Chapter 15
The years between the wars No.2.
Between 1920 and 1939 the Lodge continued with little to report Br. Maxwell presented a valuable painting showing a troop train leaving Hawick Station.
The numbers on the roll in 1922 showed 582 members of which there were 7 Honorary members, 111 Life Members and 400 in full standing (Between 1908 and 1922 an increase of 358).
A bust of Henry Scott Riddell sculpted by Mr. Gamby RSA was presented to the Lodge by PM Br. Tom Ferguson of Lodge St David’s 36.
In 1923 it was agreed to hold the meetings on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays but in 1925 this was changed to the 1st and 3rd Mondays except during July and August.
The number on the roll increased to 5%, including 7 Honorary Members, 124 Life Members, 410 being in full standing.
Br. Tom G. Winning RWM was installed as Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. He was presented with a gold watch from the Brethren of Lodge 111.
In May 1926 a notice of motion was put forward “That Grand Lodge be petitioned to revert to Hawick Lodge No.111”, under which it was first chartered on the 15th March 1768. Permission was granted on 5th August 1926.
The memorial to Henry Scott Riddell was restored leaving the balance of £50 to be invested under the joint names of Lodge 111 and the Callants Club. In 1930 a letter written by Henry Scott Riddell was purchased for £1-11/-
In 1927 the first record of a Burns supper appears in Lodge 111 minutes. On Burns night 1930 it was decided “that the brethren confine themselves to a pie”.
An appeal was received from the Callants Club requesting assistance to erect a memorial to the late Br. Thomas Ker, author of “I Like Auld Hawick the Best”, the History of the Lodge 1768-1891, and a large number of poems and songs with reference to the Lodge and to Hawick. The sum of £2-2/- was donated.
A mallet made from stone taken from King Solomon’s Mines with a handle made from wood from the Forests of Lebanon was donated to the Lodge.
In June, 1932, the Ballantyne Bowling Trophy was won by Lodge 111 for the fifth successive year. In September several brethren attended the consecration of the new Lodge room for Kelso 58.
The PGM reported on the handicap imposed on the Lodge by the stringent times in 1932, only six candidates being initiated in 12 months.
The swords and medals belonging to the late Brother Major William Beattie MC were gifted to the Lodge.
A request for the Lodge to share in the cost of renovating the memorial stone and tablet to Henry Scott Riddell at the Cottage at Teviothead was received from the Callants Club.
In 1936 the Lodge presented the regalia for the office of Provincial Grand Master to PM Br. George Barry on his appointment to that office, and he in turn gifted the gong, which is used in the third degree.
Captain Harvey visited the Lodge and presented gavels and bannerettes
A bi-centenary medal from Grand Lodge was presented to the RWM. The first newsletter appeared in December 1938 and the Lodge prepared for the oncoming war.