The Great War started in 1914 and to most people, the war with Germany came as a complete surprise, although to the political classes in the major capitals of the world it must surely have seemed inevitable, given the imperial expansion plans of Germany.

The Lodge had several members that served in the Great War but only one was never to return and that was Bro Sub Lt William Earnest Jehring (a printer by trade and a Lewis of the Lodge).

Jehring (pictured) had served (and was severely wounded) in Gallipoli with Royal Naval Division where his actions were recognised and after recovery was commissioned.

In 1917 he found himself on the eve of the Battle of Passchendaele in No Mans Land with a patrol and never returned to the Lodge.

Jehring is today commemorated in the Lodge by his own chair that is situated to the right of the Worshipful Master and remains empty.

During the war Caxton Lodge got involved in many of the appeals that were needed as the British Empire took up arms and they adapted their rituals and dining accordingly. By 1918 they had even allowed Brethren to attend in uniform !

Immediately after the War several projects were enacted to commemorate the great number of masons that had fallen during the War. The largest project was the rebuilding of the Grand Lodge building in the 1920s.

Caxton was at the fore in contributing for this building and indeed is a Hall Stone Lodge in recognition of this.