112 On The Level Masonic Magazine for St. John Fisherrow No.112
Issue No.6
November 2019
From the Editor Hello Brethren, and welcome to another edition of “On the Level”. We hope you will find this issue inspiring as well as educational and most importantly FUN.
For this magazine to prosper, your involvement as well as interest is necessary. This is for you not only for learning but also to share. We are all students of the “Craft” and should share and learn with each other in Brotherly Love, and Friendship. We are taught to spread the cement of Brotherly Love and affection binding us to each other just the same as cement to stone to create one common mass. So let Brotherly Love and Friendship unite not only the brethren of 112 but our wonderful fraternity as an edifice of knowledge and understanding. Let us learn from each other by sharing our interests to enrich our masonic experience. May I take this opportunity to thank the Brethren who have contributed to the magazine and look forward to further contributions from the brethren.
Got something you want to say about your Lodge, or just Freemasonry in general ~ Why not submit an article to “On The Level”and see it printed here? (The Editor reserves the right to refuse to publish any article deemed by himself to be offensive) Installation Tickets
Let Your Light Shine
I would not give much for your Masonry unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they shine. A lighthouse sounds no drum, it beats no gong, and yet far over the water its friendly spark is seen by the mariner. So let your actions shine out your Masonry. Let the main sermon of your life be illustrated by your conduct, and it shall not fail to be illustrious.
So Mote it Be.
Saturday 14th December Installation of the Right Worshipful Master Brother Brian Ritchie & Office Bearers Tyle at 4pm. Tickets are £15.00 available from
Bro. Douglas Hoy P.M. D.S.M. Treasurer
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The Master As the month of December dawns we find that the annual Installation season is again upon us. Can it be that time of year already? It only seems like yesterday, when the last round of Installation meetings was in full swing. This is the start of an incredibly busy period in the Masonic Calendar and within the Province from the first week in November right through to March.
May I take this opportunity to thank the brethren of this my Mother Lodge for allowing me to be Master for another 12 months. It’s incredible how time flies within a short period of time.
Earlier this year I had the honour and privilege to head a deputation down the A1 to the Alnwick Lodge where we worked a 3rd Degree. We were very warmly received by brethren who had travelled far and wide from the area to witness our degree. This is one of many of the highlights of my 1st year as Master.
At the regular meeting of 16th October we had visitors from Sweden and by all accounts the brethren thoroughly enjoyed our working of a 2nd or F.C. degree. I would also like to thank the several other brethren who have taken the time to visit not just on that evening but over the past months.
Brethren, as most of you are well aware we are always looking for candidates to come and join 112. If any of the brethren would like to introduce their sons, grandsons, nephews and friends, then please come and speak to myself and we can arrange for the person to have a chat and a look around the lodge. We also have PM’s Alan Williams and John Thorburn looking to organise events in 2020 and I would like to encourage you all to support these events. Finally, may I also wish every 112 member and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year in 2020 from myself, family and from all the Office Bearers.
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More Honourable Than!
How often have we sat at an E.A. Degree and watched the Candidate being invested and wondered about the terms the WSW uses during this delightful piece of ceremonial. In an attempt to enlighten some of our readers, especially the younger ones, we have managed to put together some details :
The Golden Fleece : Many will be familiar with the ancient fable of the Golden Fleece and the heroic adventures of Jason and his Argonauts, who sailed through many perils to finally capture the miraculous prize. Unfortunately ancient mythology neglects to keep us informed of what became of our ancient heroes and their prize. Our ceremonial actually refers to the Order of the Golden Fleece which was an Chivalrous Order of Knighthood established in Flanders (modern day Belgium) in the mid 15th century by Philip the Bold Duke of Burgundy. The fleece was selected as its badge, because wool was the staple product of that region. It has always been considered as one of the most illustrious orders in Europe. Today the order is still very much in existence, although it has two separate branches – one Spanish, and the other Austrian with King Juan Carlos himself the head of the Iberian branch. The Roman Eagle : In ancient Rome the majestic Eagle was adopted as a symbol of Rome’s military might. It had be traditionally believed to have brought the symbols of earthly power to King Tarquiniis Princus and was adopted in 104 B.C. as the military emblem of the Legions throughout the Empire. Originally made of simple wood, it soon began to be cast in bronze or silver with expanded wings and was carried by the Centurion. It symbolically became the rallying point for the troops in battle and was without doubt to the citizens of Rome the ensign of Imperial Power.
