Past Masters Jewel from W Bro Frederick Norman Le Cheminant ISO, of St Sampson’s Lodge No.2598, after completing his year as Master of the Lodge in 1974, the jewel was gifted to the Museum by W Bro Le Cheminant’s family in 2005.
W Bro Le Cheminant was initiated into St Sampson’s Lodge at the age of 27 years old on the 6th June 1961, passed to the Second Degree on the 7th November 1961 and Raised to the Third Degree on the 6th March 1962.
He worked his way through the Offices of the lodge and became Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1973 and was given Provincial Rank of Grand Standard Bearer in 1979. W Bro Le Cheminant was also a founder member of The Guernsey and Alderney Lodge of Installed Masters No. 8564.
On the 16th June 1990 W Bro Le Cheminant was awarded the ISO (Imperial Service Order) as part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours. The ISO is awarded on retirement to Administration and Clerical staff of the Civil Service throughout the British Empire for long and meritorious service after usually completing 25 years or more service. As part of the award listing it had W Bro Le Cheminant listed as “Frederick Norman LE CHEMINANT, States Supervisor – Head of the Guernsey Civil Service.”
St Sampson’s Lodge No.2598 received its Warrant on the 12th February 1896 and was Consecrated on the 22nd May 1896, it first met at Commercial Hall, Bridge Street (now Commercial Road), St Sampson’s and moved to the Masonic Temple, Le Marchant Street, St Peter Port in 1932, it currently meets on the first Tuesday in each month except January, July, August and September at the Masonic Centre St Martins. The Lodge received its Centenary Warrant on the 22nd May 1996.
St Sampson’s Lodge has the unique distinction of being the first lodge to be consecrated under the present Provincial Constitution of Guernsey and Alderney and was also the first Lodge to hold a meeting under the same constitution outside of St Peter Port.
