Lord Ampthill 1869 – 1935

Arthur Oliver Villiers Russell the second Lord Ampthill was probably the most important and influential Freemason of the first thirty-five years of the 1900’s. His membership of and close association with the Ampthill lodge has always been a great source of pride to its members.

Lord Ampthill served as the British Governor of Madras and then Pro Grand Master of England as well as Grand Master of Bedfordshire.

After being petitioned by a Group of Freemasons in Bedfordshire he gave permission for the consecration of the Ampthill lodge and served as consecrating master in 1894.

During the first world war he saw front line action, being mentioned in despatches twice. At the beginning of the war he was involved around Landguard Fort at Felixstowe where there had been a huge influx of volunteers. There were not the resources to look after the men properly and they were living in appalling conditions. Lord Ampthill became so concerned about the welfare of the men that he wrote to the Government highlighting their plight. He then wrote to his cousin the Duke of Bedford asking for the use of Ampthill Park as a place to train the men. The WW1 training camp was then founded and Lord Ampthill ensured the welfare of his men to the point where military eyebrows were raised. It is said that Lord Ampthill contributed some £ 16,000 of his own money towards their welfare.