November 2014 Editor: RWBro George Tapley Volume 79, No. 9 Canadian Freemasonry During the First World War RWBro Michael Jenkyns, FCF, Grand Historian, Grand Lodge of Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Canada in the Province of Ontario and RWBro George Tapley, PDDGM and Past Master of the Internet Lodge of Research GRA On 4 August 1914, Great Britain And throughout and Quadra 2, of Victoria and declared war on Germany in what this effort at a Past DDGM. The first Major- became known as the Great War. It home and abroad Generals of the other three would continue for almost five years. all elements of Canadian Divisions were The Armistice of 11 November 1918, Canada’s society also (by happenstance and which we observe every year to remind were touched and not design) members of the us of all those who have served our a great many were Craft: Richard Turner, VC, of Country and the many who gave their actively involved. the 2nd (whose VC dated from lives that our way of life could continue, All aspects of the South African War, was was not the end. The Great War would society — and our a member of St. Andrew’s not end until late 1919 when the last Masonic Brethren 6 of Quebec City), Malcolm Canadian troops returned from the war — were there in full Smith Mercer of the 3rd (a in Russia. Wars have continued since measure. member of River Park 356 then. The 1939–45 war saw “the Great Canada’s and Victoria 474 in Toronto, War” becoming known as “the First population and also, regrettably, the World War” and the latter the “Second (including RWBro Lt-General Arthur highest ranking Canadian World War.” And wars have continued Newfoundland) Currie, Commander of the killed in the war) and David th and still exist to haunt our lives. had reached 7.9 Canadian Corps Watson of the 4 (a member In 1914 all parts of the British Empire, million on 1 July of St. Andrew’s 6 of Quebec whether Dominions or colonies were 1914. By the end of 1919, about 118,300 City). Private Thomas Ricketts of the involved in support of Great Britain. So Freemasons belonged to Lodges spread Royal Newfoundland Regiment was the it was for Canada. This period did much across this area. During this period youngest. He enlisted at the age of 15½ to put Canada on the world stage in its about 12,300 of those Brethren enlisted and received the VC for his actions at own right. Canadian and an estimated Ledeghem, Belgium in October 1918 forces were raised 1,000 died serving the (when he was 17 years old), joining for the Canadian colours. Canadian Freemasonry in 1930. Expeditionary Force soldier-Masons Statistics show that the Grand Lodge (CEF) rather than being occupied all ranks of Alberta had 70 Lodges with 5,166 fed piecemeal into in the services from members reported as of 28 May 1913 British units. Within the most senior to the and would grow to 112 Lodges with a short time in France most junior. Sir Sam 9,343 members by 10 June 1920. While the CEF, through Hughes, Canada’s there are no clear statistics of Masonic force of character Minister of Militia enlistments in the forces, we know that and circumstances, and responsible 77 Alberta members of the Craft died became a Canadian for the good and in service Corps of four Canadian bad of Canada’s How did we as Masons act during Divisions, led and mobilization, the war? commanded by equipping and In some jurisdictions Masons who Canadians. The attack training, was a had been born in countries that now and capture of Vimy member of St. constituted “the enemy” were excluded Ridge on 9 April 1917 Andrew’s 16 in from Lodge activities. In Canada, where by Canadians showed Toronto. Lieutenant- we had immigrants from countries that our forces had General Sir Arthur with which we were now at war, it was become the equal Currie, commander generally left to the decision of the of all. And in 1919 Portrait of a British Freemason of the Canadian Corps Lodge and the ballot as to whether an Canada would attend wearing white tie, Freemasonry (and prior to that applicant was accepted the Peace Conference medals and, at the top, his WWI the first commander Charity assumed greater importance. and sign the Treaty of medals: 1914–15 Star with Bar, of the 1st Canadian Canadian Grand Lodges established Versailles in our own British War Medal, and Victory Division), was a funds for the relief of distressed Belgians right. Medal. member of Vancouver following Germany’s unprovoked attack there, and continued this assistance made equally welcome in Canada Lodge.” throughout the war years. Grand Lodges found In France, Canadian soldier-Masons themselves financing other more specific assisted in the formation of new Lodges near projects such as the building