A brief history of Widows Sons MBA
The Widows Sons was founded in the United States of America. The first chapter was formed in 1999, and quickly grew in popularity, with chapters quickly being founded right across America and into Canada.
In 2004 the Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association was born in the UK and has the support of the United Grand Lodge of England. There are active Chapters throughout Great Britain with a membership in excess of 1000.
In February 2010, the Presidents Governing Board was formed, as the ruling body for the Widows Sons, the membership is made up of the Presidents, Vice Presidents and the Past Presidents of each chapter in Great Britain.
Receiving our Charter at the 2024 National Rally
How we got started
Hallstone Chapter, Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association was founded in 2024.
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The Shires Chapter of WSMBA was formed in 2018 to cover Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Middlesex, Oxfordshire provinces.
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In August 2023 discussions began to take place between members about starting a Buckinghamshire Chapter of Widows Sons Masonic Bikers Association, with our mother Shires Chapter acting as a mentor.
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A provisional comittee was formed in September and the process of applying to the Presidents Governing Board for its own charter began.
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Why Hallstone Chapter?
In 1919, after World War I, Grand Lodge decided, in response to a suggestion from the then Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, to embark on the building of a new headquarters for the English Craft as a memorial to the many brethren who had given their lives during the War.
For this purpose, a special committee was set up in 1920 and an appeal was made to every member of the constitution for contributions to the fund which, from the target set, came to be known as the Masonic Million Memorial Fund.
A medal was created in gold and coloured enamels (48mm), on a dark blue collarette, to be worn by successive Provincial and District Grand Masters of Provinces or Districts contributing an average of 500 guineas per lodge.
Two districts, Japan (now defunct) and Burma (also non-existent now) and one Province, that of Buckinghamshire, qualified as Hall Stone Districts or Provinces. Certain lodge rooms in Freemasons’ Hall were therefore named after them in recognition of their achievement, this being commemorated on a bronze plaque therein.
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“The Hallstone jewel is in the form of a cross, symbolising sacrifice, with a perfect square at the four ends; on the left and right squares being the dates 1914-1918, the years in which the supreme sacrifice was made. Between these is a winged figure of Peace presenting the representation of a temple with special Masonic allusion in the pillars, porch and steps. The medal is suspended by the square and compasses, attached to a riband, the whole thus symbolising the Craft’s gift of a temple in memory of those brethren who gave all for King and country, peace and victory, liberty and brotherhood”.
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Buckinghamshire being the last remaining "Hallstone" province, the Hallstone Chapter name was chosen with the permission of the PGM of Buckinghamshire.
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February 2024, the Presidents attending the PGM in Derby voted to ratify the charter for the Hallstone Chapter and so we formally came in to existence.