The Order of the Garter : An order of knighthood, it is the most ancient and illustrious in the world. Originally instituted by Edward III in 1348, it was confined to the King, Prince of Wales and 24 Knight Companions, although the numbers have since expanded to allow additional “Royal Knights”. Each Knight has a private stall in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle where his banner and personal coat of arms are permanently displayed during his lifetime. If, however, a Knight breaks his vow, he is expelled and his banner turned towards the wall – not fit to be seen.
The origin of the emblem of the Order, a blue garter, is obscure. It is said to have been inspired by an incident which took place whilst the King danced with Joan, Countess of Salisbury. The Countess's garter fell to the floor and after the King retrieved it he tied it to his own leg. Those watching this were apparently amused, but the King admonished them saying, 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' (Shame on him who thinks this evil). This then became the motto of the Order.
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Why do we Square the Carpet?
The Mosaic Pavement
The black and white checkered floor has existed in temples since the times of ancient Egypt. More than simply decorative, the mosaic pavement bears a profound esoteric (special) meaning. Today it is one of Freemasonry’s most recognizable symbols and is the ritualistic floor of all Masonic lodges. The pavement is the area on which initiations occur and is “emblematic of human life, checkered with good and evil. The mosaic pavement in an old symbol of the Order. It is met with in the earliest rituals of the last century. It is classed among the ornaments of the lodge along with the indented tassel and the blazing star. Its party-coloured stones of black and white have been readily and appropriately interpreted as symbols of the evil and good of human life. In the Entered Apprentice Degree, the mosaic pavement represents the ground floor of King Solomon’s Temple. In the account of King Solomon’s Temple in the Bible, the ground floor is said to be made of pine or fir, depending on the Bible translation (1 Kings 6:15).
The checkerboard floor upon which the modernfreemasonic lodge stands is the old tracing board of the Dionysiac (Greek) Architects, and while the modern organization is no longer limited to workmen’s guilds it still preserves its symbols. When thinking of the idea of Duality and the concept of good and evil, black and white, sacred and profane, an image that immediately enters my mind is that of the Ying-Yang.While this symbol has become a sort of pop culture icon in recent times, its symbolism is deep and its meaning applicable to this subject. While it has numerous interpretations the ying-yang demonstrates the concept of duality and balance. The synonym balance is an important term because of the position of the checkered carpet, the floor, where the foundation of the erect human body maybe found. The mason is taught to avoid irregularity and intemperance and to divide his time equally by the use of the twenty four inch gauge. These lessons refer to the importance of balance in a Mason’s life. Therefore the symbolism of the mosaic pavement could be interpreted to mean that balance provides the foundation of our Masonic growth.
It is almost certain that it arose unintentionally. In the early 1700’s the Lodges Tracing Boards were drawn on the floor, usually within a border or else a ‘Floor-Cloth’(then just coming into use) was rolled out into the middle of the floor. In the small tavern rooms which were the principal places of meetings there cannot have been much space left for traversing the lodge and, and if the ‘drawing’ or ‘floor-cloth’ was to be protected, a certain amount of squaring was inevitable. Of course, it was not the ‘heel-clicking’ type of precise squaring.
There is a minute, dated 1734, of the Old King’s Arms Lodge, now No.28, which mentions the ‘Foot Cloth’ made use of at the Initiations of new members’. But the earliest pictures of ‘floorcloths’ in use are date 1774, and they show fairly large designs laid out to cover most of the floor of a small lodge room, with all the brethren grouped around.
