,000 Freemasons The author would like to dedicate this article to those who perished as a result of Nazi persecution. Brothers of Liberté Chérie, especially those who were taken too soon. Matt Edson

MM – Has the Museum encouraged you to learn THE MUSEUM more? MR – I find the different aprons that are on display are VOLUNTEERS interesting. Perhaps this has broadened my horizons and encouraged me to learn more about the side Orders of Freemasonry. I’m keen to learn more about For this regular feature this. looking at those who help support and run the MM – Outside of Freemasonry, what is the day job? museum, we speak to AoP Secretary, Mark Rosen. MR – I’m a Company Director in student lettings. Before I started my letting business, I was an aircraft MM – Hello Mark, thanks engineer for 23 years and carried out maintenance on a for joining us today. Can range of different aircraft, from the military F-111F to you please describe your the commercial Boeing 767. But the most spectacular involvement with the aircraft I’ve ever worked on was the SR71 Blackbird. Museum? At the time, it was the fastest and most advance aircraft to be built. MR – I’m Secretary of the Association of Patrons. I wanted to do something to support the museum. I’m During my time working on aircraft, I had the Secretary of two lodges, so I thought that this position privilege to lunch with legendary Formula One car would suit me. racing driver Niki Lauda. He was an interesting man and talked about car racing and his love of aircraft. MM – What lodges and other Masonic Orders are you involved with? MM- Thank you for your time Mark!

MR – I’m Treasurer of two lodges and one chapter, Simon Langton Lodge No. 7586, Rangoon & Ormond Iles Lodge No. 1268 and PEGU Chapter No. 1268. I’m also Secretary of Bertha Chapter No. 31 and America Lodge No. 3368. As you can guess, this keeps me pretty busy!

MM – Have you learned anything about Freemasonry, that you didn’t know before joining the Museum?

MR – I’ve been a Freemason for 26 years and I know that there is always something new to learn, but being part of the museum’s team now, I’m learning just how important the museum is to Freemasonry and to Kent in particular.

Page 6 RAISING WEST KENT PROFILE - PART 2

W Bro Phil Moore, The response following my March article appeared to Deputy Chairman of the “kick start” interest from individuals, who expressed Association of Patrons, interest in becoming a Lodge/Chapter Ambassador or gives us an insight into the indeed become an Individual Patron. Alas, this initial hard work being done in surge did not develop into hard applications being the Province of West Kent received by the Museum. Given the lock down, we for the Kent Museum of had hoped that this would have been an opportune Freemasonry. time for many Masons to grasp the nettle and volunteer their services to their respective Lodges and Chapters. With many units having regular meetings Following my article that appeared in the Spring 2020 via Zoom/Teams etc, obtaining agreement to become edition, we have sadly been restricted in what we a Patron may have been dealt with during the lock can do outside of our homes along with all Masonic down. This would be reciprocated by the Association meetings suspended. That said, the Kent Masonic of Patrons, processing the application form and issuing Museum & Library, (a registered Charity), like the certificates so that when we do meet again, there other infrastructure that supports our Masonic would be substantial increase in new Patrons across activities remain in place, albeit closed to visitors, but our province, proudly displaying their Certificate of with a number of running costs still being generated. Patronage at meetings, along with the statement on the During this period the work of the Association of front of their regular summons. Patrons is ongoing as we are the main revenue stream supporting the continued operation of this great asset. It was hoped that Charity Stewards would consider supporting the Kent Museum of Freemasonry and Lodge secretaries and members may recall a letter arrange for their respective unit to become Patrons. sent out in the autumn of 2019 from our PGM, RW Bro Alas, too many are still to progress this. I hope it will Mark Estaugh, highlighting the Kent Masonic Museum be on the “to do list” once meetings are resumed. I and Library and the work the Association of Patrons know the majority of Masonic centres have received undertake in supporting this very important asset, also support from many, if not all the Lodges, that meet calling upon members of West Kent to support this at their respective centres, but disappointingly charity by appointing a Lodge Museum Ambassador the Museum at Canterbury as far as West Kent is (formally called a Representative) and also becoming a concerned appears to have been overlooked. So, in Patron. advance of resuming our meetings, now would be a great time for each and every Lodge and Chapter in West Kent have 174 Lodges of which 27 have the West Kent Province meetings, to: appointed a Museum Ambassador (list of units appeared in Museum Matters March 2020) and of that number 10 have become a Patron. Speaking with • Appoint a Museum Ambassador and notify the most of the remaining 17 Ambassadors, most have Provincial Office and myself of their contact expressed a desire for their units to become Patrons – details. Brethren now is the time to make that commitment. • The Charity Steward to propose the Lodge or Chapter become an Patron of the Kent Museum For the 144 lodges that have not appointed an of Freemasonry. Ambassador, how about volunteering yourself to that • Individual Masons to become Patron to support role to assist your Lodge? Once agreed the Secretary this important Masonic charity. needs to inform the Provincial Office and myself so that you can be kept up to date with Museum news and activities. It is during these period of lock down that the Masonic organisation steps up to the challenge as we have seen Clearly this also applies to all Chapters that meet in on social media – many decisions of support have West Kent and your support will be, as always, very been made by Lodges and other units during the close welcome. down to support charities that are under pressure,

