Foreword :-
This Province is immensely proud of its connection with the Armed Forces and a number of our Lodges were founded on the strength of that association. There are fourteen such Lodges on the Provincial Roll, the oldest of which has been working for 133 years and is the Mother Lodge of Pegasus Forces Lodge, which is the youngest and is now celebrating its silver jubilee. It is consistent with the best traditions of our Military Lodges that Pegasus Forces should decide to mark the occasion by the production of this history, which provides a fascinating insight into the Lodge both before and after its Consecration, but more particularly into the ethos and culture of our Airborne Forces.
From the outset considerable thought was given to emphasise the Lodge’s connection with the Airborne Forces and these are detailed in the text. Those relating to the ceremonial have to be experienced for their full effect to be apparent – something which I was privileged to witness as the Consecrating Senior Warden of the Lodge. I well remember the very moving Oration, the unique Closing and the special After Proceedings at the Royal Aldershot Officers’ Club. A great day that marked the dawn of a Lodge, which is now celebrating 25 years of service to the Province, whilst providing an appropriate Masonic Unit for Members of the Airborne Forces and their connections.
The selection of V.W.Bro. Roger Jago to take responsibility for the production of the narrative was an inspired decision, as he is well known for his love of history, the Military, and Freemasonry; and in this manuscript those three loves come together to produce an inspiring and compelling read for all who are privileged to get their hands on a copy. It is a great credit not only to the Lodge and its Members over the past 25 years, but also to the courage and discipline of those Units which make up our Airborne Forces.
I commend it to all Freemasons as an example for others to follow – very apt for Pegasus Forces.
R.W.Bro. Michael J. Wilks Provincial Grand Master Hampshire and Isle of Wight
“Every Man an Emperor”
"What manner of men are these who wear the red beret?
They are firstly all volunteers and are then toughened by hard physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness, which comes from physical well-being. They have jumped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear.
Their duty lies in the van of battle; they are proud of that honour and have never failed in any task. They have the highest standards in all things whether it be skills in battle or smartness in execution of all peacetime duties.
They have shown themselves to be as tenacious and determined in defence as they are courageous in attack.
They are in fact, men apart”.
F.M. the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein K.G., G.C.B., D.S.O., P.C. (note #)
“As a military man, and speaking from experience, I can say that I have known many soldiers who were Masons, but never a good Mason who was a bad soldier”.
F.M. the Viscount Combermere G.C.B., G.C.H., K.C.S.I., P.C. (note *)
# Commissioned as a 2/Lt in the 6th Regiment of Foot (R.Warks) in September 1908. He saw action in the First World War, was seriously wounded and was awarded the D.S.O. During the Second World War he commanded the Eighth Army from August 1942 in North Africa until the final Allied victory in Tunisia. This period included the Battle of El Alamein, a turning point in the Western Desert Campaign. He subsequently commanded the Eighth Army in Sicily and Italy before being given responsibility for planning the D-Day invasion in Normandy. He was in command of all Allied ground forces during Operation Overlord from the initial landings until after the Battle of Normandy. He then continued in command of the 21st Army Group for the rest of the campaign in North West Europe. As such he was the overall field commander for the unsuccesful airborne attempt to capture the bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. On 4th May 1945 he took the German surrender on Lüneburg Heath in Northern Germany. After the war he became C-in-C of the British Army of the Rhine and then Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
* Commissioned as a 2/Lt in the 23rd Regiment of Foot (R.W.Fus) in February 1790, transferred to the VlthDrag.Gds (Carabiniers) as a Capt. in 1793 and later served with the XXVth and XVlth L.Drags. He served as C-in-C of Ireland (1822 - 25) and C-in-C of India (1825 - 30). Served as Prov.G.M. for Cheshire (1830 - 60).
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