Anglo Boer War - Natal - Pride of Natal Good Templars

Pride of Natal Lodge 01

Colony: Natal
Issued on: n/a
Date of presentation: 21/05/1900
Number issued: 1

Silver medal, to:

2nd Bn. East Surrey Regiment –

Bro. F.R. GREEN (probably 6502 Private F. Green)

Obverse: "From / RGTL. LODGE / E.S.R."

Reverse: "PRESENTED TO / Bro. F.R. Green / ON BEHALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THE / PRIDE OF NATAL LODGE / AS INSTITUTING OFFICER / on the Night 21.5.1900 / WHILST ON ACTIVE SERVICE / AS A MARK OF DISTINCTION".

The "Pride of Natal Lodge" of Good Templars was instituted by soldiers in Natal: "The Good Templar soldiers held their Lodge meetings on the battlefield, and at Estcourt they even had an open-air meeting. The 'Pride of Natal' Lodge had a membership of 200" (Kent & Sussex Courier, 17/08/1900).

Staffordshire Sentinel, 17/04/1900

Kent & Sussex Courier, 17/08/1900

Army & Navy Gazette, 31/10/1903

Photograph provided by Roger Watt

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Staffordshire Sentinel, 17th April 1900

The interesting fact was reported by Mr J.S. Vorley at the Good Templars’ annual Session, which opened at Southampton yesterday, that until the close of the year every regimental lodge, as distinguished from garrison lodges, with three exceptions, were on active service. Of the sixty-three lodges, twenty-five are at the present time in South Africa, fifteen in distant garrisons, and only twenty-five at home stations. The earnestness and determination of the members at the front in South Africa, said Mr Vorley, had been very marked. This record should help to mollify the Dean of Durham and others, who made far too much fuss about the Reservists’ farewell glass.

Kent & Sussex Courier, 17th August 1900

A GOOD TEMPLAR SOLDIER.

At the weekly meeting of the “Never too Late” Lodge, I.O.G.T., held on Wednesday evening in the Albion Road Congregational School-room, Sergeant Godding, of the 2nd East Surrey Regiment, gave a short resumé of his experiences in South Africa. Sergeant Godding was connected with Buller’s force and was able to march into Ladysmith with the relief force. He spoke of how the Good Templar soldiers held their Lodge meetings on the battlefield, and at Estcourt they even held an open air meeting. The “Pride of Natal” Lodge had a membership of 200.

Army and Navy Gazette, 31st October 1903

GOOD TEMPLAR SOLDIERS.

The Grand Lodge of England and United Services recently held a special session in St Peter’s Institute, Buckingham Place Road, S.W., to welcome home the representatives of the Good Templar lodges attached to regiments engaged in the operations in South Africa. Earlier in the day the Military District Lodge held a special session in the same hall, when the District Chief Templar, Capt. W.E. Webb, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, reported that during the late war no less than 22 military Good Templar lodges went with their regiments to South Africa from home stations, three from India, two from Ceylon, and two from Egypt. In addition to these, 10 lodges were instituted among the troops while in South Africa, including a Pretoria Garrison Lodge, and lodges in the Cape Town Garrison, 1st Batn. Devonshire Regt., 2nd Batn. Seaforth Highlanders, and the Red and White Rose Lodge in the Northumberland Fusiliers and 1st Dragoon Guards have had lodges instituted since peace was declared.

There was thus a total of 40 military lodges which had worked in South Africa during the campaign, many of which never missed holding a weekly session. Of the lodges, 35 were infantry, four were cavalry, and one artillery. The Good Templar soldiers who had received the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery were Lieutenant ROBERTSON, Gordon Highlanders, and Corpl. SHAUL, 1st Batn. Highland Light Infantry, and several had won commissions.

On the motion of the Grand Chief Templar, Councillor J. Malins, Birmingham, the following resolution was passed: –

“That we in united meeting of the Grand Lodge of England and United Services and of the Military District Lodge have pleasure in placing on record the fact that no less than 40 Good Templar lodges existed in the various regiments and contingents which were sent out to active service in South Africa, and that 10 additional lodges were instituted among the British forces at the front; and we rejoice in the fact that, notwithstanding the hardships and loss of life experienced during the campaign, our military members prosecuted our temperance work with such zeal and efficiency as to be enabled to return with more than doubled membership. That we heartily thank them for their excellent work; cordially welcome them back to the Motherland, and will hold in grateful memory those of their comrades who laid down their lives in the service of their country and its ruler”.

Medals and awards

Natal - Pride of Natal Good Templars