BEAUCHAMP LODGE 1422 - The West Kent Military Lodge

Here’s a Beauchamp Lodge Member Profile from
Mark Eyles-Thomas.
Our team has asked him a set of routine questions that
will provide you with a brief insight into his military or civilian service.
We hope you find it of interest.

If you are interested in joining our Military Lodge simply message us using the form provided on the contact us page.

What is your name?

Mark Eyles-Thomas

Mark Eyles-Thomas which service did you serve in?

Army

What regiment / unit did you serve in?

The Parachute Regiment

What is the regiment’s / unit’s Motto?

Utrinque Paratus - Ready for anything.

When did you serve?

From: 9th September 1980 To: 30th June 1985

Any notable experiences in service?

Represented the Junior Parachute Company in Athletics (Junior Army Champions) and Basketball (Junior Army Runners up) - Started Junior service from 9th September 1980 as Junior Infantryman Mark Eyles-Thomas and ended Junior service as Junior Corporal Mark Eyles-Thomas in August 1981, having been busted (reduced in rank for an indiscretion involving ‘high spirits).

Served in Operation Corporate as a 17 year old (Falklands War 1982). Set sail from Southampton on board SS Canberra on the 9th April and after cross decking to HMS Intrepid eventually landed in Port San Carlos (Green Beach) on the 21st May and tabbed (Tactical Advance to Battle) across the Island (approx. 80 miles) - Port San Carlos > Teal Inlet > Estancia House > Mount Estancia > Mount Longdon > Port Stanley. Had my 18th birthday on board MV Norland on way home.

Fought on Mount Longdon on 11–12 June 1982. Battle was fought between the British 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment and elements of the Argentine 7th Infantry Regiment. Platoon Sergeant Ian McKay was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

French Para course (1983), served in Belize (6 months tour) in 1984 and several tours of Greenham Common during the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) protests. On the 25th anniversary of the Falklands Campaign I wrote a book of my experiences.

What rank were you on leaving?

Lance Corporal (L/Cpl)

How did you join Freemasonry?

Joined Freemasonry in 1993 after discussions with a work colleague.

What do you get from Freemasonry?

A fantastic social diary. I thoroughly enjoy the pomp and ceremony and the camaraderie. There is such a wide variety of members that I am constantly meeting new brethren all of which have such interesting stories. It has also helped me with my own personal development.

I have been very fortunate to have been a member of the West Kent executive team in that in 2012 I became the Provincial Grand Mentor, a position I held for 4 years. In 2016 I was promoted to Assistant Provincial Grand Master (APGM) responsible for Group 1 (approx 50 Lodges). In 2018 I was again promoted to Deputy Provincial Grand Master (DPGM), an Office I held until 2022.

I am a subscribing member of 8 Lodges, 6 in West Kent; Beauchamp Lodge No. 1422, John Roan School Lodge No. 5085, West Kent Masters’ No. 5778, Universal No. 8219, North Kent Masters’ No. 9062, Fiennes Cornwallis No. 9279, and 2 London Lodges; Regularity No. 91 & FitzRoy No. 569. I am also extremely privileged to have been invited to be an Honorary member of 19 other West Kent Lodges.

I have also joined a number of Orders outside of Craft Freemasonry. I am a Grand Officer in the Holy Royal Arch (PAGStB) where I subscribe to 4 Chapters; Hervey No. 1692, Universal No. 8210, West Kent Stewards No. 8565 and Regents Park Meridian, No. 9202, I am a 30th Degree Masons in Rose Croix and I have recently joined Mark Masonry and the Royal Arch Mariners.

A photograph from December 1981 of Mark Eyles-Thomas wearing a parachute and a reserve parachute just prior to him taking first balloon jump. Mark is standing with other members of 476 platoon and/or the parachute jump course
First balloon jump - December 1981
The official pass-off photograph of 476 Platoon in front of the Dakota plane outside the Depot the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces, Browning Barracks, Aldershot. The photograph was taken in January 1982. Snow covers the ground and a blue arrow points out Mark Eyles-Thomas
476 Platoon, January 1982 - Pass Out photo
A photograph of 4 Platoon B Company 3 Para on board Sailing Ship Canberra (the P and O cruise liner commandeered by the Navy to sail troops to the South Atlantic, Falkland Islands). Sergeant Ian McKay, who is subsequently posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Mount Longdon attack, is highlighted by a red circle. Mark Eyles-Thomas is highlighted by a black arrow
4 Platoon, B Company, 3 Para onboard SS Canberra (Sgt. Ian McKay VC circled) - April 1982
A photograph of Mark Eyles-Thomas and Ron Duffy both standing in their trench at Port San Carlos Falkland Islands 1982. Mark is wearing his parachute smock and holding his rifle
Port San Carlos , Falkland Islands (Mark Eyles-Thomas with rifle & Pte Ron Duffy) - May 1982
A picture of Mark Eyles-Thomas in his cabin sitting on his bed on board Sailing Ship Canberra prior to cross-decking to HMS Intrepid
Onboard SS Canberra before cross-decking to HMS Intrepid (Falklands 1982)
A picture of some of the members of 4 platoon in the television room in the B Company block, Normandy Barracks, Montgomery Lines Aldershot 1985.Mark Eyles-Thomas is wearing a Lance Corporal’s stripe
4 Platoon, B Company, 3 Para 1985
Mark Eyles-Thomas and another member of 4 platoon (face covered for security reasons) outside the guard hut at Salamanca Camp, Belize 1984
Belize 1984
A photograph of Mark Eyles-Thomas, Patrol Commander, receiving last minute instructions before setting off for the Observation Post at Tree-Tops on the Belizean/Guatemalan border. The other members of the patrol can be seen loading the equipment into the Puma helicopter which is due to fly the patrol from Salamanca Camp to the Tree-Tops OP - 1984
Last minute briefing before off on patrol in Belize 1984
A photograph of Mark Eyles-Thomas with Lieutenant General Hew Pike. General Pike was the Commanding Officer of 3 para during the Falklands Campaign 1982
With Lt-Gen Sir Hew Pike KCB DSO MBE - CO of 3 Para on Mount Longdon 1982
A picture of the inside of the book Sod That For A Game Of Soldiers, written by Mark Eyles-Thomas in 2007 for the 25th anniversary of the Falklands campaign. The inside of the book has been signed by Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister at the time of the Falklands War. Beneath the signature is a photograph of Baroness Thatcher shaking Mark’s hand with a written note on the photograph that says To Tom, Margaret Thatcher
Mark Eyles-Thomas with Baroness Margaret Thatcher former Prime Minister - 2007
A photograph of Mark Eyles-Thomas sitting at the Junior Warden’s pedestal when he was Junior Warden of Universal Lodge circa 1988
Junior Warden circa 1998
A photograph of Mark Eyles-Thomas Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province of West Kent wearing his chain of office and Masonic regalia
Deputy Provincial Grand Master 2018 - 2022

Information supplied by Mark Eyles-Thomas and published with his consent

If you’d like to know more about us or how to join our Military Lodge simply click the contact us link and message us your details. We will be very happy to answer any enquiries you may have.

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