The earlies record found describing perambulations around the ‘floor-cloth’is in Reception Frey-Macon, 1737, which says that the Candidate was...... made to take three tours in the Chamber, around a space marked on the floor, where........... at two sides of this space they have also drawn in crayon a great J and a great B.
Most workings nowadays square the Lodge, clockwise, during the ceremonies, but exaggerated squaring, which requires all movement to be made clockwise round the floor of the Lodge and forbids crossing diagonally even during business. This probably arouse around the mid 1800’s.
The practice of squaring is admiral, because it adds dignity to the ceremonies, so long as its not carried to the extremes.
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Charge of the Light Brigade Crimean War 1854 Sgt. Brother John Penn Lodge Dunbar Castle No. 75
Brethren, Sgt. John Penn was a member of the Dunbar Lodge of Freemasons and became a local celebrity. In August of this year Lodge Dunbar Castle No.75 undertook the planning of restoring his gravestone in Dunbar Cemetery.
Some weeks ago, the attention of the Community Council was drawn to the state of the tombstone in the churchyard in Dunbar commemorating Sergeant John Penn [1820-86]. Penn’s tombstone is of historic interest because of the part he played in the military history of the 19th century.
Penn was born in Brighton. He joined the cavalry as soon as he reached the standard height. He was involved in many campaigns in India. He came back to Britain in 1853 and he volunteered for the 17th Lancers and went to the Crimea.
Surviving the Charge of the Light Brigade in the battle of Balaclava in 1854. He is referred to for his courage in Nolan’s account of the Crimea and in an account published in the United Services Gazette of 1877. It is said he holds more medals for bravery and soldiership than any other man in her majesty’s service. In 1863 he left the army and came to Dunbar and joined the East Lothian and Border Yeomanry as a sergeant instructor. Local gentry made it possible for him to attend the annual Balaclava banquet. He died in January 1886. His funeral fully described in the Courier of the 5th February 1886 was a major event. His coffin was wrapped in a royal ensign and on it was his helmet, sword and two wreaths supplied by Miss Nisbet Hamilton of Biel. It was carried from his home in the High Street to St Anne’s chapel [The Iron Church]. The coffin was followed by a horse draped in funeral apparel. The Rev A Broad conducted the service. The coffin was taken by various bearer parties, made up from the military and also a Masonic party to the graveyard at the other end of the town. There was a huge military presence. Many having come from Edinburgh. The streets were crowded with the towns people and others. Amazingly his coffin was lowered into the grave by Mr John Penn[son], Col. the Earl of Haddington, Colonel Anderson, Major Pym, Capt Waldron and other officers. Three volleys were fired, and the band played between them. Thus, was the hero of Balaclava committed to the dust. It was a truly exceptional event.
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No man in East Lothian was better known than Sgt Penn [said in 1886]. We want to keep his memory alive. Clearly, he was a remarkable man and his grave should be of wide interest to the Lothian and Border Horse, to the people of Dunbar and to others from further afield. It was an excellent afternoon watching the Scottish & Irish Yeomanry being given the freedom of Dunbar before witnessing a very nice ceremony at Sgt. Penn’s graveside. Thanks go to Bro. Gordon Kilgour PM for allowing us to share the story of this incredible man. I Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!” he said. Into the valley of DeathRode the six hundred. III II
Cannon to right of them, “Forward, the Light Brigade!” Cannon to left of them, Was there a man dismayed? Cannon in front of them Not though the soldier knew Volleyed and thundered; Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Theirs not to reason why, Into the jaws of Death, Theirs but to do and die. Into the mouth of hell Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Rode the six hundred. V IV Cannon to right of them, Flashed all their sabres bare, Cannon to left of them, Flashed as they turned in air Cannon behind them Sabring the gunners there, Volleyed and thundered; Charging an army, while Stormed at with shot and shell, All the world wondered. While horse and hero fell. Plunged in the battery-smoke They that had fought so well Right through the line they Came through the jaws of broke; Death, Cossack and Russian Reeled from the sabre stroke Back from the mouth of hell, All that was left of them, Shattered and sundered. Left of six hundred. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. VI
Sgt. Penn’s restored stone in Dunbar Cemetry
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When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honour the charge they made! Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred!