and equipping of the front lines. Through a fortuitous set of hospitals in Great Britain to treat the wounded. circumstances the furnishings of one wartime Grand Lodges responded quickly to the need Lodge formed in Havre, France by British and for support following domestic disasters such Commonwealth soldier-Masons has survived as the Hillcrest Mining Disaster (Alberta) and and now rests in Carleton 465 GRC at Carp, the Halifax explosion. Ontario. This was Loge Le Havre de Grâce, No. 4 Grand Lodges provided assistance, when GLNIR, whose 71 founder members from around requested, to dependents of our own serving the world included 15 Canadians: six from Brethren. Funds continued to be used in the Ontario, four from Manitoba, one each from BC, postwar period when it became obvious that WBro Maj-Gen Malcolm Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick and Canada would, for years to come, be concerned Smith Mercer is the Nova Scotia. The Alberta founder member with the welfare of the widows and children highest ranking Canadian was listed in the Lodge Register as “VERNON, of dead soldiers as well as those under long- officer ever to die in F. — Bandsman Pte. #86236 — 31st Can. Bn. term hospital care. By 1925 it was estimated battle (Mount Sorrel, Central Training Camp, Harfleur — Founder that there were 20,115 widows, children 1916). General Mercer 56 — member of Perfection Lodge, No. 9 GRC and destitute parents of soldiers who were Lodge No. 548, GRC is Canada. [The name and number actually refer receiving pensions and this number included named in his honour. to Perfection Lodge No. 9, GRA, Calgary.] many dependents of our soldier-Masons And soldier-Masons (such as Private Lodges provided support for their members R.J. Meekren of Golden Rule 5 of Stanstead, in uniform. Lodge histories frequently refer to Quebec, who was taken at Ypres in 1916) the remission of dues of serving Brethren, the were sometimes able to develop contact with provision of “care packages” and support for other captives and conduct informal Lodge dependents in times of need meetings. In other cases some of our Brethren At this time in Masonic development we were treated well by the enemy. Major W.H.V. did not use dues cards as we do today. Grand Hooper (a member of St. John’s 63 at Carleton Lodges across Canada authorized the issue Place and later mayor of the town) was one of a paper certificate or card attesting to the such who had been wounded, captured and member’s good standing in his Lodge (Alberta given preferential treatment that probably authorized an “Active Card certificate” in 1916). saved his life because, in his opinion, “he was This became an occasional problem in some known to be a Mason.” locations: the Grand Lodge of England had It has long been remarked in Lodge and constitutional conditions which precluded WBro Lt-Gen Richard District histories and in social reviews of the accepting such “informal statements.” Turner, VC (from the time that many returning soldiers sought a Resolution was achieved with the large number South African War). solace with others who had encountered the of Canadian soldier-Masons who visited same horrific wartime situations. They were Canada Lodge 3527 ER in London, in particular. also seeking an anchor in life. This is partly On more than one occasion Canada Lodge reflected by the immediate postwar period members had to find suitable blue paper to of growth in Alberta’s Masonic membership be used for temporary aprons. En passant at which, by 11 June 1924, had reached 12,017. the meeting of 23 April 1918, the secretary of With this growth, memories of the war Canada Lodge recorded the attendance of “[R] years are reflected in some names of new WBro Sir Arthur W. Currie, KCB, KCMG, Corps Lodges: Patricia 91 of Edmonton, instituted Commander, Canadian Expeditionary Force; 30 October 1915 (originally proposed to be WBro Sir Richard Turner, VC, KCB, KCMG, DSO, called “Crescent” but changed to honour the Commander II Division, CEF and WBro Sir David Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry), Watson, KCB, CMG, Commander IV Division, Kitchener 95 of Rimbey, instituted 19 January CEF. Thus, fate and fraternity brought together RWBro Maj-Gen David 1917 (named in honour of Horatio Herbert three of Canada’s highest ranking generals in Watson, oil on canvas by Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Lodge. Regardless of rank, all Brethren were William Orpen. Broome, British Secretary of State for War in Provided to Freemasons of Alberta and the Northwest The Committee on the Grand Lodge Bulletin Territories west of the 4th Meridian who are members of RWBro George Tapley (Chairman); The Grand Lodge of Alberta, A.F.