On Saturday 1st November 2025, Freemasons from across England and Wales gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire for the Freemasons’ National Service of Remembrance at the Masonic Memorial. The service was dignified, seamless and poignant.

On the eve of the ceremony, teams from the Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Chapter of London were already on site, carefully lining up the wreaths that would be laid the following day. 

The event was organised by a huge number of Events Team volunteers, including Met Stewards and the Widow’s Sons, all led by London Freemasons Director of Events, John Parry, with the support of the United Grand Lodge of England, ensuring national representation and coordination at one of the country’s most significant remembrance sites.

On the day of the service, the Metropolitan Grand Director of Ceremonies, Kyle Alexander, briefed a wide group of senior representatives, including Provincial Grand Masters, Heads of Companion Orders, the Grand Masters of the two women’s Grand Lodges, WBro Johnson Beharry VC, and other invited military representatives. The briefing was conducted alongside UGLE Assistant Grand Master, John Thompson, setting out the precise order of proceedings and ensuring that protocol, timing and movement within the Arboretum were fully aligned.

The service itself marked an important moment in the development of a truly national, annual act of Masonic remembrance. 

Wreaths were laid on behalf of a wide cross-section of Freemasonry, and the Assistant Grand Master, John Thompson, gave the following moving address:

“Good morning, ladies, gentlemen and Brethren.

On behalf of the United Grand Lodge of England and Metropolitan Grand Lodge, may I welcome you all to the Masonic Memorial Garden here at the National Memorial Arboretum, for this Act of Remembrance.

We gather in this place of peace and reflection to honour the memory of Freemasons from across the provinces, districts, and Lodges who have served their country – and to remember with pride and gratitude those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.

We are especially honoured this morning to welcome Brigadier Barry Smith CBE, representing His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, and Ms Lynda Atkins, the National Chair of the Royal British Legion.

This memorial stands as a lasting tribute to those Brethren who, guided by Masonic principles, gave their service, and in so many cases, their lives in the defence of others.

We commemorate their demonstration of our shared values of integrity of self, friendship through the bonds of pride, respect for each other, including our differences and service to self, to friend, to Brother, to nation, to King, and to God.

As we come together today, united in remembrance, we do so not only as Freemasons, but as members of a grateful nation to remember the fallen of all conflicts, to give thanks for their courage, and to reaffirm our commitment to peace, service, and humanity. I invite you all to join in a moment of quiet reflection to honour the memory of the departed, to support those who still serve, and to renew our shared pledge: that we will remember them.”

Planning is already underway for the 2026 service of remembrance, which will be announced in due course.

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 59 – Christmas 2025.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 59 here.

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