The Semper Paratus Lodge was formed from members of the National Fire Brigades Union and was consecrated on Wednesday 6th of January 1904. The Lodge met at several different locations during its years in London.
As membership declined the main nucleus of the lodge were Oxfordshire masons and as a result, they elected to relocate the Lodge to the Province of Oxfordshire. After much hard work and organisation, the Lodge made its Oxfordshire home at the Masonic Hall Woodstock holding its first meeting in 2012.
Since relocating to Woodstock the Lodge has more than tripled its membership both from former members of the Chedelintone Lodge and many new members from the local area. The Lodge continues to grow and prosper and has now formed its own Chapter.
Our Lodge Banner
Many will be familiar with our Lodge banner which hangs in the Temple at Woodstock, but do not know its origins.
Now thanks to an article by Frank Daniell in the 2025 Winter Edition of “Roundthreads”, the London Fire Brigade (“LFB”) Retired Members’ Association magazine, a daily advancement in Masonic knowledge can be achieved!
Our banner depicts a painting entitled “Saved” which is the best-known work by London-based artist Charles Vigor, thought to have been completed in 1891 and initially exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1892.
It was believed that “Saved” was the only work by Charles Vigor which depicts a fireman, Although there were calls for other portraits of firemen nothing was forthcoming except one entitled “The Rescue”, which is now to be found in a gallery in Australia.
Prints of “Saved” were to be found at all 60 London County Council (LFB) fire stations until the Council was disbanded in 1965, which saw the formation of the Greater London Council.
Over the years there has been much speculation regarding “Saved” and the house in the background of the painting. The house was believed to have been Winchester House, a large Victorian house in Southwark Bridge Road, which subsequently formed part and home of the LFB recruit training centre. The house was originally built for Captain Eyre Massey Shaw who was then Chief Fire Officer of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade which later became the LFB. It was also believed it depicted Captain Shaw and girl he was carrying was his daughter.
However in reality, the entrance to Winchester House was totally different to that shown and the fireman apparently does not look like Captain Shaw, who at that time would have been in his 60s and he is not known to have had a daughter of that age.
The original painting was initially purchased in 1894 and put on display at the Southport County Fire Headquarters. Around the start of the First World War the painting vanished from public view and was put in a storeroom below Southport Council offices. It remained in storage until the 1960s when the then Southport Chief Fire Officer re-discovered it and put it on display where it remained until 1973 when it was presented to the Fire Service Technical College (as it was then known) in Moreton-in-Marsh where it continues to be displayed for all to enjoy.
Timeline
| 2021 |
On the 27th October 2021 the Lodge resumed after a 20 month recess with the Master proclaimed and all of the officers from 2020 re-invested for a further year followed by an extraordinary triple passing ceremony. Finally on 1st September 2021 the Companions were able to hold a regular Convocation and resume post Covid19 Royal Arch duties. We celebrated the return by exalting a further 2 Lodge Members. On the 23rd June 2021 a “Rule of Six” meeting was held, again limited by Covid19 restrictions but the Principals were installed for the ensuing year. |
| 2020 |
On the 5th March 2020 the Semper Paratus Chapter held an emergency meeting to exalt 2 Lodge Members which proved to be the only meeting in 2020 due Covid19 restrictions. On the 26th of February 2020 the Semper Paratus Lodge Installation Meeting proved to be the only meeting in 2020 due Covid19 restrictions. |
| 2019 | On the 21st of March 2019 the Semper Paratus Chapter performed its first exaltation ceremony. |
| 2018 | The Lodge forms its own Chapter (The Holy Royal Arch). The consecration took place at the Witney Masonic Hall, Church Green, Witney on Saturday 6th October 2018. |
| 2015 | On the 25th of February 2015, a Ballot for Joining membership was conducted for 17 Brethren formerly of the Chedelintone Lodge No.6508. The ex-Chedelintone members proved to be a great asset to the Semper Paratus Lodge, who enthusiastically adopted all its associated customs and traditions. This was demonstrated when all the ex-Chedelintone Lodge members holding Provincial rank purchased undress regalia to support Semper Paratus’s customs with its London roots. |
| 2012 | The Woodstock Masonic Hall and the Province of Oxfordshire having extended the hand of friendship and support. The Lodge moved to the Province of Oxfordshire. The first meeting (under dispensation, pending confirmation of a permanent move) at The Masonic Hall, New Road, Woodstock was held 22nd of February 2012. |
| 2004 | The Centenary meeting took place on the 24th of February 2004. VW Deputy Metropolitan Grand Master Russell John Race PGSwdB presided over proceedings which were attended by a large deputation of Metropolitan Grand Lodge Officers and Grand Lodge Officers. |
| 1980-2000 | During the 1980’s and 90’s coaches could regularly be seen outside 333 Banbury Road picking up brethren, meetings of 40 – 50 in attendance were commonplace. |
| 1973 | On the 24th of October 1973, the Lodge moved to the Southgate Masonic Centre and remained there for the next 40 years. |
| 1972 | In September 1972, following the closure of the Criterion Restaurant the Lodge moved to the Royal Angus Hotel, 39 Coventry Street, London. It was never intended that this would be considered as a permanent home for the Lodge and it only met there six times. |
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1955 | In 1955 the Lodge moved to the Criterion Restaurant, Piccadilly Circus. Unfortunately, there is no information as to why this move came about. |
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1954 | On the 24th of February 1954, the Lodge celebrated it’s 50-year existence and to mark the occasion a special Volume of the Sacred Law, that we still proudly refer to and use in every meeting, it was presented to the Lodge by one of its members, Bro. J S Temple Edwards to commemorate the occasion. |
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1904 | On the 6th of January 1904 the Semper Paratus Lodge was formed as a Masonic Home for members of the National Fire Brigades Union and was added to roll of Metropolitan Lodges. The consecration and inaugural meeting was held at the Holborn Restaurant, High Holborn, London |
Semper Paratus 3015 