During the first world war, 1914-1918, a number of Masons in Canada served their King and Country by joining the Naval and Military Forces of the British Empire. Hundreds went from Toronto and while overseas, fighting the battles for freedom, met Brother Masons with whom a greater feeling of comradeship and brotherly love was experienced. That this brotherly love was apparent to those who were not Masons is borne out by the large number of our countrymen who joined the Masonic Order in Great Britain.

On returning to Canada, after the Armistice being declared on November 11th, 1918, the Brethren from Toronto who had joined English Lodges found they had no Masonic home of their own. These Brethren together with Brothers whose Mother Lodges were in the city, conceived the idea of forming a Lodge where the comradeship so apparent overseas could be renewed. It was also felt that it could be a Memorial to the Great war and to Brother Masons who had paid the Supreme Sacrifice.

A number of organization meetings were held at St. Charles Hotel ( later called Simpsons ), which resulted in a petition being circulated and so great was the enthusiasm that in a few weeks a hundred and five Brethren had signed it. These Brethren selected V.W.Bro. George Ross, O.S.L. as the Worshipful Master, R.W.Bro. R.W. Smart as the Senior Warden and Bro. C.H. Reeves as Junior Warden. They also, by a unanimous vote, selected the name of the Lodge "War Veterans". On the petition being presented to the then Grand Master, M.W. Bro. F. Harcourt, a dispensation to meet as a Lodge was granted.
The Lodge was instituted by R.W. Bro. G. Hood, D.D.G.M., Toronto Centre District No.11B on June 30th, 1921

The Lodge was later inspected by R.W. Bro. J.H. Dunlop, D.D.G.M.,Toronto District 11B and so satisfactory was his report to Grand Lodge, that at the Annual Convocation of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario in July 1922, a warrant was granted.
On Monday, October 30th, 1922 the Lodge was constituted and consecrated. The ceremony was performed by Most Worshipful Brother Lt. Col. Wm. N. Ponton, K.C., Grand Master assisted by many Grand Lodge officers.

In the year 1939, a petition was presented to the Committee on Warrants to consider a change in our name from War Veterans Lodge No. 586 to that of Remembrance Lodge No. 586. The name Remembrance, being chosen to convey the original ideas of the Founders. Our Lodge Crest, of which we are so proud, illustrates the Principle of Remembrance perfectly and was designed by W.Bro. Capt. W.H. Wallace. The Committee recommended to Grand Lodge that the change be granted and at the eighty-fourth Communication held in Toronto on July 19th and 20th, 1939, Grand Lodge approved and confirmed the change.
Starting with our first meeting in 1921 until June 1969, all meetings were held at the Masonic Temple, 888 Yonge Street, Toronto. In June of 1969, a majority of the Members voted to move our meetings to the Masonic Temple, Elgin Street, Thornhill. This required we change our meeting nights from the First to the Second Friday of each month.
The Masonic Temple at 888 Yonge Street holds many fond memories for Members having had so many outstanding years there.

A unique feature of Remembrance Lodge's Masonic life is it's annual Remembrance Night, held on the closest Friday to Remembrance Day ( November 11th ) and the brief moments of Remembrance at every Lodge meeting, just prior to the closing of the Lodge. Both these events, as provided for in the Lodge by-laws, allow the officers and members assembled to remember those of our members who have passed to the Grand Lodge above, in both war and peace.

Throughout the years we have adhered to certain lodge landmarks or "Unwritten By-Laws". Among them are: Our Observance of the Silent Toast or Toast of Remembrance at every regular meeting: Our Annual Journey of Remembrance in November, which is recognized throughout the District as an impressive ceremony: Our deep friendship with, and our Annual visits to and from Cedar Lodge, Oshawa. These visits started in 1928 with the first fraternal visit of Cedar Lodge to War Veterans Lodge. All these have made the pages of our history worth while.

The Torch is yours, hold it high, and keep the flame burning until time shall be no more.