Famous Scottish Freemason Sir Harry Lauder was a Scottish singer and comedian popular in both the English music hall and vaudevillian theatre tradition, where he achieved international success.
He was born on 4 August 1870 in his grandfather's house in Portobello, near Edinburgh, the eldest of seven children. His father, John Lauder, was a descendant of the feudal barons the Lauders of the Bass, and his mother, Isabella McLennan, was born in Arbroath to a family from the Black Isle. Lauder's father moved to Derbyshire in 1882 to take up a job designing china, but died soon after his arrival from pneumonia. His Mother, left with little more than £15, moved to be with her own family in Arbroath.
In 1891 Lauder married Ann Vallance, the daughter of a colliery manager in Hamilton. Harry often sang to the miners in Hamilton, who encouraged him to perform in local music halls. While singing in nearby Larkhall, he received 5 shillings—the first time he was paid for singing. He received further engagements including a weekly spots at the Scotia Music Hall and Metropole Theatre in Glasgow. He was advised to gain experience by touring music halls around the country with a concert party, which he did. The tour allowed him to quit the coal mines and become a professional singer. Lauder concentrated his repertoire on comedic routines and songs of Scotland and Ireland.
Harry launched his career at the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Glasgow and is said to have first appeared in his music-hall career as an comedian. He toured the world extensively during his forty-year career, including 22 trips to the United States and several to Australia, to which his brother John had emigrated. He was, at one time, the highest-paid performer in the world, making the equivalent of £12,700 a night plus expenses, and was the first British performer to sell more than a million records. Lauder's appeal was not limited to popular tastes; he was a favourite of King Edward VII and a friend of Sir Thomas Lipton, the tea merchant. He is perhaps most well-known for his performances in Highland regalia (Kilt, Sporran, Tam O'Shanter and twisted walking stick) and singing songs with a Scottish theme (Roamin' in the Gloamin' etc.). This image was possibly a major reason for his popularity abroad with Scottish emigres.
He was initiated a Freemason on 28 January 1897 in Lodge Dramatic, No.571 in Glasgow, and remained an active Freemason for the rest of his life. He was described by Sir Winston Churchill as "Scotland's greatest ever ambassador", He became a familiar worldwide figure promoting images like the kilt, with his ‘twisted walking stick’ to huge acclaim.
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When World War I broke out, Harry was in Melbourne on one of his Australian tours. However, during the war, he led successful fundraising efforts for war charities, organised a tour of music halls in 1915 for recruitment purposes, and entertained the troops under enemy fire in France. He suffered personal tragedy during the war, when his only son, John (1891–1916), a captain in the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was killed in action on 28 December 1916 at Poiziers.
Harry wrote the song "Keep Right on to the End of the Road" in the wake of John's death and had a monument built for his son, who was buried in France, in the little Lauder Cemetery in Glenbranter. For his services during the war, Lauder was knighted in January 1919. Winston Churchill stated that Lauder, "...by his inspiring songs and valiant life, rendered measureless service to the Scottish race and to the British Empire."
Sir Harry wrote most of his own songs, favourites of which were "Roamin' in the Gloamin", "I Love a Lassie", "A Wee Deoch-an-Doris", and "Keep Right on to the End of the Road". He starred in three British films: Huntingtower (1928), Auld Lang Syne (1929) and The End of the Road (1936). He also wrote a number of books which ran into several editions, including Harry Lauder at Home and on Tour (1912), A Minstrel in France (1918), Between You and Me (1919), Roamin’ in the Gloamin’ (1928 autobiography), My Best Scotch Stories (1929), Wee Drappies (1931) and Ticklin’ Talks (circa 1932). Sir Harry's wife died on 31 July 1927 and was buried next to her son's memorial at 'Glenbranter', Argyll. His niece, Margaret (Greta) Lauder, M.B.E., (1900–1966), moved in with him at his home, 'Laudervale' (outside Dunoon), and became his constant companion in later years.
