BEAUCHAMP LODGE 1422 - The West Kent Military Lodge

Amazing visit to HAC

Author:
Mark Eyles-Thomas
PDProvGM West Kent, Member of Beauchamp Lodge No.1422
Date:
27 April 2023
Category:
HAC

On Monday 24th April the West Kent Military Lodge (Beauchamp Lodge #1422), and its guests, visited the HAC (Honourable Artillery Company).

The afternoon started with a guided tour of the HAC Armoury, where we were shown the body armour worn and the weaponry carried by the Pikemen and Musketeers. Our host, Chris Huxtable was suitably attired and entertained the brethren throughout.

A picture of Chris Huxtable in his HAC Musketeer’s uniform. Chris is Secretary of the FitzRoy lodge
A photo of some of the photographs that adorn the walls of the HAC Armoury
A picture of Bipin Patel, West Kent holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour
A picture of Marcus Lincoln, West Kent holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour
A picture of Neville Fourie, West Kent holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour
A picture of two members of Lodge Jamrud, holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour
A picture of a member of Lodge Jamrud, holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour
A picture of Chris Huxtable in his HAC Musketeer’s uniform explaining some of the items in the armoury
A picture of Chris Huxtable in his HAC Musketeer’s uniform explaining some of the items in the armoury
A picture of Bipin Patel, West Kent inside the armoury
A picture of Colin Knight, West Kent inside the armoury
A picture of Colin Holland, West Kent inside the armoury. Fred Umney and Chris Huxtable look on
A picture of Colin Holland, West Kent holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour
A picture of Peter Lygo, West Kent holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour
A fun picture of Andrew Mallard, West Kent saluting whilst wearing the helmet along with red plume of an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s
A picture of Alex Knight and Ashley Blenman whilst touring the armoury
A picture of Peter Lygo, Hants and Isle of White whilst wearing the helmet along with red plume of an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s
A picture of Brett Portman and Andrew Mallard, holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour
A picture of Colin Holland, holding an Honourable Artillery Company Pikeman’s armour whilst Colin Knight, Jan Ozog and Karl Lawton look on

We even managed a quick tour of the HAC museum for a sneak view of the family silver.

A picture of the Honourable Artillery Company Treasury containing the silver held in the HAC Museum

We were also able to take a few pictures of the inside of Armoury House to share with you before returning to the Sutling Room for refreshments.

An oil painting of a member of the Royal family - George 5th
An oil painting of a member of the Royal family
A photograph of an oil painting of a Honourable Artillery Company function/festive board in the Long Room. Men converse at the dining tables wearing various army mess dresses. A Musketeer and two pikemen overlook proceedings from behind the top table

A photograph of an oil painting of the royal carriage. The Queen and Prince Philip with escort ascend the steps of a London building
A photograph of the hand pump of the Honourable Artillery Company ale
A photograph of the hand pump of the Honourable Artillery Company lager
A photograph of the display cabinet of Victoria medals in the Honourable Artillery Company’s medal room, Armoury House

At 5pm we were invited to join the brethren of the FitzRoy Lodge #569 to witness a ceremony of passing, which was conducted to a very high standard. We were also treated to a completely unique rendition of the second degree tracing board that took the guise of a set of ‘Military Orders’ complete with; Ground, Situation, Mission, Executive General Outline (Enemy Forces/Friendly Forces). It was absolutely brilliant and a must if you ever get the opportunity to see it.

A photograph of the Long Room dressed for a FitzRoy Lodge meeting/ceremony
A photograph of the members and visitors of the Beauchamp Lodge in the Long Room during the visit to the Honourable Artillery Company
A photograph of the Fitzroy Lodge Honourable Artillery Company banner displayed within the Long Room prior to the FitzRoy Lodge meeting
A photograph of the Fitzroy Lodge banner displayed within the Long Room prior to the FitzRoy Lodge meeting
The Honourable Artillery Company flag and standard hanging from one of the walls of the Long Room, either side of the minstrels’ gallery

After the meeting we repaired to the Sutling Room for further refreshments before heading off to the Festive Board, which was simply exquisite (91 brethren dined).

The festive board starter Honourable Artillery Company
The festive board main meal Honourable Artillery Company
The festive board pudding Honourable Artillery Company
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board
Members and guests at the festive board

The evening was enjoyed by all attending and was considered a huge success, so much so that members of the FitzRoy Lodge have extended a further invitation to the Beauchamp Lodge to attend their September 2023 meeting (25th).

We envisage that there will be a huge demand for places and to this end allocations will be prioritised to (1) Beauchamp Lodge members and (2) any guests that attend the Beauchamp Lodge’s June meeting (Friday 2nd June).

For further information regarding the Beauchamp Lodge’s June meeting please contact Mark Eyles-Thomas.

Beauchamp Lodge the West Kent Military Lodge

This post has been created by the West Kent Military lodge for information. If you would like to now more about the Lodge contact us here

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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