Holmes Lodge

About Edward Holmes

Holmes   Lodge   was   formed   in   1924   to   honour   the   then   Provincial   Grand   Master,   Edward Holmes.   He   was   Chief   Constable   of   Leicestershire,   and   is   credited   with   having   the   first Police   Car   in   the   country,   in   fact   he   had   two!   Holmes   was   born   in   Melton   Mowbray   and he   came   from   an   agricultural   background.   It   is   said   that   he   walked   all   the   way   from Melton   to   Leicester   when   a   young   man   in   search   of   work.   He   found   a   position   as   a   Post Office   Clerk,   but   spent   much   of   his   spare   time   in   the   police   courts   where   he   developed a    keen    interest    in    criminal    law    and    crime    detection.    He    was    spotted    by    the    local constabulary and was offered a position in the force. His   administrative   ability   soon   carried   him   up   the   ranks:   he   never   was   a   "beat   bobby!" Holmes   was   a   keen   sportsman   and   played   at   County   standard   in   Cricket,   once   playing opposite   the   great   WG   Grace   on   Victoria   Park   in   Leicester.   He   was   initiated   into   St John`s   Lodge   and   became   it's   Secretary   in   due   course.   He   was   soon   rising   up   the "Provincial Tree"   and   became   Provincial   Grand   Secretary.   He   was   also   a   member   of   the Lodge   of   Research,   and   was   instrumental   in   creating   Lodge   Semper   Eadem,   Holmes Lodge`s   mother   lodge.   Semper   contained   many   of   the   most   influential   local   masons who   were   in   the   vanguard   of   the   move   to   create   a   new   Masonic   Hall   in   London   Road, as   the   old   Halford   Street   premises   were   too   small   for   the   growing   numbers   of   the   Craft. Holmes   became   Provincial   Grand   Master   in   1913   almost   by   default.   He   had   been Deputy   Provincial   Grand   Master   to   the   Earl   Ferrers,   and   on   the   latter`s   resignation Grand   Lodge   wished   the   Duke   of   Rutland   to   become   Provincial   Grand   Master.   Ill   heath prevented   this   from   occurring   and   Holmes   was   installed--the   first   non-aristocrat   to   hold the    position.    Holmes    was    held    in    high    esteem    by    both    his    Masonic    and    police colleagues.   He   obtained   good   rates   of   pay   and   conditions   of   service   for   his   constables, and was very solicitous for the Lodges under his care. When   he   died   he   was   the   oldest   Chief   Constable   in   service   in   England   and   Wales. Holmes    Lodge    honours    his    memory    at    every    meeting,    and    also    preserves    other traditions   such   as   the   use   of   firing   glasses   to   emphasise   the   importance   of   particular toasts,    for    example    those    to    candidates    who    have    just    gone    through    a    degree ceremony.   Rolling   fire   is   given   by   the   Worshipful   Master   banging   his   glass   down   on   the table   at   the   Festive   Board   ,   and   he   is   followed   by   all   others   in   turn.   This   is   done   three times,   with   a   series   of   one,   two   and   then   three   knocks,   and   then   all   bring   their   glasses down   together!   It   should   be   stated   for   those   unfamiliar   with   this   lovely   old   custom   that the   glasses   are   specially   made   with   very   heavy   bases   and   that   they   do   not   contain liquid! Holmes   Lodge   is   the   Mother   Lodge   of   Prince   Rupert   Lodge,   and   meets   together   with   its "mother"   and   "daughter"   every   year.It   is   also   closely   associated   with   Holmes   Chapter   in the Holy Royal Arch degree.