Sir Harry's final retirement was announced in 1935. However, he again entertained troops during World War II, despite his age, and made wireless broadcasts with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. He also appeared immediately after the war to thank the crews of American food relief ships docking at Glasgow. His last years were spent in his home of Lauder Ha' at Strathaven, where he died in February 1950, aged 79. Unexpectedly, Sir Harry was interred with his mother and brother George at Bent Cemetery, Hamilton, rather than at 'Glenbranter'.
When the A199 Portobello bypass was opened, it was named the "Sir Harry Lauder Road". On 28 July 1987, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, The Rt. Hon. John McKay, CBE, hosted a luncheon at the Edinburgh City Chambers, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the granting of the Freedom of the City to Sir Harry Lauder, attended by family representative Gregory Lauder-Frost, who, on 4 August 2001, formally opened the new Sir Harry Lauder Memorial Garden at Portobello Town Hall, and was the principal commentator throughout the Saltire/BBC2 TV (Scotland) documentary entitled 'Something About Harry' screened on 30 November 2005.
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DID YE KEN!!!
TEMPERANCE
That the word Cowan is a Scottish word and was originally use to describe a dry-stone dyker? and that the word eavesdropper is a term for a listner of a private conversation. Put these two words together and you have a purely Masonic meaning that we are all very familiar with.
Temperance comes from the word Temper, or Tempero, for Latin having the meaning of Calmness or composure among it many possible meanings. In modern times we apply them to eating and drinking. In Freemasonry it is a modern times deism that evolves from the strictness of religion during the dark ages.
Oh n anither hing!!!!!........
Masonic tokens were onced used for legal tender.In 1794 a token was minted in honour of the Prince of Wales in England. A son of George 111 who later became George the 1V. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England from 1790 to 1813. The ordinator of the half penny coin was Brother James Sketchley of Birmingham who created the coin to commemmorate the election of the Prince as Grand Master Mason. These coins were so superior in their copper content that they became readily legal tender. They were withdrawn by the government in 1817.
To-day, Temperance means self control to Masons, so that as society an attitudes change we can maintain or Masonic principles and philosophies by exercising or self control over ourselves and out lives.
In the charge to a newly made E.A., he is admonished to let Temperance chasten him. We apply this statement to subdue us in difficult situations such as that our inner discipline allows us to live with self control. A mason having learned and in possession of this cardinal virtue will be able to add Fortitude to this virtue of self control.
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Freemasonry Around The World Japan
Brethren, as most of enjoyed watching the Rugby World Cup held in Japan, I thought it would be interesting to explore Freemasonry in Japan. Being separated by water from the Asian Continent, its civilization developed in relative seclusion in pre-modern days. Foreign cultural influence gradually reached the country mainly through the neighbouring countries of China and Korea.
The first Westerners to reach Japan were Portuguese traders who landed on Tanegashima, a small island in southern Japan, in 1543. Subsequently other nationals arrived. In due course the then ruling shogunate became concerned about the growing foreign influence on its people. In 1639 it virtually secluded the country from the rest of the world, which condition lasted for more than two centuries until 1854. Under these circumstances only Protestant Dutch and non-Christian Chinese were allowed to do business with Japan.
THE FIRST LODGE IN JAPAN
It was during this period that the first masonic lodge was introduced to Japan. A military lodge called Sphinx Lodge No. 263, Irish Constitution, came to Japan with a detachment of the British 20th Regiment which arrived in Yokohama in 1864. While in Yokohama, the lodge held meetings and admitted civilian members. Being a military lodge, however, it could not operate in Japan long. It held its last meeting in March 1866.
