We are staring to compile an interesting look into the past of our Lodge. We have an interesting history which reaches back as far as being formed on 19th May 1838, although our warrant is dated 26th March 1839 and was probably not received by the Brothers until later that year. We were formed in Simla, India as a British Army lodge and have had some very esteemed members. Our history can be accessed via the Museum at Gt Queen St by appointment made through our Secretary.
September 2020 News update
.Lodge HB 459 silk Collection Purse with Lord Curzon,s Coat of Arms. We will keep it safe until as a Lodge i am sure we will decide to deposit it with the rest of our History at the Museum at Grand Lodge, Gt Queen St, London WC2 B 5AZ
Himalayan BrotherhoodSilk Purse from an early Member of our Lodge Lord Curzon Viceroy of India
We are very lucky to have received via Grand Lodge this Himalayan Brotherhood Silk purse. It has Lord Curzon's family coat of arms on it along with The English and American flags depicting we think his personal marital union with his wives both being American. We will research our Lodge history more after the pandemic has eased but we are sure Lord Curzon was a member of Himalayan Brotherhood 459.
Big thank you to the family of the Rev John William Henderson for returning this irreplaceable item back into the hands of HB 459. We will be eternally grateful to you.
Lord William Beresford VC KCBE
Such a brave man and you can see the list of Masonic recipients of the VC here.
https://freemasonry.bcy.ca/biography/victoria_cross/masonic_recipients.html
Lord William Leslie de la Poer Beresford VC KCBE
Lord Beresford was a member of HB 459 and received the VC for bravery.
Our Lodge Banner
HB 459 Banner opposite Most of it is self explanatory to a Freemason with exception of a few things. The Himalayan rose grows abundantly wild in the Simla (now Shimla) area. The Onions i have researched and found they they too grow wild and abundantly in this area. The Embroidery on the banner is of a high quality and we were told by the Embroidery dept at Freemasons Hall that it is made of Silk. There is also a hut in the background, this i am told was where our past Brothers used to meet.
Corner Tassels
We have the four corner posts which were put out to mark the Lodge floor when our brothers met at the hut in Simla which we still use at our meetings today. We had to have the tassels redone as they were falling apart.
