The 20 Provincial Grand Masters of Essex in 40 minutes
250 years of Provincial History were brought alive for 40 minutes when The Richard Clowes Lodge travelled back in time discovering amazing facts
On Saturday 21st March 2026 at the white table meeting in Colchester of the Richard Clowes Lodge No. 2936, members and their guests were entertained for 40 minutes with an unusual, but most enjoyable, talk about the 20 Provincial Grand Masters (PGMs) of Essex.
Beginning with the Message sent by HM Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, in which she thanked the Province for all that its members had done for the people and institutions of Essex since 1776. The Provincial Historian, Tony Hales, shared many surprising details he had researched about each of our 20 PGMs, whose combined leadership over 250 years has resulted in such an appreciative congratulatory Message being received.
Events such as fleeing abroad from creditors, having a full military funeral, arbitrating against USA claims for Civil War compensation, getting married in Westminster Abbey, gallantry in the Boer Wars and WW1, affairs with famous Hollywood actresses and working for Barnes Wallis in WW2, were just some of the many stories covered.
Tony Hales also highlighted that Richard Clowes was described by the Countess of Warwick as one of the most active members of the Province of Essex. On 27th July 1901, when 400 Essex Brethren and ladies from Essex were hosted at Warwick Castle, it was Richard Clowes who proposed the toast to the Earl and Countess of Warwick. This may well have been the occasion when the idea of forming The Richard Clowes Lodge was first conceived.
In December 1902 when The Richard Clowes Lodge was consecrated, the PGM was Colonel Mark Lockwood MP (later Lord Lambourne). In the House he was known by all as ‘Uncle Mark’, being chairman of the Kitchen Committee responsible for the comforts of MPs.
Well-known also in Parliament for his intense hatred of cruelty to animals, he additionally served as Vice President of the RSPCA, President of the Royal Horticultural Society and Chairman of the Governors of Chigwell School from 1893 to 1922, as well as serving from 1919 until his death as Lord-Lieutenant of Essex.
On behalf of everyone present, the Master of the Lodge, Worshipful Brother Dermid ‘Cass’ Forde, thanked Tony Hales for such an exceptional presentation which everybody had thoroughly enjoyed and presented him with a donation from the Lodge of £150 for the RSPCA, the Charity which was so close to the heart of the longest-serving PGM of Essex (26 years from 1902 to 1928).
Endpiece:
As part of the Province's 250th Anniversary celebrations, the commemorative book entitled The 20 Provincial Grand Masters of Essex 1776 to 2026 is being published. Comprehensively researched and highly illustrated, it contains the full 'Message' from HM Lord-Lieutenant to all Essex Freemasons', a Forward by Paul Tarrant, the Provincial Grand Master, and over 120 pages of fascinating information about each of our PGMs.
Photos:
Top: Richard Clowes proposed the Toast to The Earl and Countess of Warwick when they hosted 400 Essex Brethren and Ladies at Warwick Castle in 1901. Source and picture credit: Masonic Illustrated - September 1901
Left: Daisy, Countess of Warwick, had so many propositions that a famous song was inspired by her with the words: "Daisy, Daisy" give me your answer do'. She married our 8th PGM, Lord Brooke (later 5th Earl of Warwick) in Westminster Abbey. Photo copyright V&A Museum from the Lafayette Negative Archive
Right: Left panel: Our 9th and longest-serving PGM was also the Vice President of the RSPCA. Caricature of Mark Lockwood MP, later Lord Lambourne - by Spy in Vanity Fair Right panel: The RSPCA found loving new homes for more than 12,000 animals in a decade in Essex. This remarkable rehoming feat was revealed to mark its 200th birthday in 2024. Source - Our Harlow
