The History of the lodge:-
SUPERBE SERVUINT --- “PROUDLY WE SERVE.”
I was flattered when Charles Bailey asked me to write the history of the first twenty-five years of Pegasus Forces Lodge and I readily volunteered. As an old soldier, I should have known better, as I did not realise how absorbing and time consuming the task would prove!
Although I was only recently honoured with Honorary Membership, I have been involved with the Lodge since its inception. While in the Chair of Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge No. 1971 I gave the notice of motion in November 1989 that: “This Lodge should sponsor the formation of Pegasus Forces Lodge to meet at the Edward Street Masonic Hall in Aldershot”. The proposal was not balloted upon until May 1990, by which time I had installed my successor and as a result he signed the Petition. Thereafter, I attended the Consecration, have been a regular visitor and have acted as Senior Warden seven times during the Inner Working at Installation meetings.
Also I have close connections with the Airborne Forces. My proposer into Freemasonry in 1969 was W.Bro. Maj. John Went P.A.G.D.C., who as Adjutant of 7 (L.I.) Para. parachuted into France on D-Day. In addition during the late seventies I set up the Medical Support Teams at Hereford that enabled the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Special Air Service to use the weapon systems that did so much to ensure the success of the storming of the Iranian Embassy in May 1980 and the survival of 19 of the 20 hostages.
The military ranks, honorifics and Masonic ranks detailed are those contemporary with the period described. All Provincial Masonic ranks refer to Hampshire and Isle of Wight, unless otherwise delineated. Brackets () surrounding the abbreviation used for Military Units indicate that the Brother concerned had retired from the services at the time his name is mentioned.
The final draft has been edited and proof read by W.Bro. Col Mike Thomas P.J.G.D. and I am most grateful for his time, expertise and enthusiasm.
V.W.Bro. Maj. Roger H. Jago P.G.SwdB. Honorary Member
About the Author
V.W.Bro. Maj. Roger Hugh Jago (R.A.M.C.) M.A., M.B., B.Chir., F.R.C.A., P.G.SwdB.
Born Yealmpton, Devon on 16th February 1944.
Educated at Taunton School (1955 - 63); Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge (1963 - 66); St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School, London (1966 - 69); and the Royal Army Medical College 1970.
Commissioned in the R.A.M.C. as a Medical Cadet in 1966. Initial military service as Regimental Medical Officer of the 1st Bn The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (1970 - 73) and thereafter as a Hospital Specialist in Anaesthesia and Resuscitation. Retired as a Consultant in the rank of Major in April 1983. Civilian Consultant Adviser to the Director General Army Medical Services at the Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot (1990 - 96).
Consultant in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals N.H.S. Trust, Reading (1983 - 2003).
First Initiate Taunton School Lodge No. 8215 in September 1968, W.M. 1987. Joined Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge No. 1971 in November 1978, W.M. 1989; Old Tauntonian Lodge No. 5735 in December 1988, W.M. 1993; Hampshire and Isle of Wight Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge No. 9263 in July 1992 and an Honorary Member since 2006; and Thomas Dunckerley Lodge No. 9514 in March 2002, W.M. 2007. An Honorary Member of Pegasus Forces Lodge No. 9393 since 2015. Formerly a Member of Saxony Lodge No. 842 (G.L.B.F.G.) (1981 - 95); and Caius Lodge No. 3355 (1994 - 2004), W.M. 1996.
Prov.G.Stwd 1992, Prov.S.G.D. (Somerset) 1993, Prov.S.G.W. 1997, L.G.R. 1999, P.A.G.D.C. 2001, Dep.G.SwdB. 2003, G.SwdB. 2005 and P.Pr.S.G.W. (Somerset) 2007.
Exalted in the Old Tauntonian Chapter No. 5735 in April 1974, M.E.Z. 1989, 1996 and 2012. Joined Connaught Chapter No. 1971 in November 1986, M.E.Z. 1993; Bard of Avon Chapter No. 778 in July 2005, M.E.Z. 2009; and St John’s Chapter No. 9395 in June 2014, M.E.Z. 2014. A Founder of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Provincial Grand Stewards Chapter No. 9263 in November 1996 and an Honorary Member since 2005. Also an Honorary Member of 16 other Chapters. Formerly a Member of the Chapter of Rectitude No. 335 (2003 - 12).
Prov.G.Stwd 1995, Prov.G.SwdB. 1998, L.G.C.R. 1999, 2ndProv.G.P. 2000, P.G.St.B. 2001 and M.E.G.Supt (2001 - 11).
Also a holder of Grand rank in the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees and a Member of the 32nd Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Rite.
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