The District Grand Lodge of
Sierra Leone and the Gambia EC

BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE DISTRICT OF SIERRA LEONE AND THE GAMBIA E.C. ON THE OCCASION OF THE DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION: 1949-2009

Prior to the Consecration of the District Grand Lodge of Sierra Leone on Wednesday 7th December 1949, at the Old Grammar School Building, Regent Square, Freetown, there was in existence an Inspectorate similar to what is existing under the Irish Constitution today; the Inspectorate consisted of the following 4 (Four) Lodges
1. The Freetown Lodge No 1955 Warranted in the early part of 1892, and Consecrated in December of that same year. 2. The St George’s Lodge No 2506, Warranted in 1894 and Consecrated in February 1895.
3. Rokel Lodge No 2798, Warranted in 1899 and Consecrated in March 1900, and
4. Loyal Lodge No 3719, Warranted in January 1914 and Consecrated in February 1914.

This period of The Inspectorate lasted for 20 (Twenty) years 1929 -1949. The Grand Inspectors during that period were
1) V W Bro Charles Feebor Luxley MBE who served from 1929-1936.
2) V W Bro Magor Christopher Wilson Browne O B E, M C, 1937.
3) V W Bro Capt Frederick George Winward O B E, from 1938 -1949

During the period 1938-1949 of the Inspectorate, V W Bro Capt F C Winward was in regular Communication with Grand Lodge, pleading for the creation of a District Grand Lodge of Sierra Leone. Whilst continuing his Communications with Grand Lodge, he realised that Grand Lodge would only consider his appeals seriously; if and when the Inspectorate had a minimum of 7(seven) Lodges which He felt will be regarded by Grand Lodge as a reasonable or perfect number for the establishment of a District Grand Lodge. Consequently, after the ending of the 2nd world War in 1945, he made it his paramount duty to work for the Consecration of at least three New Lodges. His efforts were rewarded when in 1947 two new Lodges were Warranted and Consecrated. These were the Progressive Lodge No 6431, and the Wilberforce Lodge No 6432, Two years later in 1949, the Bathurst Lodge of St John No 6878, now the Banjul Lodge of St John No 6878 was Consecrated. With 7 (seven) Lodges now in the Inspectorate, it did not take too long to convince. Grand Lodge that Sierra Leone was ready to become a District. Thus in 1949, Grand Lodge gave its approval for the Inspectorate in Sierra Leone to become a District. Thus on Wednesday 7th Dec 1949, 60(sixty) years to the day today, at a Ceremony which was held at the Old Grammar School Building Regent Square and started at 10:15 AM, The District Grand Lodge of Sierra Leone was Consecrated.

I recommend this Masonic Memento to all. Please ensure you buy one to keep abreast and assist your plans but also buy another for you believe will benefit from the information therein.

Emile Moses Charles Carr
District Grand Master
Sierra Leone and The Gambia EC