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The
Effects of the First World War
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Those of you, who are students of history, will no doubt realise that only
eleven days after the Consecration of our Lodge, saw the outbreak of that appalling
war, afterwards known as the Great War, and later as World War I. This
imposed an extra burden on the Founder Members, and created numerous
problems.
At that second Regular Lodge Meeting, in October 1914, it is recorded that
the “Worshipful Master sympathetically referred to the unfortunate
position of Bro. H. Suck, Senior Steward, who although resident in this
country for 27 years, being a German, he had neglected to naturalize himself.
He was now one day too late to register and the W.M. expressed the feeling
and respect felt by all who knew him.
“The fact that hostility was naturally felt towards ones enemies,
particularly arising from the dreadful excesses committed by their troops, it
was considered desirable that Bro. Suck should not attend Lodge meetings for
the present.”
A circular from Grand Lodge was read at the Bi-Monthly Meeting on September
24th. 1915, to the effect that Germans should be requested to resign or be
dismissed from membership. It is recorded to their credit, that the officers
of the Lodge decided this item ‘be left on the table.’
Perhaps being prompted by the knowledge that such a circular had been issued,
Bro. Heinrich Suck, resigned on September 20th, saying such tragic words,
“I have had so many disappointments masonically and I feel I am no
longer a member of the Mozart Lodge.”
Later on in the war it was decided that the names of the eight members of the
Lodge, who were serving in H.M. Forces, should appear at the top of the
circular sent for the Lodge meetings. Perhaps they were: Corp. C. Mott, Pvt.
A. W. Fox, Lieut. R. J. Foort, Lieut. T. W. Lancaster, Capt. W. H Buxton, Dr.
C. Thomas R.A.M.C., H. Ripley Evans and F. C. Stephenson.
At the Bi-Monthly Meeting on October 2nd. 1914, Bro. Rowlands asked for
assistance with regard to a scheme of entertainments in the locality whereby
local Benevolent Funds and Artists, at present suffering so much by the
cessation of concerts and entertainments in consequence of the War, might be
assisted.
W. Bro. Penn requested at the regular Meeting on November 19th. 1915, that
Brother Masons from Australia
and New Zealand,
who were wounded, should be visited.
The war took its toll of our Brethren and potential Brethren. It was decided
at a Special Meeting of Past Masters and Officers, held on August 20th. 1914
that a vote of condolence be passed to the Prov. Grand Master, Rt. W. Bro.
George Beech, on the death of his eldest son, Capt. E. Beech, who was to have
been balloted for as a joining member of Mozart Lodge at that very meeting.
The war had only been going for 16 days!
At the Installation Meeting on October 18th.1918, the W. Master referred to
the death on Active Service, of Bro. Charles Mott, Baritone, Vocalist, age
35, a Lodge member. He was serving as a Corporal in the lst/28th. London
Regiment in the B.E.F.
Condolences were offered to Bro. Clark on the death of his son in France.
Bro. A. W. Fox was another Lodge member to lose his life serving with the
M.T. section of the A.S.C. and his last recorded attendance at the Lodge was
on December 15th. 1916.
Both of these names are recorded on the Roll of Honour in the Temple
at Stirling Road,
Edgbaston.
There are also penned notes at the top of page 9 of the Declaration Book
which refers to Frederick George Stephenson, and says “Killed in Action”,
and page 11 which refers to Harry Ripley Evans, says the same terse message.
Bro. Ripley Evans is last recorded in the Tyler’s
Book at the installation of Bro. Sidney Purchase on October 18th.1918, only
some three weeks before the Armistice. His name does not appear on the Roll
of Honour which must cast doubt on the accuracy of the penned note.
Bro. F. 0. Stephenson we certainly know was not killed and progressed through
the Lodge to J.W. in 1925.
Members of the Lodge, who were serving in the Armed Forces, were not called
on to pay the Annual Subscription during this time.
Fees were increased at the meeting in October 1918 to: -
£ : s : d
Initiation 12-12- 0
Joining 4 - 4- 0
Subscriptions 3 - 3- 0
It is interesting to note that at the Regular Lodge Meeting, held on November
15th. 1918, just four days after the signing of the Armistice, before the
Lodge was opened the Brethren sang the National Anthem and then ‘0h God
our help in ages past’. A special prayer of thankfulness was also read.
Things did not always go smoothly with Provincial Grand Lodge even in those
days. An interesting letter from the P.G.M. and our reply reads as follows: -
Dated December 5th 1914
Dear Bro. Boocock, Re: Prince of Wales Fund.
On referring to the list of Lodges subscribing to this Fund, I do not find
the name of the Mozart Lodge as subscribed. I should much like to be able to
report that every Warwickshire Lodge had contributed, also to announce the
total subscribed by the Freemasons of Warwickshire.
Yours faithfully and fraternally,
George Beech, Prov. Grand Master.
Dated December 7th 1914
Right Worshipful Sir,
I duly received your letter of the 5th. inst. with reference to this Lodge.
The Lodge has voted an amount to the Belgian Refugees Fund, the Brethren
considering that this Fund was more in need of assistance than the Prince of
Wales Fund. I will however, bring your letter forward at next Meeting and
write you further.
Yours faithfully and fraternally,
L H. Boocock, Secretary.
Unfortunately any further correspondence on this subject is not to hand.
Because Brethren were scattered around during this time, some of the Passings
were taken in other Lodges.
Bro. Sidney Frere was Passed in Londesborough Lodge No. 734, in Bridlington, Yorkshire,
in 1915.
Bro. F. Wise was Passed in Lodge St Andrew No. 544, at Coatbridge,
on August 7th. 1919. He then wrote to the Lodge Secretary saying that he
would be leaving for America
on September 6th. and requested an Emergency Meeting be called to enable him
to be Raised, in the latter part of August. He was a little upset when the
Secretary pointed out to him that this was not possible, and in any case
there had to be a period of at least one month between degrees.
Incidentally, the Lodge of St Andrew is not now listed in the year book.
Bro. Harry Ripley Evans was Raised in Chelsea Lodge No. 3098. in London,
at his request, on August 20th. 1915.
W. Bro. Wymark Stratton, who was at the time Master of Tudor Lodge, requested
to be allowed to take some of the outstanding ‘Passings’ in his
Lodge, to help speed up the programme.
A number of resignations came about due to the hostilities, both from serving
members, who were of course unable to attend meetings, and from members who
could no longer obtain time off from their place of business to attend.
One such resignation will you believe, which is in the Lodge archives, was
written on the back of a business card! There was a war on of course.
(Written by W.Bro. Arthur Aston.)
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