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History 1900 to 1930
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We observe that in 1900 the Lodge made its third attempt to form a Lodge of Instruction, this time "in accordance with the Book of Constitutions". In 1904 a Secretary was appointed but within a short time attendance dwindled. In 1910 the Lodge of Instruction was revived and it has continued ever since. The first meeting of 1912 was their first one in the Yeomanry Hall.
In 1902 the Lodge presented their organist Bro. Young with a gold watch and chain, and a purse of 10 guineas.
This period of Lodge History is primarily remarkable for the amount of work performed. Calling off from labour to refreshment, which was provided by the Worshipful Master, and calling on became regular practice. Some examples from the year 1908, which is the first year entertainment is recorded as "provided" at the festive board. In March a raising, calling off, calling on, then an initiation. In May, a raising, passing with tracing board, calling off, calling on and then three separate initiations. The charge after initiation however, was on this occasion, delivered collectively.
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In 1912, W. Bro. Hooker became Director of Ceremonies and the die of our Lodge working from then on was cast. The Lodge furnishings were completed with the purchase of two wands for the Director of Ceremonies and his assistant.
In October 1914, Great Britain had been at war with Germany for a little over two months. The minutes record that letters of thanks be sent to the Acting Tyler as the Tyler Bro. W. Coleman was at the front, and to all members of the Lodge on active service wishing them a speedy return to their Lodge. Later, festive boards were restricted to coffee and biscuits and banquets were changed to suppers.
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Several emergency meetings were held at this time to enable Brothers unable to attend their Mother Lodges to be passed or raised.
The minutes mention the loss of an Army Captain, a merchant seaman promoted to Captain and then lost, torpedoed or mined, off Folkestone. There were several distressing reports of the loss on active service of Brethren and the sons of Brethren. We quote one family as an example. W. Bro. C. A. Bennett, a member since 1880, Master in 1889, Secretary 1897 - 1904, Treasurer 1908 - 1913, Mayor of Buckingham 1900. His son Bro. C. H. Bennett was initiated in 1908 and W. Bro. Bennett gave the charge.
Promoted to Captain Bro. C. H. Bennett was wounded at Gallipoli and while at home recovering was able to attend just one Lodge, in 1915, with his Father. Captain Bennett returned to France and was killed in battle in October 1918.
In spite of such times the minutes show that "the Junior Brethren must be given instruction in the proper method of giving certain signs".
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Also, in October 1915, the Lodge incurred a fine of £1. 0. 0. as no member of Grenville attended Provincial Grand Lodge. After an explanation from the Secretary the fine was cancelled but the Provincial Secretary made it quite clear that if there was a repetition the Lodge would not be let off again. The S.W. suggested the Initiates' aprons should be cleaned. The Secretary was instructed to arrange for this to be done and as far as is known, from the appearance of the aprons, successive secretaries are still working on it.
Later in the war the same S.W. drew the attention of Brethren to the fact that the room was cold. This was due to 10 cwt. of Lodge coal being under Military guard which was immovable without the permission of W. Bro. Captain Cole. The secretary was instructed to arrange to have a supply of coal in the Lodge room. He has included in the minutes that" .... No Lodge Secretary worthy of his position should be concerned about such petty details and extraneous matter"
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In 1917 the Provincial Grand Master Admiral Inglefield wished to be present at our Installation meeting, which was re-arranged to accommodate him. At the last minute War Business" interfered" and his visit was postponed for three years. When he did attend he witnessed two passing’s with Tracings Boards, two Initiations with the charge, followed by the Installation of W. Bro. Major Hooker, as Master for 1920.
The seven Initiates of 1917 presented W. Bro. Bray with a collar and silver pendant on which their names were inscribed. This was to mark a unique occasion as no Master previously or since had initiated seven Brethren himself.
In March 1919, the first mention of a brother being initiated by his Father is recorded. W. Bro. J. L. Bowley, Vicar of Hillesden, and Master of Grenville initiated his son Lieutenant C. G. L. Bowley, R.F.C
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In May 1920, every member of the Lodge pledged themselves to give 1 guinea per year for five years to the Masonic Million Peace Memorial Building Fund. The aim was to build a Temple in Great-Queen Street, London. A Memorial to Masons from all over the world who gave their lives in the Great War.
Five years later the brethren borrowed £116 18s. 0d. to complete their quota of £493 10s. 0d. towards this fund and thus qualified as a Hall Stone Lodge. At a Grand Festival at Olympia, Hall Stone Medals were presented to each qualifying Lodge. W. Bro. Hooker first wore the medal presented to Grenville at the Lodge meeting in October 1926. It is now transferred with due ceremony to his successors in October every year.
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In December 1932, the Grand Master presented the Provincial Grand Master of Buckinghamshire with a Provincial Hall Stone Medal as every Lodge in Buckinghamshire had qualified as a Hall Stone Lodge. This was an unique event and Buckinghamshire has a room named after the Province at Freemasons' Hall. In July 1933, the new Temple was dedicated by the Duke of Connaught, Grand Master of England, third son of Queen Victoria. There is a letter of thanks from the Duke of Connaught, Clarence House, St. James', dated 21st July, 1933 in the minutes of every Lodge in the British Empire at that time.
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Throughout these years the work of the Lodge continued as usual with many accolades being showered on Grenville for its high standards and its fine Temple. The minutes for this period are immaculate. It is interesting to note that apologies for absence were always in writing and the Secretary read them. Brethren proposed and seconded them, and a ballot was taken, before the apology was accepted. This explains why we report absences today under the heading" Secretary's Communications"
The summonses for Lodge Meetings for this period have been bound into volumes, and each has a précis of the minutes added, plus comments on the festive board. Suppers, except for Installation, cost about 3/6 and entertainment, provided by two or three of the Brethren, was a regular feature.
Attendances had risen to about the same as today; for example, in 1924, thirty-two members and thirty-five visitors attended the Installation of W. Bro. F. J. Pollard.
In January 1925, W. Bro. Major Hooker was installed once more as Master. He remained in office for twenty-two months when the Installation meeting was altered to November of each year. In 1926, W. Bro. Major Hooker became our first Grand Officer when he was appointed Assistant Grand Sword Bearer of the United Grand Lodge of England.
In October 1927 the Lodge of Instruction Bye-Laws were drawn up and approved by the Provincial Grand Lodge.
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In January 1928, the meeting day was changed from the third Tuesday of the month to the third Wednesday. In November 1929, it was agreed that the Lodge should meet, as it does today, on the second Wednesday of the month