As a result of a communication received by the Provincial office, WBro Duncan Jolly of St Peter’s Lodge No. 442 reached-out to Bro Arnold Wills of the United Industrious Lodge No. 31, which meets at Canterbury.
Arnold, a Peterborian, Kings School (Schola Regia) pupil and Peterborough Cathedral chorister, had written with regards to his great uncle, George Gaches, and his great cousin, Vernon Gaches, both of whom were past members of St Peter’s Lodge.
Vernon was initiated on the 11th of January 1906, that being the traditional month of Installation at St. Peters.
Due to Vernon's impending return to his country of residence, South Africa, and by means of a special concession, a separate initiation ceremony was held before the Installation commenced.
At the start of World War I, Vernon joined an African regiment and set sail for Europe as part of the huge Commonwealth forces joining Britain and France, who were entrenched in war with Germany.
Vernon paid the ultimate sacrifice, when on the 21st of September 1917, he died at the Battle of Passchendeale, almost exactly 100-years prior to Bro Arnold's enquiry being received by St. Peter's Lodge. His name is recorded in the Cathedral at St Sprite’s Chapel as a past member of Schola Regia.
At the request of Arnold, and as secretary of St Peter's Lodge, WBro Jolly laid a wreath at the Cathedral on the 100th anniversary of Vernon's death.
WBro Duncan Jolly with the wreath commemorating the death of Bro Vernon Gaches
Thanks must also go to WBro John Statham for his time and efforts in helping to find the records of George and Vernon. Copies of those records were sent to Bro Arnold and WBro Tony Elsey so as to facilitate provision of the wreath by the Royal British Legion.
A more detailed article containing copies of the St Peter’s Lodge records pertaining to Bro Vernon will appear in the Spring edition of Password.