It was the ending of the 1st World War 1914-18 that prompted the birth of the United Service Lodge of Nottinghamshire No 4068. The initial idea to form the Lodge was discussed by a small group of Nottinghamshire masons at an Army Demobilisation Camp at Swaffam at the beginning of 1919.

On October 31st 1919, the first formal committee meeting of the Founders was held at the Masonic Hall Goldsmith St Nottingham and was presided over by the Deputy Provincial Grand Master VW Bro Rev H T Hayman who was proposed as the first WM of the Lodge should it’s formation receive the approval of Grand Lodge. His portrait hangs in the Ionic Temple at Goldsmith Street.

The Warrant of the Lodge was granted by Grand Lodge on January 28th 1920. The design of the Lodge Banner and Founders jewel were resolved as soon as the Warrant had been issued: To that end His Grace the Duke of Portland approached HRH The Prince of Wales and was granted a private audience with him, the result being that HRH granted a Special Private Dispensation that the Lodge could have as its motto ‘Ich Dein’ (I serve) – normally reserved just for the use of the Prince and his immediate household.

Moreover, it was agreed that the Lodge Emblem and Founders’ Jewels could be adorned with the Prince of Wales feathers and the motto beneath. The Founders jewel includes both features in its design.

In the mid-1960s, National Service came to an end, thereby having a significant effect on the pool of possible candidates. Restricted to those who had served in the armed forces, and their sons.

The restrictions were revised to include sons of Freemasons in general and this was further revised to remove the restrictions completely. Nevertheless, it continues to be a feature of this Lodge to a higher than usual proportion of sons following fathers into the Lodge, and we currently have at least six Lewises* amongst our membership including Bros Gordon Foster, Arthur Horobin, John Rourke, David Fisher, Nick Knott-Simey, Richard Darby and Phil Parker.

*a ‘Lewis’ is a term used to describe the son of a Freemason

At the regular meeting in November 1973 it was reported that the Lodge Committee had given notice that a new ‘Chapter’ was to be formed. This is a type of Lodge our brethren can join after passing their third degree and is slightly different to ‘Craft’ Freemasonry, with different regalia.

In 2020, our lodge celebrated our centenary, although due to the Covid pandemic, we were unable to meet in person for some considerable time.

After being able to return to formal meetings in late 2021, we were honoured to be joined by the RW Provincial Grand Master and a delegation of Provincial Grand Lodge offers in receiving our Centenary Warrant.

You may notice some of our brethren adorning a light blue jewel which celebrates this.