These cards were issued during the Great War to afford the bearer safe conduct, should they be captured by the enemy and therefore not to be mistreated. This was the assumption that the courtesies extended would be reciprocated to enemy members of the Craft should they identify themselves as such or present a similar card.
The front of the card gives an explanation in English about the card and is signed by the Worshipful Master of the Lodge and the Lodge Secretary, this card would date from around 1918 as appears to have been signed by W Bro WW Watkin who was master of the lodge during that year.
On the reverse of the card written in four different languages starting from the top French, Italian, Arabic and German the translation of each is “The Lodge above presents the named and vouches for him. She recommends him as a British sailor (soldier) and as a worthy Mason to any Freemason who finds him in need as a result of having fulfilled his duty in the service of his homeland. She recommends giving this brother fraternal assistance and legitimate help, and gives the assurance that any mark of benevolence will be highly appreciated and possibly reciprocated.”
W Bro Robert William Randall when WWI broke out was a Major in Royal Guernsey Artillery, he transferred his commission to become a Major in the Royal Garrison Artillery and served predominantly in Italy during the Great War. He was awarded the Victory Medal and Italian Silver Medal. After the war he was promoted to Honorary Lieut-Colonel in 1922. He also became ADC to the King in 1928 and became 2nd in Command of the reconstituted Royal Guernsey Militia in 1929.
W Bro Randall was initiated into Doyle’s Lodge of Fellowship No 84 on the 13th February 1901, Passed to the Second Degree on the 13th March 1901 and Raised to the Third Degree on the 8th May 1901 and became Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1907 and again in 1930. He held Provincial Ranks of Junior Grand Deacon 1920, Grand Director of Ceremonies 1921, Junior Grand Warden 1923 and Senior Grand Warden 1925, and held Grand Rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer 1939. And was also a founder member of Hansard Lodge No.3515 and St Martins Lodge No.4142.
