Had you ever considered that there are more than 176 war memorials in the Province? Or considered how many are attended by masons to lay a wreath from our organisation on Remembrance Day?
Well, that was the mammoth and ongoing task set by the PR committee of the Hertfordshire Lodge of the Legion No 9827.
It isn’t truly known how many of the memorials are still active and supported. So the committee asked the various centres where their local memorials were and if they were attended.
Most of the centres were helpful but it became clear that this was a bigger task then first thought and it appeared that only 19 were actually attended.
Last November, the committee managed to get three more attended - Barley, Borehamwood and Ashwell with six members of the Lodge of the Legion laying wreaths.
All reports from the newly visited memorials were excellent with various local Royal British Legions and community councils expressing their support for what the Lodge is trying to achieve. They also understood masonry wanted to support the memorials and assist if necessary. “They are also clear that we do not, and would not, want to interfere with any existing arrangements that centres, lodges or the RBL have in place,” one senior member of the committee explained. “Although initially finding only three more memorials to be attended by masons may seem small, this is a start and with new information and assistance from the Royal British Legion we hope to have many more attended next November.”
Many centres traditionally attend their local memorials and this can only be good for bringing masonry into the community, which is one of the stated aims of the Lodge of the Legion.
But help is still needed in finding out about local memorials in all areas. It is understood that many of the 176+ may now be inactive or just a small plaque on a wall somewhere.
A reply from any centre or individual would be much appreciated to allow further masonic representation at more memorials this November.
Your contact is W Bro Peter Farrell
Email: herongateheating@hotmail.com or 0208 367 2339 home, 07976 419360 mobile