Photo of GF in Masonic Regalia

[HildaW]

Hi there, not sure if this is the correct place to post but I have a photo of OH's GF probably taken around 1940 in his Masonic Regalia - no one alive to ask.

Can anyone tell me if the particular Lodge can be identified by the Regalia and what level he attained? likely it was a Lodge near Newton Abbot, Devon, I would like to contact the correct Lodge

Regards
Hilda

 

[Malcolm Webb]

The level he attained can certainly be identified from his regalia, if not his actual lodge. Try contacting the United Grand Lodge of England in London who, I believe, may keep records of past English Masons and will certainly know the names of lodges existing in the area at the time the photo was taken:-

http://www.
ugle.org.uk/freemasons-hall

Hope this helps,
Malcolm Webb
Lincoln UK

 

[HildaW]

Hi Malcolm, many thanks for your reply, will contact them in the new year and hopefully will gain additional information to add to my tree story.
Regards
Hilda

 

[Figgs]

Hi Malcolm, many thanks for your reply, will contact them in the new year and hopefully will gain additional information to add to my tree story.
Regards
Hilda

Remind me to ask my Masonic husband in the morning. I know that they do keep records here in Canada. Is it a Blue Lodge or a Red Lodge......probably got you on that one, grin. Is he in full regalia?

See you tomorrow......

 

[AnnB]

Hi Malcolm, many thanks for your reply, will contact them in the new year and hopefully will gain additional information to add to my tree story.
Regards
Hilda

One of my grandfathers was a mason and I have some sort of certificate he got when he joined. I did think about seeing if there was any more info available from Freemason's Hall, but I think they wanted quite a hefty sum to do any research. That may have changed (it was some time ago) and I don't think I would have gained much as the certificate tells me his lodge etc.

Ann

 

[Huncamunca]

There are some useful research leaflets and other background information on the website of the Library and Museum of Freemasonry:

http://www.
freemasonry.london.museum/

It was here that I learned about Masonic Periodicals Online. Unfortunately it's too early for you, HildaW, but I have started another thread about that site in case it's of interest to others.

 

[PeterG]

Presumably you already know that he was in the Masons but a word of warning for others - many Friendly Societies adopted mason-like regalia which can mislead people if they're not familiar with this sort of thing (like me!).

 

[Figgs]

Remind me to ask my Masonic husband in the morning. I know that they do keep records here in Canada. Is it a Blue Lodge or a Red Lodge......probably got you on that one, grin. Is he in full regalia?

See you tomorrow......

Hi Hilda.....my husband (Ron) says if he was a member of a Lodge in Devon, then he would be registered with the Grand Lodge of England and we really don't think they would charge you just to find out his rank and which Lodge. Ron says to contact the "Grand Registrar" as he keeps track of all that.

Can you upload a picture of him in his regalia? Ron could identify whether he was a 3rd degree Mason or an Officer or Master of the Lodge. Apparently it is all to do with the apron he is wearing.

 

[HildaW]

Hi Heather (and Ron) and everyone else, super info many thanks I will certainly contact the Grand Registrar in the new year. As you can see the photo is B&W I have estimated date to be around 1940's, but could be earlier, he died in 1950. Any further information would be hugely appreciated.
Tons of luv
Hilda

 

[HildaW]

Hi Ann, thanks for your input.

Just some further info: I have my father-in-law's certificates but from East Africa and Swaziland (he worked for/on Brit Govt contract in the colonies) interestingly there is not one from South Africa where he would have been a member the longest, also not sure if he joined in Devon or only when in Africa but my m-i-l gave back to a Devon Lodge his apron etc when he died because - and here I might be confused - I thought I remember her saying it was his father's (the man in the photo) apron and she wanted it to go back to the Lodge - based on Figgs's reply I think I must have misunderstood because obviously you can't just wear someone else's apron who has a higher rank than you. Figgs perhaps Ron could advise me on this.
The Masons were pall-bearers at both in-laws' funerals but I cannot remember their names to contact them and the in-laws lived about 400kms from us so barely knew any of the people present.

I have a photo of my f-i-l and his regalia is much less, but then it's not a studio photo, one taken at a Lodge dinner (11 years ago) so perhaps most of the regalia has been taken off. How I wish I had been able to ask my m-i-l more on this a tons of photo's we found when she died. Sadly she had given me some family photo's and I was going to go over them again for more in depth info with her the next Christmas when she was due to visit but she died (5 years ago) - so many questions and no answers.
How I wish everyone would write details on the back of every photo.
Tons of luv
Hilda

 

[Figgs]

Hi Heather (and Ron) and everyone else, super info many thanks I will certainly contact the Grand Registrar in the new year. As you can see the photo is B&W I have estimated date to be around 1940's, but could be earlier, he died in 1950. Any further information would be hugely appreciated.
Tons of luv
Hilda

Hi Hilda.....

