My journey to becoming a Mason involves a 10-year-old boy, a hero with a secret and a drama at my initiation.
I am a 46 year old Master Mason, with Royal Hanover Lodge 1777, Writing this article for my lodge’s new website, which I built for them, I suppose I have a vested interest in becoming an active blogger for the Royal Hanover Lodge. Oops, made a rod for my own back on that one, but one which I hope will bring many benefits to my fellow Brothers and enjoyment for the future.
A Freemasonry journey that starts in 1978
My journey starts back in 1978 when I was a nosey 10 year old at my grandparent’s home. Although I knew better than to poke my nose into things which didn’t belong to me, I could not resist the call of my grandfather’s case. Opening the lid tentatively revealed his Masonic regalia. I was full of questions and wanted to know more. Running straight to my grandfather, I asked with all the curiosity only a 10 year old can muster ”what’s this?”, I remember a sheepish look on my grandmothers face in response which served only to heighten my curiosity.
As you can imagine the discussion which followed was a little short, but I remember hearing words such as – brothers, meetings, friendships and supporting organisations. These seemed important to him but left me no wiser.
I don’t know about you, but my memory is filled with vivid snapshots of very specific moments in time, imprinted for life. This moment of finding my grandfather’s Masonic regalia is fixed and locked in my memory forever.
I often returned to that recollection, wondering what my grandfather did as a Mason. What did he look like when wearing his regalia? What did the group of brothers, that he called friends, do when they got together at these meetings?
Sadly he passed away in 1990 when I was 22, and I regret never having another conversation about being a Mason and what it meant to him. I would have loved to have the conversation with him today knowing what I do now.
I suppose a little bit of scene settings works here, regarding the type of character my grandfather was and what made him someone I always looked up to with regards to standards, strength of character, stature and presence.
He started out as a young policeman, working in central London. When WWII broke out, he joined the RAF and became a pilot, navigator and bomb aimer. He flew in everything from Harvard trainers in Africa to Wellington Bombers flying over Europe. On leaving the RAF shortly after WWII ended, he returned to being a policeman. Strong memories of mine were the stories of being a policeman in the Flying Squad, hearing about raids in Soho, London, driving fast cars like the Rover P5 & P6 3500 V8 (flash back to the Sweeney). He retired from the police force in 1966 before I was born and joined the foreign office, where he was a Queens Messenger Escort, travelling all over the world with diplomatic credentials.
So, my grandfather was an early inspiration and ignited my interest in becoming a Mason, although it held in the back of my mind for most of my twenties and thirties.
Jump ahead to 2008
It was my turn for a mid-life crisis as some call it, being driven by separation, relocation, a new career (after a chosen break) and financial challenges. As part of my new career plan, I started doing the business networking treadmill which proved interesting and, in many ways, successful.
It was in one of these business breakfast meetings I had the fortunate chance to meet a gentleman that I shared many similar attitudes to about life and we found many interesting subjects to talk about, all without knowing he was a Freemason. For over a year this went on and then one day the Masonic subject cropped up and he indicated he was a member of a Lodge in Twickenham and of course my childhood memories lead to a rush of questions. In time (several months) we spoke about what it means to be a Freemason and about his lodge the Royal Hanover Lodge.
Eventually, I asked about membership and it was then that he invited me to come and meet the guys on a Tuesday evening (regular Lodge of Instruction gatherings). This would give me a chance to get to know them and for them to get to know me. I visited several times on LOI evenings, each time being warmly greeted and I could see a dedicated common belief in each other that was refreshing. It reminded me of my grandfather's character from when I was a child.
I decided that I would like to become a mason and so I was proposed by my friend and seconded by another gentleman that my friend had previously proposed and had joined. At this point, I started to understand why Freemason ranks are expanded on trust and belief in a fellow individual. I was given an informal interview by the lodge committee after which a closed vote was taken. I was then immediately informed of their decision, which gratefully had a positive outcome.
It was at this point that my journey in Freemasonry really started, all be it with a twist. I was to be initiated into Freemasonry in early spring 2010, but due to a long spell in hospital, this was postponed. On my return to life outside the hospital, I found the Lodge had been open-minded and supportive of why I had not made my initiation and it was soon set up for another time.
In my first official meeting where I was initiated into Freemasonry, I managed to keep my new fellow brethren on their toes. I was still not in great health and I managed to add a bit of adventure to the meeting and a future talking point about my start in becoming a Mason. Feeling somewhat light-headed, I managed to pass out at the ceremony. – The most amazing moment occurred when my fellow brothers caught me as I was about to ‘hit the deck’. An eventful first start for me and now fondly remembered with humour amongst my brothers in the Royal Hanover Lodge 1777.
Now having been passed and raised over a period of time, I am enjoying the fellowship I find amongst my brothers, the fun and enjoyable company at meetings, festive boards and of course LOI’s where much humour can often be found. During my time, I have had the pleasure of taking officers positions within Royal Hanover Lodge, those being Steward, Inner Guard and currently Junior Deacon.
Today
My thoughts have often strayed to thinking about where my Grandfather was a Mason and what lodge(s) he was a member of. When I started to write this article I decided to put a request to The Library and Museum of Freemasonry for such information. After only a short wait, I found that my Grandfather was a member of two lodges. His mother lodge was the More Marjorum Lodge no. 7786 and he subsequently joined Anglo-American Lodge No. 2191 based at Freemasonry Hall. I will continue to research his roles and journey through these lodges in time I am sure.
Finishing this article on an auspicious day of my first visit to the Home of English Freemasonry, Freemasons Hall, Great Queen Street, London, attending the Annual General Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex 12th May 2015, where some of my fellow brethren of Royal Hanover Lodge are receiving Provincial Promotions, I find my reasons for joining the Royal Hanover Lodge 1777 affirmed and I look forward to my future in Freemasonry.
On the more deeper question of what I get from Freemasonry are the teachings and strengthening of morality, trust, belief and faith in oneself and others around me. Supporting those in need is also a crucial part of my time in Freemasonry of which I will follow as my journey continues.
And so, my journey in Freemasonry continues . . .
Brother David North
Royal Hanover Lodge 1777
