The war was drawing to a close, but not obvious at the time. The people of Hayes Kent had been in the front line, they had lived through the battle of Britain, witnessing great air battles above their heads, and the terrible winter of 1941 when every night the German bombers bombed London and the suburbs, there was certainly plenty of work for the firewatchers.

In the spring of 1944 it seemed as if the worst of the raids were over, but with the invasion of Europe in June came an even greater trial for the people of Hayes. The population of London and the southeast had to endure the bombardment of flying bombs and rockets. The sound of the 'doodlebug' engines on reruns of the old newsreels, and the terrible silence between the engine cut out and explosion are stuff of nightmares.

Yes, it was an expression of faith, trust and courage when our Founders formed this lodge at that time. Even the consecration must have been so different from what we expect today. The event was delayed because of the priority of the war service duties of the Provincial Grand Master (The Lord Cornwallis), and the records state that the meal afterwards was in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Food. These regulations restricted the price of a restaurant meal to half-a-crown (twelve and half pence) in today’s currency. This was also a time when new regalia were unobtainable and even the charity jewels were made of cardboard.

The consecration of the Hayes (Kent) Lodge No. 5929 was held at Freemasons Hall London on the 31st March 1944 at 2.00 pm by the Right Worshipful, Provincial Grand Master, The Lord Cornwallis assisted by his consecration team. The sponsoring (Mother) lodge for Hayes Kent was the Petts Wood, ties with our mother lodge still stand till this day. There were thirteen founder members with W Bro Harold James William Baker becoming the first master of the lodge.

In addition to the consecration team the meeting was attended by 8 Grand Officers, 28 Provincial Officers, 4 London Grand Rank Officers, 33 Masters and Past Masters and 68 Brethren, they all later dined at the Connaught Rooms under the strict regulations of The Ministry of Food.

The first two initiates were Ernest Godfrey and Harold White who were initiated on the 2nd June 1944 at the Public Library, High Street, Bromley, both brethren went on the occupy the chair of the lodge in 1954 and 1955 respectively. The lodge continued to meet at the Public Library until 1947 when the venue changed to the Royal Bell Hotel, High Street, Bromley, subsequently moving to Masons Hill, Bromley until the opening of Oakley House, Bromley in 1979.

The lodge continued to meet at Oakley House until 2015, they have recently moved to Wrotham Masonic Centre four times a year and has a regular lodge of instruction held on selected Friday nights throughout the year.

Those brethren laid a firm foundation stone and, despite all the difficulties, this lodge has grown and now has an honoured place on the roll of West Kent.