Wolfe and Montcalm Memorial 1827 The Foundation Stone of the Wolfe-Moncalm Monument was laid in Quebec in 1827 with Masonic honours. The team was under the direction of Bro. Claude Denechau, Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Quebec and Three Rivers. The Governor, the Earl of Dalhousie (Past Grand Master Mason of Scotland 1804—06) was present at the ceremony. At the appropriate moment the Governor invited the Provincial Grand Master to conduct the ceremony according to Masonic practices. Bro. Denechau approached the stone and proceeded with the ceremony. On reaching the point of striking the three mystic strokes, he addressed James Thompson: “Mr. Thompson, we honour you here as the companion in arms and a venerable living witness of the fall of Wolfe, do us the also the favour to bear witness on this occasion by the Mallet in your hand.” Bro. Thompson then gave the three strokes with the Mallet on the stone. James Thompson was then 95 years old and was one of the last survivors of the Battle for Quebec. He was supported by the arm of Captain Young of the 79th (Cameron Highlanders) whose pencil had produced the chaste and appropriate design used in the creation of the monument.
Bro. James Thompson had been a mason some seventy years in the lodge attached to his 78th Regiment (Fraser’s Highlanders) —he was a master many times and long standing secretary. His association with the Craft in Quebec has been traced from the first meeting in Quebec on 28th November 1759, But the sands of time were fast running out, and he passed peacefully away on August 25th 1830 at the age of 97. The April Cross Keys will reveal more about this genuine freemason, but he is mentioned briefly over.
The obelisk is the oldest monument in Quebec City and the second oldest war monument in Canada. The architect was Captain John Crawford Young of the 79th Cross Keys January 2022
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