Page 7 Brethren please do not forget this very local Masonic As the Kent Museum of Freemasonry is a charity, it charity, one that is often incorrectly conceived as a was thought prudent that all Charity Stewards in West purely “East Kent“ facility. Brethren, the Kent Museum Kent should receive the March and this edition of of Freemasonry belongs to all of us across Kent. Museum Matters as a number of articles were relevant As a proud partner, West Kent needs to extend its to West Kent Masons and what’s been happening in customary generous support. their province. Further copies in the future will only be available to registered patrons – please consider taking Lodge Patrons pay only £75 per year. A Chapter out lodge/chapter or personal patronages. patronage is £50 per year. Both receive a certificate which they are encouraged to display at meetings If you require any further information on the Kent as well as including their patronage on their regular Museum of Freemasonry or indeed the Association summons as many already do with RMBI etc. of Patrons, please contact me on the details at the end Individual Patrons pay only £25 per year. In addition of the article. I will be more than happy to deliver an to a certificate they also receive a unique lapel pin illustrated presentation on the Masonic Museum at which can be worn within or outside our Masonic Canterbury at one of your regular meetings – You only meetings. All Patrons receive a copy of Museum need to ask? Matters up to 4 times a year, which is the showcase publication of the Museum, as well as invites to special Phil Moore PProvSGD Museum events. 07584 178840 CAN YOU HELP? JOIN THE ASSOCIATION OF PATRONS TEAM

The Association of Patrons are all volunteers, who come to the group with their respective skill sets. However as the association grows and more work is being undertaken, there are a few opportunities for members from both provinces to assist with the work being undertaken:

Spring 2020 | Issue 24 MuseumWinter 2019 | Issue 23 The Association of Patrons MuseumThe Association of Patrons Museum Summer 2019 | Issue 22 The Association of Patrons Matters The new name for ‘Regailing’ Matters The new name for ‘Regailing’ Matters The new name for ‘Regailing’ AnTitle insider’sEasy here... Riders... Virtual RealityTitle here... Phil Moore is Deputy Chairman to Charles Pottle View with specific responsibility for membership of the Association of Patrons in the Province of West Kent. WhatBikers is it like ride How to accessto volunteer theinto town at to Phil is looking for assistance in building up a working visit museum Library andthe Museum Museum? group of like-minded West Kent Masons to take from your own home the association forward in the Province, stimulating Inside: Inside: Medieval Pageant Volunteers Needed Chairman’s Address interest within the lodges and chapters and ultimately Tripadvisor Feedback Inside: Can You Help? Pg 2 Pg 2 350th Patron Pg 3 Pg 3 Meet theCanterbury Volunteers Festival Chairman’s Update Pg 2 Did You Know??? Pg 5 An Insider’sBikers View Ride into Town Pg 4 Pg 3 Pg 5 to achieve the Provincial objective of every unit having Meet the Volunteers Pg 3 News from West Kent Pg 6 ChristmasTeam Message Changes Wedding Plans Pg 4 Virtual Insanity Pg 7 John Andrews Pg 6 Pg 3 Pg 7 Pg 4 Pg 5 an appointed Ambassador, with potentially each unit Pg 6 supporting the Association with patronages at both unit and individual level. Howard Griffin is responsible for liaison with Lodge or Chapter Museum Ambassadors, as well as Editor of If you feel you have the right organisational and this publication, Museum Matters. Howard is looking developmental skills, then please give Phil a call on for a volunteer to work with him in the production of 07584 178840 or drop him a line on this quarterly magazine. If you have skills in Desk Top [email protected] Publishing, journalism or graphic design, and would like to join the association, then please give Howard a For all Museum Matters enquiries, please call on 0771 518 1499 or email him at contact the editor, Howard Griffin on [email protected] [email protected] or 0771 518 1499

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