THE FORMATION OF LOCAL LODGES
Meanwhile, those brethren living in Yokohama felt it desirable to form a lodge of their own and they petitioned for a formation of such a lodge to the United Grand Lodge of England. Thus the first local lodge, Yokohama Lodge No. 1092, came into being, holding the first regular meeting on June 26, 1866. A total of six English and three Scottish lodges were formed in Japan before the last war. With the abolishment of the extra-territoriality in 1899, the brethren held their meetings in accordance with the gentlemen's agreement with the Japanese Government that the government would not interfere with the fraternity's activities as long as the membership was limited to foreign nationals and that the meetings were conducted without ostentation.
THE RIVER VALLEY PRISONER OF WAR MASONIC CLUB
(Before, During and after)In the Museum at Freemasons' Hall, Edinburgh. there is a remarkable document, being a Roll of Founder Members of the River Valley P.O.W. Masonic Club [I]. The Roll is remarkable for several reasons but in order to set it in context some brief historical notes are perhaps appropriate.
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War in Europe was declared on 3rd September 1939. British military activity initially therefore was concentrated there, in the Middle East and North Africa. When the Japanese Air Force attacked Pearl Harbour in the Hawaiian Islands on 8th December 1941, the Second World War had been underway for over two years. This attack on Pearl Harbour is often thought to be the first aggressive act by the Japanese armed forces but in fact one hour before [2], a force of 5,500 Japanese soldiers had landed at Kota Bharu, Malaya [3].
Their intention was to capture Malay in 100 days. This aim was achieved in 70 days. On 10th December 1941, the British Battleships `Repulse' and 'Prince of Wales', flying the flag of Admiral Phillips, were sunk attempting to stem the Japanese landings. With little air support and no tanks the Empire forces were pushed south by elite Japanese troops who had been specially trained for jungle warfare [4]. The Empire troops fell back to Singapore Island and on 8th February 1942 the Japanese invaded the island. General Percival commanding the Empire forces surrendered on 15th February 1942. That surrender was, in part, forced on him because water supplies had been cut. More than 95,000 military personnel became Prisoners of War [5].
Civilians were incarcerated in the infamous Changi Gaol and military personnel in the sprawling prison camp which surrounded it. Much has been written regarding the experiences of Freemasons in this camp [6] details of which I need not here repeat.
As Brother Hewitt stated in 1967. "River Valley Road P.O.W. Masonic Club [7] is another small body about which little is known" [8].
In time the Japanese military forces began to organise P.O.W.'s into camps outside Changi Gaol and Camp. Most were loosely selected on the basis of their local knowledge, occupation or fitness [9]. River Valley Road P.O.W. Camp was to the west of Singapore City. Generally small groups of prisoners [50-75] were initially selected to work from such camps [10]. Most were put to work repairing bomb damage etc. in the docks area. After several weeks some prisoners were diverted to tasks more suited to their occupations such as making louvre windows for P.O.W. camp huts etc. [11].
The Roll of Founder Members of the River Valley Road P.O.W. Masonic Club is dated 10th July 1942. It lists 25 Brethren. Six of the Scottish Constitution, five Australian, one Irish and Thirteen English. Each of the Brethren was given his own personal copy of the Roll [12], all twenty five of which had been prepared by Brother C. D. Pickersgill [13]. The decision to prepare such a Roll [let alone twenty five copies] is remarkable because the Japanese had accepted, totally, Nazi propaganda against Freemasonry. The Brethren's names, Mother Lodge, Masonic Rank and even signatures are recorded. Had any of the twenty five copies been discovered by the Japanese all twenty five almost certainly would have been executed [14].