Ron has verified that your husband's grandfather (hope I have that right) is very definitely a Past Master of his Lodge. This is designated by the Jewel (medal) he is wearing on his chest (which looks like a Star of David).

The T-square hanging from the sash/collar means he has been Master and is usually not worn with the Past Master's Medal (which often contains a jewel and that is the one item that should be returned, not the apron).

The 3 T-squares on the apron also are only worn by a Master of the Lodge, so to answer your question re his son's apron, unless he is also a Master of the Lodge, he could not wear it.

Regalia differs not only by countries, but by different lodges. If you can get a better look at the left side cuff.....his Lodge ID might be on it. Ron can see word "Lodge" but not sure what follows. A.F.& A.M. are usually on there, along with the number and name of the Lodge. We don't have those cuffs here in Canada, on a regular Mason.......only GRAND LODGE officers who are the Masons at the top!!

Hope this helps..........Heather

 

[Ken_R]

Figgs (and Ron), if I post details, would you be able to find out information regarding a Grand Uncle of mine who was a Mason in Newfoundland?

 

[Figgs]

Figgs (and Ron), if I post details, would you be able to find out information regarding a Grand Uncle of mine who was a Mason in Newfoundland?

Ken....not as easy as you might think, but the details would certainly help. As your relative was English one would assume he belonged to a Lodge that was part of the Grand Lodge of England. But there is also the Grand Lodge of Scotland!

Plse post details and/or photos and I will give you one link I narrowed in on in Newfoundland as they have both of the above Grand Lodges. This is the English one. Hope I did the link right (we have to split them up).

http://www.
glnl.ca/

 

[Ken_R]

Figgs. Her goes then.

William Reeves was born Birmingham 1873. The 2nd of 5 brothers. He can be found in 1891, RG12, Piece 2392, Folio 34, Page 27, at the family home as a Warehouseman.

I haven't found him in 1901.

By 1908 he is in St' John's, NFL (Source: McAlpine's St. John's City Directory for 1908, McAlpine's Publishing Company, Halifax, NS, 1908. Volume/Page: 388) where he is said to have pioneered the establishment of the St John's Ambulance in that area.

I have never been able to establish when/how he arrived.

Following the 1914 Sealing Disaster, he was involved in the care of the survivors and appears in a group photograph in the Newfoundland Quarterly 1914-15.

During WW1, he served with the Newfoundland Regiment caring for injured soldiers and attained the rank of 2nd Lt. (Hon)

In 1919 he was awarded an OBE, and in 1920, the British War Medal.

The St John's Daily Star, 1920-04-23, carried a report of the OBE being presented by the Governor.

I have him Pond-Hopping in 1918, and then in 1923 and 1935 as, variously, a salesman and a merchant - of what?

Also in 1935, I have him at 56 Military Road, St John's East District, a Boarder at the address - unmarried.


He died in 1950 and is buried, Forest Road Anglican Cemetary, St John's East District, Section "F", Plot 12, Masonic Section.

He shares the headstone with a George Heath who died in 1956. Who was George Heath? Was he also a Mason?

As he was the only brother to travel overseas, the obvious inference is that he was homosexual. Were attitudes in NFL more liberal at that time? I've never been able to find that out.

I can remember that, for a few years after 1950, each Birthday and Christmas, I would receive a card from NFL containing.....would it be a 50c note. Following his Death, who would have sent these? Would it have been George Heath or the Masonic Order? Certainly the time that they stopped arriving would - from very vague memories - have coincided with the Death of George Heath.

I have a copy of what purports to be the Eulogy read at William's funeral but I would still be interested in any other information concerning his life in NFL that can be put into the public domain, with photographs where available.

Additionally, did he leave a Will, and is a copy available?

Also. Where are his Medals. It's not that I'm looking to lay claim to them but, if they are safely stored, then I would prefer that remains so although, photographs would be appreciated.

I think that just about covers everything.

 

[HildaW]

Hi Heather and Ron, many, many thanks for your help. You have both answered my questions and have been really helpful, now I just need to wait for the festive season to be over then I can contact the Registrar and hopefully learn a little more. Have a very happy Christmas and a wonderful 2014.
Tons of luv
Hilda

 

[Figgs]

To Ken R.......I just saw this at 1:30 am, so will be a while looking it up. Our daughter arrives tomorrow from the West Coast for Xmas....but WOW!! That is a lot of detail to work with!!

And to Hilda.....you are most welcome. Ron enjoyed helping you out because the picture told the story. He in fact, got out his apron and Past Master's Pin and was comparing them. Apron is the same......medal is different. Ron's has a small diamond which is why the Lodge likes them back after death.

Good night......looking forward to daughter's arrival!!