It is sometimes said that the operation of
a Lodge in a Regiment is unwise and that serving Officers should
not belong to, or visit such while in the Regiment, and that
it slackens discipline.
Such arguments are in the main put forth by non-masons or
those with little Masonic experience. It is difficult to
find proof
of their assertions and in these days the educated N.C.O.
of the Sergeant’s Mess would never use his Freemasonry
in the Regiment: more especially because he is briefed on
all
points before admission.
The sagacious Goethe said, “that the true reason why
some people fear to go among those whom they may regard as
their social inferiors, is the vague dread that if they should
thus abandon the advantage of privilege, they might not be
able to hold their own personal merit”.
Every student of Freemasonry will agree that the English
speaking Craft is under a deep obligation to the British
Military Lodges. They spread the knowledge of freemasonry
in every quarter of the Globe and their pioneer work accomplished
probably more by the Masonic soldier than by the Masonic
Officer, is deserving of praise.
Freemasonry seems always to have had a great attraction
for most military men, the rank and file as well as the officer
class and a good Mason has always been a good soldier.
Bro. Field Marshall Lord Combermere who was well acquainted
with Masonic military life once said “As a military
man and speaking from experience, I can say that I have known
many soldiers who were Masons, and never knew a good Mason
who was a bad soldier.”
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The
Royal Dragoon Guards Cap Badge