The Formation of the Lord Warden Lodge No 1096
The information regarding the Formation, Consecration and history of the Lord Warden Lodge is unfortunately incomplete. Due to the insurmountable loss due to War damage of all minute books prior to 1932.
The Lodge does still have a number of important documents and minute books in its possession, and Members Registers from the 21st April 1866. From these emerges the Patten of over 150 years of Masonic History in Walmer.
The FORMATION of the LODGE
The petition for the formation of the Lord Warden Lodge was signed by The Master and Wardens of Peace and Harmony Lodge No 199, Dover, and forwarded on the 26th February 1866, to Grand Lodge, with a recommendation by the Provincial Grand Master of Kent, William Archer, Viscount Holmesdale (afterwards 3rd Earl Amherst).
Petitioners Lodge No Age Residence Profession
Robert Douglas No 784 Deal 42 Army & Navy Cl. London Maj. in Army
Thomas Marrable Ireland 33 Barracks, Walmer. Foreman of Works
Josiah Robinson 784 Deal 27 South Eastern Bank Deal Bank Manager
Timothy Morris 784 Deal 50 Barracks, Walmer. Quarter Master
Carl Liebermann 784 Deal 43 Wellington Terrace, Deal, Gentleman.
William Barlow 784 Deal 40 Strand, Walmer Paymasters Sergt.
Richard Moss 555 Fermoy 34 Barracks, Walmer Sergt Major.
George Northover 903 Portsmouth 34 Barracks, Walmer Sergt Major.
Thomas James Usher 972 Canterbury 27 Duke St Deal, Accountant
Edward Hammond 784 Deal 40 Upper Walmer Brewers Clerk
John Thomas Outwin 784 Deal 46 Walmer Stationer
John Smith 784 Deal 44 Strand Walmer Gentleman
George Lennock 784 Deal 36 Palmerston Villas, Walmer, Gentleman
Lodge Number 784, is the Wellington Lodge, with which we share our current Lodge Building.
The Warrent was issued on the 28th February, 1866 and signed by Command of the Grand Master, Thomas Dundas, Earl of Zetland, KG KT.
The Lodge was allocated the number 1096 and designated “The Lord Warden Lodge”.
HISTORICAL NOTE
Prior to 1932 when there was a general re-numbering of English Lodges, 1096 was the number of “The Warden Lodge Sutton Coldfield”. Their number is now 794.
After the Consecration Ceremony there were 14 Brethren elected as joining members of the Lodge and the undermentioned were Initiated:
- John Branfill Harrison. Age 40 Vicar of Walmer (Passed 15th March 1867, Raised 16th April 1867)
- James Hinton. Age 36 Surgeon, The Barracks Walmer. (Left Walmer on Active Duty, 1867, before further advancement).
The Lodge was to meet on the 1st and 3rd Friday every month.
The members Register notes that all had paid 2/- for Quarterage to Benevolence, and 2/6 for Register Fees and Certificate in the case of Initiates was 17/-.
An Inventory Parchment, now in the Lodge’s possession, lists the Ornaments, Furniture, Jewels, Clothing and other Properties belonging to the Lord Warden Lodge No 1096, to be handed over to the respective Worshipful Master on nights of Installation. (This is now in electronic form).
On the Front of the Inventory were written the names of successive Worshipful Masters from 1866 to 1879.

It has been difficult to locate the Original Lodge building, records show that the public house was called the Royal Standard Hotel, North Barrack Road. The above picture shows part of North Barrack Road, and a possible location for our second meeting place, the Lord Warden Inn 1867