Fortitude Lodge No. 4017
On June 18th 1919 at the first of five Founders meetings, W. Bro Edward Ward Watson, PPGD was elected Master Designate and took the chair at this and the three following meetings. At the fifth meeting on 30th December 1919, the Founders received the sad news of the sudden death of the Master Designate. W. Bro Morris Marks PPGW was then elected as Master Designate.
The ceremony of consecrating and dedicating took place on 13th January 1920 at the Masonic Hall, 4, Edwin Street, Shields Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne. The firsts officers, as shown were duly appointed.
Seven members of Lodge Temperance 2557 had their names inserted on the Warrant, which was granted on 5th November, 1919 and they were”
| Founding Member on Warrant | Lodge | Office |
| W. Bro Edward Ward Watson | 2557 | Departed Merit |
| W. Bro James Hope P.M. PAGDC | 2557 | Senior Warden |
| W. Bro Roderick Urquhart P.M | 2557 | Junior Warden |
| W. Bro John Harris | 2557 | Chaplain |
| W.Bro Morris Marks P.M. PPGW | 2557 | First Worshipful Master |
| W. Bro Frederick William Simon | 2557 | Director of Ceremonies |
| W. Bro Benjamin Mason P.M. | 2557 | Treasurer |
The Brethren named below made up the total of 26 founders:
| Founding Member | Lodge | Role |
| W. Bro William C. Crowe | 3424 | Asst Director of Ceremonies |
| Bro Joseph A. Pattinson | 2557 | Secretary |
| Bro Robert Hindmarsh | 2557 | Senior Deacon |
| Bro Thomas W. Brown | 2557 | Junior Deacon |
| Bro James W. Wilson | 541 | Assistant Secretary |
| Bro Joseph Whitfield | 2557 | Organist |
| Bro George Dibley | 2557 | Inner Guard |
| Bro George N. McGeorge | 2557 | Steward |
| Bro Joseph Elliott | 2557 | Steward |
| Bro Thomas W. Petrie | 2557 | |
| Bro William B. Davison | 2557 | |
| Bro John W. Watson | 2557 | Steward |
| Bro James Baker | 2557 | |
| Bro. Nathan Bergman | 2557 | |
| Bro John L. Cockburn | 2557 | |
| Bro William L. Cockburn | 2557 | |
| Bro James L. Cockburn | 2557 | |
| Bro Fred Brown | 2557 | |
| Bro Frank D. Best | 2557 |
The first candidates were proposed in the Lodge on the night of Consecration. They were Edward Watson, son of the late Master Designate W.Bro Edward Ward Watson, and Stanley Hope son of the first Senior Warden W. Bro. James Hope, PAGDC.
Unfortunately, Lodge Fortitude Lodge No. 4017 was erased in December 2015 due to decreased membership.
Photo of Bro Edward Ward Watson kindly provided by Shirley Hare, Granddaughter of Lodge Temperance 2557 Founding Member Bro Guy Hayler.
Page updated on 20/01/2017
