To one side of the large memorial at the National Memorial arboretum is the small Masonic garden of remembrance. Where on the 11th hour of the 11th Day of the 11th month 2011, out of sight of the TV cameras and press, the Provincial Grand Master of Staffordshire Thomas DC Lloyd, supported by Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, V.W. Bro. D Gary Read, W. Bro. Colin Denne and Provincial Secretary W. Bro. John Victor Renaudon, laid a Wreath on behalf of Staffordshire, English and indeed all Freemasons the world over. The short service was conducted by Rev Stephen Cooke.
Also present were other Freemasons and their partners, some with their medals others simply remembering lost friends and comrades in arms.
You may wonder why the Freemasons have a garden at the National Memorial Arboretum the answer is simple. Many Freemasons served in all three branches of the military and many still do. Many Regiments had or have lodges. Few outside Masonic circles know that half the Victoria Crosses awarded are held by Freemasons.
After the short service and the laying of the wreath when the Official Masonic party dispersed others, some in uniform who had been at the event at the main memorial service, came past for a quiet act of remembrance at the Masonic garden.
The Masonic garden has, as one would expect, a chequered paved floor. On this paved floor are two ashlars, one rough and one smooth. An ashlar is a hewn building block as one would expect for a mason.
Around the centrepiece is a row of small bushes… it will be many years before the garden matures into the planed design. Like all things Masonic it matures over time,.