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The activities of the Brethren in the camp were limited. The only time that they were allowed to themselves was on Thursday afternoons when all prisoners were allowed to 'debug' their clothing and bedding by putting it into an oven. The clothing etc., once in an oven the heat was turned up sufficiently high to kill the bugs without burning the clothing. As the Brethren slowly made themselves known to each other [15] they arranged to meet together each Thursday afternoon. Once sufficient numbers attended on a regular basis they were able to convince their Japanese guards (and other non-Masons] that they were holding a religious service. The only item used was the Volume of the Sacred Law. All the Degrees were worked [16] and with the diversity of Constitutions present the Brethren were also treated to lectures by Past Masters [17] on the Symbolism of Freemasonry, the different workings in each Constitution and in-depth discussions as to the different rituals etc. The Japanese Guards were ever present, especially when 'large' groups of prisoners moved around. How then were the Brethren able to meet every Thursday afternoon and hold Masonic discussions for an hour or two? Who was the Tyler? The fact that these ' gatherings' (whilst doing the necessary 'debugging') were thought to be religious in nature means that the Japanese guards unwittingly 'volunteered' to keep off all `Cowans and Evesdroppers'. One stood outside the door and the other stood inside. Both had a rifle with fixed bayonet. Needless to say neither could speak nor understand English! The Japanese forces were anxious to consolidate their position and planned also to invade India through Burma. Once the work in Singapore was completed therefore, most of the P.O.W.'s were transferred to the infamous Burma/Siam Railway. I have been unable to trace any organised Masonic activity in the various camps there which hardly surprising given the conditions and the constant movement of P.O.W.'s. Even in these circumstances individuals remembered the Masonic precepts of Faith, Hope and Charity, assisting each other where possible, even if only to hold hands whilst a Brother passed to the Grand Lodge above [18]. On one occasion a Brother [19] was asked to stay in a camp to look after six P.O.W.'s who were near death [20]. He recalls rolling hand-made cigarettes [21] when an Australian Padre [22] arrived and seeing that he was using pages from the V.S.L. to make the cigarettes he told him that this was alright as long as the pages were not used for 'anything else' [23]. During the frequent forced marches of one group of P.O.W.'s 'leap-frogging' each other, many P.O.W.'s recall that even in these dire circumstances a Scot had managed to keep his bagpipes and played them continuously during several of the forced marches from one camp to another [24]. Most of the Brethren named on the Roll apparently perished whilst working on the railway. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to confirm all the details of the Brethren named on the Roll [25].
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The 'Unconditional Surrender' of the Axis forces in Europe on 7th May 1945 and many, incorrectly, regard this as the end of the War. However, it was not until 14th August 1945 that the Emperor of Japan ordered his forces to lay down their arms.
Even after the cessation of hostilities the tribulations of the P.O.W.'s were not over. Many were left in camps all over Malaya waiting for to be released. Some very small scale Masonic activity took place, even if only on a one to one basis. It was important at this very last moment to maintain spirits. It is worthy of note that the last St Andrew's day service held before relief by Empire Forces was held in a small native hut. It is specifically remembered that towards the end of this service [26] two Brethren who were not of the Scottish Constitution [27] knowing what the occasion was, approached from a distance, singing; "there is a voice calling, calling" As they approached the 'kirk' their voices grew more powerful. The men present wept.
The veterans of the Far East War often consider themselves to have been part of the 'Forgotten Army'. Let us never forget these Brethren who kept the Light of Freemasonry alive in the most unimaginable of circumstances.
Of the original twenty five copies of the Roll, two are known to still exist. One is in the Museum of Freemasons' Hall, Edinburgh, and the other is in the possession of a surviving Brother. A third copy is thought to possibly be in the Singapore Masonic Museum. The fact that any have survived is all the more remarkable as each were hand drawn [and coloured] on delicate rice paper.
