Page 62 - Amo Amass A-muse is some of the fruit of a lifetimes love of Freemasonry - the Lodge of Nine Muses No. 235

ThE lODGE OF ThE NiNE muSES AS i FiRST kNEW iT

AVING DONE ME THE GREAT HONOUR of electing me your
Master for the ensuing year, I thought that tonight you might like to know
Hmy impressions of our Lodge when I first became a member.
I was initiated in the Royal Automobile Club in 1919 on the first Armistice Day, a
fortnight after my 21st birthday. To meet in a club was a concession which had been
granted because the Lodge had been turned out of the Metropole Hotel when it was
taken over by the Ministry of Munitions during the War. The club had been opened
to all Officers from overseas and a proviso was made that our meetings were to be
put on the club notice board welcoming all overseas brethren to visit us. This meeting
place was made possible because so many of the Muses were members of the club. My
Father and Sir Edward Mandville, Managing Director of the Daimler Company, were
members of the House Committee and the Wines and Cigar sub-committee and Sir
Julian Ord, the Secretary of the Club, was Junior Deacon at my initiation.
We prided ourselves then on our perfect Wines and Dinners. I know that some of
our wealthy Gourmets paid the difference between what the Lodge could afford and
what they decided they would like to eat and drink. Our subscription then included
all dinners and drinks and, as either Ted Mandville or my Father were the Treasurer
during this period, matters could be adjusted. Donations of very special Wines were
often received from members. Before going into Lodge, we helped ourselves to a
drink, but there were no cocktails immediately before the Banquet.
Those still serving had to wear uniform at all times and that is why even today our
summonses give uniform as an alternative dress. The remainder turned up in Tail Coat
and white tie but a black waistcoat. I arrived in my very best tight riding breeches,
butcher boots and spurs. You may imagine my confusion when the Tyler prepared me
without the aid of boot jacks, jockeys or hooks. My breeches could not be turned up,
so off they came. I found that many of the members had known me as a child. There
was only one nearer to my own age and he had been initiated by his Father the year
before and that was our dear Brother Percy Bertram Oldfield. He introduced himself
to me and I shall never forget him saying — “They are all old men in this Lodge, so
we two must stick together” — and we did. At the time that I am speaking about,