Wonderful June 2026 Meeting – Operation Welly Boots

Beauchamp Lodge June 2026 Meeting – A Raising, Waterloo and Operation Welly Boots

The June 2026 meeting of Beauchamp Lodge No. 1422, the West Kent Military Lodge, brought the Lodge together once again at Wilmington for an evening combining serious Masonic ceremony with military tradition, friendship, humour and the particular brand of controlled chaos that has become such a feature of Beauchamp Mess Dining.

The Lodge assembled at Wilmington Masonic Centre on Friday 5 June 2026, with the principal business of the evening being the Raising of Bro Sean Paul Ballard to the Third Degree.

The Raising of Bro Sean Ballard

For Sean, the evening marked another important stage in a Masonic journey that had begun only eight months earlier.

He was Initiated into Beauchamp Lodge on 24 October 2025, Passed to the Second Degree at our April meeting on 17 April 2026, and returned in June 2026 to be Raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.

The ceremony provided the proper and dignified centrepiece to the evening and was followed by the remaining business of the Lodge, including the appointment and investment of officers who had been unable to attend previously and reports covering the various aspects of Lodge life.

As always, visitors received a particularly warm welcome and quickly discovered that membership of Beauchamp Lodge may involve considerably more than simply attending the ceremony.

A Lodge Continuing to Grow

The June 2026 meeting also provided an opportunity to reflect upon the encouraging position of the Lodge.

Beauchamp now has 42 subscribing members, with further Brethren already showing an interest in joining. At the time of the June meeting, eleven additional Brethren had expressed an interest in membership, giving the Lodge the very real prospect of exceeding 50 members over the coming seasons.

That growth is particularly encouraging because Beauchamp remains the only Lodge in both East and West Kent belonging to the Circuit of Service Lodges, giving serving personnel, veterans and Brethren with connections to the Services a distinctive Masonic home in Kent.

But with the formal business completed, another operation awaited.

From the Lodge Room to the Battlefield

Members had received their instructions well in advance.

The operational codename was: OPERATION WELLY BOOTS

The reason soon became apparent.

With the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo approaching, the June 2026 Mess was to commemorate Wellington's victory over Napoleon, although members had been carefully reminded that this was Waterloo the battle, not the record by ABBA.

Orders had been unequivocal:

Every attendee was to wear or carry something relating to the Battle of Waterloo.

Failure to comply would result in immediate and merciless Mess Fining.

Random inspections were threatened.

Creative interpretations were positively encouraged.

Excuses would only be considered if delivered at full parade volume.

And members of the Senior Service and the Royal Air Farce Force had been specifically warned that good humour was compulsory.

Operation Welly Boots – The Mess

The June 2026 Mess Dinner commenced with a menu designed to commemorate the events of 1815 with all the historical accuracy for which Beauchamp Lodge is renowned.

Starter – French Onion Soup

Prepared, members were assured, from the finest French onions personally liberated by the Duke of Wellington from Napoleon's allotment and triumphantly conveyed back across the Channel to Wilmington.

Main – Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, Roast Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables

The traditional meal of victorious Englishmen, apparently served exactly as the Guards requested after politely rearranging the French Army at Waterloo.

Pudding – Apple Tart Tatin with Cream

A famous French dessert which, rather like Napoleon's plans, had turned upside down before the day was out.

Cheese & Port – A Selection of English Cheeses with Biscuits

Because, after Waterloo, even the French cheese board apparently required British supervision.

Tea, coffee and medals followed.

To Waterloo

There could really only be one appropriate Port Toast:

“To Waterloo, where Wellington settled a continental disagreement in the traditional British manner: calmly, firmly, and before supper.”

The combination of military humour, service traditions and Masonic fellowship once again produced exactly the sort of Mess for which Beauchamp has become known.

The June table plan itself demonstrated the strength of support, with the Mess arranged around a long top table and two substantial dining tables to accommodate members and visitors.

More Than a Military Lodge

Behind the humour lies something rather more important.

Beauchamp brings together serving personnel, veterans and Brethren associated with the Armed Forces and civilian services, but the Lodge's strength comes from the friendship that develops between them.

Its distinctive Mess Dining tradition remains unusual within the Province and, indeed, comparatively rare across England and Wales.

It is part of what makes Beauchamp different, formal where formality matters, respectful of its history and traditions, but never afraid to enjoy itself.

The June 2026 meeting demonstrated all three.

A Brother completed his journey through the Craft degrees.

The Lodge continued to grow.

Visitors were welcomed.

Wellington defeated Napoleon once again.

And somewhere along the way, the French onions suffered terribly.

Thinking of Visiting?

If you are:

• a veteran;
• currently serving; or
• associated with the Armed Forces or civilian services,

and have not yet visited Beauchamp Lodge No. 1422, we would be delighted to welcome you.

Beauchamp was founded at Roorkee, India, in 1872, later transferred to Calcutta and finally to Wilmington, Kent, in 1975 — a military heritage extending across more than 150 years.

Come and discover a Lodge where military tradition, Freemasonry, friendship and good humour sit comfortably alongside one another.

And remember:

Who Calls the Tiger?

Hoorah!!

This Beauchamp Lodge June 2026 meeting 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