1919 was a year with many memorable events. Following the armistice, the previous year, the formal peace treaty, ending the Great War, was signed at Versailles. Alcock and Brown completed the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic. Einstein's theory of general relativity was tested during a total solar eclipse. And the Save the Children Fund was created to help children in Germany and Austria.

 

In the midst of these historic events the formation of Mercia Lodge was taking place. The first entry in the original Minute Book is dated Tuesday 26th February 1919 and includes details of the previous meetings held between prospective Founding members of a ‘new’ Masonic Lodge in Walsall.

 

It is recorded that; ‘in general discussions between Master Masons, that a strong desire had been expressed that a New lodge should be formed, in Walsall, for the purpose of studying Freemasonry and especially its meaning and teachings’.

 

The preparatory meetings and discussions usually took place at W.Bro. Loxton’s offices in Bridge Street, Walsall. He was a solicitor. W.Bro. Loxton was Past Master of the Earl of Shrewsbury Lodge No. 1520.

 

The meeting on 26th February 1919 is significant, as this meeting was to settle whether or not a new Lodge should be proceeded with. Having received positive, though informal, support from both Provincial Grand Lodge and Grand Lodge it was agreed that the first meeting of the founders should be arranged.

 

A number of resolutions were agreed, as suggested items, for the agenda of that first meeting. These included:-

‘That a Lodge be formed, in Walsall, for the purpose of research, discussion and improvement in the knowledge of Freemasonry and especially as to its meaning and teachings’.

 

A fee structure was also suggested; a Founder’s fee of £5.5s.0d (5 Guineas), equivalent to about £300 today, with an annual subscription of £2.2s.0d, about £120 today.

 

It was proposed that W.Bro. Frank James, P.D.Prov.G.M., a P.M. of St. Matthew Lodge No. 539

‘be asked to be a founder and as a mark of sincere respect and regard for him; that he be

asked to accept the position without any pecuniary obligation on his part. Also, that the lodge

be recommended that he be the first Honorary Member with full rights of an ordinary member’.

 

It was also proposed that the name of the Lodge be fixed at a meeting of the founders.

Further informal discussion suggested ‘that as a mark of respect and in recognition of the

many years’ valuable services rendered by W.Bro. Frank James to Freemasonry in general

and Staffordshire in particular; that he be asked to consent that the name of the Lodge to be

the ‘Frank James Lodge’ or that his name be associated with it’. It was also reported that 16

Master Masons had agreed to sign the petition as Founders and that the secretary (W.Bro.

Nightingale) was requested to obtain all their signatures.

 

A further meeting was held, at W. Bro. Loxton’s offices, on the 11th March 1919. W.Bro. Loxton reported that W.Bro James had accepted the proposals of the previous meeting and that he had signed the petition. All 17 signatures having been obtained the secretary was requested to forward the petition to the secretary of St. Mathew Lodge No. 539 for that lodge’s support and signature. Also at this meeting, all the principal officers of the lodge were proposed and seconded. W.Bro. Loxton having been proposed as the first Worshipful Master.

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A special meeting was held on the 3rd April 1919 at which W. Bro. Loxton gave details of an interview between the Grand Secretary and a deputation from the proposed lodge, at which the Grand Secretary expressed strong views against the name of the lodge and advised that the objectives should be secondary. It was proposed and agreed, in spite of the strong views expressed, that the petition be sent to the Grand Secretary accompanied by letters of support for the name of the New Lodge to be the Frank James Lodge.

 

At a further special meeting of the Founders, held on 28th July 1919, the secretary reported that the Grand Secretary had written to confirm that the Grand Master’s advisers were prepared to recommend that (H.R.H.) the Grand Master grant a warrant for the new lodge providing a different lodge name be submitted for approval. {It would appear that around that time the Grand Master’s Council had introduced a rule that new lodges should not be named after living individuals, (most likely due to the events of the previous few years) though no rule number was ever quoted}. After discussions it was agreed that the name Mercia Lodge should be submitted. The names rejected include: Elucidation, the Quest, The Enquiry, St. Chad and others not recorded. It was also reported by the secretary that the Masonic Hall Company at Walsall had informed him that a charge of £2.2s.0d would be made for the hire of the hall. It was also reported that the offer of St. Matthews Lodge No. 539 to allow the New Lodge to use their furniture at a charge of 1 guinea a year be accepted with gratitude.

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W.Bro. Loxton proposed and W.Bro. Parkes seconded that each member of the New Lodge subscribe a sum of £3.3s.0d towards forming a ‘Library of Masonic Works’ for the use of the members. The last meeting of the Founders was held, again, at the offices of W.Bro. Loxton in Walsall, on 26th August 1919.

 

The secretary reported that the alternative name for the Lodge had been accepted and that a warrant would be sent. Mercia Lodge was given the number 3995 in the Register of the United Grand Lodge of England. The secretary called together the various sub-committees that had been formed, who, at their various meetings, had discussed and formulated recommendations as to:- Hospitality, place for holding the Consecration Ceremony, Officer’s Collars and Jewels, dinner, etc, etc.

No minutes of these sub-committees exist, if any were formally taken. The arrangements must have been near completion when this meeting took place as the Consecration Ceremony was planned for Tuesday 23rd September 1919, less than a month after this meeting took place.