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St. Patrick’s Lodge No.295 (IC
Lodge St. Patrick has a fascinating history having been formed in 1798, not because it is old but due to its military status which still prevails to this day and is the oldest travelling warrant in the world. As such, it does not belong to a Province.
The lodge is warranted under the Grand Lodge of Ireland which was the first to grant ‘ambulatory’ or travelling warrants for lodges to open wherever the regiment was posted. Two other lodges were also granted this status: Lodge Glittering Star No.322 under the 1st Worcestershire Regiment in 1759 and Lodge Charity No.570 under the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1780.
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The lodge started from the 1st Reg. of Horse and then 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards (now the 4th/7th RDG) changing its role from cavalry to armoured. The warrant was granted by R. Hon. Charles Viscount Moore as Grand Master (later 6th Earl and 2nd Marquis of Drogheda and Field Marshall) and is still in the lodge’s possession (see below open and closed).
The lodge registered 112 members in 1830 but 5 years later it was returned to Dublin with a donation. The lodge was resuscitated in 1878 with its only original member being Lt. Gen. Sir Edward Hodge (a former CO of the regiment in The Crimea).
St. Patrick's Lodge continued working within the Regiment until May 1835 when, for reasons not recorded, the Warrant was sent in to be laid up in the Grand Lodge of Ireland, and "labours" came, temporarily, to an end. At this date the Master was Captain Edward Hodge, who as "Little Hodge" led the Regiment at Balaclava and became its Colonel.
The Warrant returned to the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, 7th January, 1878. The following is a brief extracts from the lodge records:
Newbridge - 3rd April, 1878 Bro. Major Thomas Bradney Shaw-Hellier (2 ic 4th Royal Irish DG & Apollo Lodge No.357 in Oxford) was then installed Master for the usual time, and saluted according to ancient custom. The master presented to the Brethren a case containing a Silver Trowel, Square, Compasses, Ivory Maul and Ten Collars with the Star of St. Patrick which are still in possession of the lodge.
The jewel on the left is suspended from a silver badge, which is actually a miniature star of the Order of St. Patrick, which was founded on the 17th March, 1783. The Star comprises the cross of St Patrick, a red saltire on a white background, with the motto "Quis Separabit" (Who will separate [us]) above the cross and below the cross "MDCCLXXXIII" (1783) the year the Order was founded. On the cross is a green enamelled shamrock with a crown on each leaf.
On the right, is a member’s jewel.
Couple of Points of Interest:
1908—evidence of brethren affiliating from the 4 RIDG 1913—evidence of brethren being initiated and affiliating from other regiments such as the Welch Regiment. For example Sgt Fitch who would become master in Border Lodge No.3129 (EC) and Capt. Wilson (4th Wilts Reg). 1920s—various minutes from places where the regiment was stationed in India. 1936—9 meetings took place in Edinburgh which has various Grand Lodge visitors such as Bro. T.G. Winning Grand Secretary and the 295 brethren were likewise invited to visit the Scottish lodges. 1938—Bro. Rev. McLean of Lodge Paisley St. Mirren’s No.129 affiliates and was appointed Chaplain. 1950s—brethren affiliate from various regiments including RAF, RN and RM.
The lodge continues to meet, currently in the Masonic Hall, Market Place, Warminster in Wiltshire on the last Saturday morning of each month (except August and December). The brethren of St. Pat’ s would be delighted to receive you as a visitor.