FOOTNOTES: I The Roll was presented to the Grand lodge of Scotland in 1985 by Mrs Banner. Brother Banner who is second on the Roll, died on the infamous Burma/Siam railway in 1943. How the Roll came into the possession of his widow is a mystery. 2 Times adjusted to GMT. 3 At the extreme North East of Malaya. 4 Including the Imperial Guards (5th and 18th), some of the best trained in the Japanese Army. 5 Including the 2nd Battalions of the Gordon Highlanders and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. 6 Craftsmen in Captivity Part III`, by Brother A. Hewitt. The Grand Lodge of Scotland Year Book 1967. 7 Ibid. 8 The conditions were bad, "As for the British and Australian P.O.W.'s. they were marched off to Changi Barracks where they were herded into overcrowded prison pens. They were even worse accommodated at the River Valley Camp, to which working parties were sent" The Hill of Singapore, by Frank Owen. 9 Many of the Brethren recorded on the Roll were resident in Singapore. 10 Other similar camps were located at: Sime Road, Outram Road and Havelock Road, cont. details of which are also slight.
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11 Brother Ovens was a Cabinetmaker in civilian life. 12 The only possessions allowed were: wooden sandals, a 'G' string and a cotton bag to hold the rice ration. One member of the Masonic Club [Brother Hugh Ovens] kept his copy or the Roll in a length of bamboo with a piece of string tied through it. Apparently this convinced the guards that it was hollow and nothing in it as it was never searched. To quote: "I kept this certificate inside my hollow bamboo pole on which I hung my rice bag and I put a rope through it, so that when the guards searched us, they never thought to look inside the bamboo pole. I have the certificate to this day and it is something that is very special to me and brings back memories of one or the few good experiences of my time in the Far East." Brother Hugh Ovens, 1994. 13 Brother Pickersgill was an architect in Singapore. An eyewitness has confirmed that he died on working on the Burma/Siam Railway. There is another reference to Brother Pickersgill in the article referred to at [6]. 'The death of Brother Pickersgill is not recorded by the War Graves Commission. 14 Searches were frequent. The guards were particularly looking for razor blades, mirrors and wireless sets. 15 Brother C.S.M. George Barbour carefully sought out members of the Craft using signs, tokens and words in that camp, particularly among the Scots. 16 Demonstrations only. 17 Although Brother Leonard Banner is described on the Roll as a P.M. he was actually a Right Worshipful Master at this time having been Installed in June 1941. No other Master was Installed until after the war and therefore Brother Banner died as the Master. of Lodge Tullibardine- in-the-East. No.1118. 18 Brother Ovens recalled several such instances of Masonic kindness but with the passage of time cannot recall the names of the Brethren concerned. 19 Brother Hugh Ovens. 20 Including one Mason. 21 Made from Thai grass which was washed and dried in the sun and 'blew your head off.' 22 Padre Harry Thorpe, Brother Ovens explained to him, what he was doing -'Making Holy Smoke!' Padre Thorpe also survived the war and visited Brother Ovens in Glasgow in 1946. 23 All along the railway the trees had been stripped bare from ground to just above head height. 24 I have not as yet been able to confirm who this P.O.W. was, but I take the opportunity to quote another P.O.W.'s recollection; (26th May 1943), "That night after night, hour after hour, heading the column, a piper from Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders played a dirge, inexplicably tender, infinitely sad. The thin, slow sound often waned, drowned out by the beat of the downpour, but always came back like a distant beacon in a storm." From; To the River Kwai, by John Stewart. 25 The Commonwealth War Graves Commission attempts to record all those servicemen who died during the war. The difficulty in tracing those on the Roll is due to the fact that no regiments/units are recorded. There is therefore, no Regimental records that can be accessed.
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This problem is further compounded by the fact that many of the Brethren recorded on the Roll were members of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force which were recruited locally and the records held in Singapore. Such records were destroyed as the Japanese advanced. 26 The Australian Padre, Harry Thorpe, was very active and never forgot St Andrew's, St Patrick's or St George's Days, holding a service every year on each of the Patron Saints' days. 27 Two Australians with Welsh names: Ivor Jones and Jack Rourke. I have been unable to confirm if they were Masons.
This is the scroll of the River Valley POW Masonic Club and can be seen in the museum at Freemasons Hall, George Street.
Thank you to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for allowing me to share this marvellous story.