Good Times Bad Times 2

1915

The Lodge celebrated its silver Jubilee year (despite the break from 1874 - 1883) and a Special Meeting was held, attended by the District Grand Lodge Officers and Brethren from all Cairo Lodges. The Deputy District Grand Master, W. Bro. J. Langley delivered a speech on the occasion and W. Bro. Hayes read a paper on the history of the Lodge.

Sadly, due to the loss of the old Minute Books, there is no record of the Brethren who served and died in the Great War, other than Brothers Almond, Kitchener and Surguy listed in the Roll of Honour at Freemasons’ Hall

1917

During his Mastership, W. Bro. G E Williams presented the Lodge with a block with an Egyptian design for use on Lodge notices and Summonses. This was used until 1935, when the current Lodge arms, based on Lord Dalling & Bulwer’s Coat of Arms, was adopted. This Crest has changed slightly over the years, having become a little “slimmer”. More information is given under the year 1935.

Lt. Col. John Hutton Bisdee V.C., O.B.E., Initiated 6th January 1917 aged 49 years and Capt. Hugo Vivian Hope Throssell, V.C., was Initiated 15th June 1917 aged 24 years. Full information appears in the “eminent Members” section.

1918

Ars Quatuor Coronatorum records that, in 1918, the Lodge had the unique privilege of Initiating two Army Officers who had gained the Victoria Cross, Bros. J. H. Bisdee and H. V. H. Throssell. Their actual dates have been traced and it was, in fact, 1917 when they were Initiated.

On the presentation of their Grand Lodge Certificates, a letter was read from the District Grand Master congratulating the Lodge on this Notable occasion. There is no record of their future activities in the Lodge, if any.

1919

Members of the Craft from the Anzac Mounted Division which had been in the Gallipoli Campaign let it be known that they wished to visit the Lodge. An Emergency Meeting was held on 20th February 1919 for this purpose and over 50 Anzac visitors attended. The Lodge also met on 4th January, 1st February, 1st March, 5th April, 3rd May and 7th June.

1920

The District Grand Master, Sir Reginald Wingate, resigned his office and John Langley CBE of Grecia Lodge, No. 1105, and First Principal of Bulwer Chapter in 1899, was appointed in his stead. He was installed on 4th April 1921 and a special Deputation came from Grand Lodge for this purpose, consisting of the Grand Secretary, V.W. Bro. Sir Philip Colville Smith and the Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, V.W. Bro. A. R. Collett. R.W. Bro. Langley left Egypt in 1924 and resigned h

1924

Major General Sir Lee Stack was appointed District Grand Master for Egypt and the Sudan. He was Installed on 3rd April 1924 and the Deputation from Grand Lodge consisted of the Grand Secretary, V.W. Bro. Sir Philip Colville Smith, V.W. Bro. Can on H. Curtis, Past Grand Chaplain and V.W. Bro. A. R. Collett, Past Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. He was assassi nated in Cairo on 19th November 1924 causing great shock in all right-minded circles in Egypt and thousands attended his funeral.

As the Lodge banner was almost worn out, a new one was purchased with contributions from the Past Masters and Wardens of the Lodge.

1926

Brigadier General C. S. Wilson was appointed District Grand Master for Egypt and the Sudan. Brigadier Wilson was elected to Honorary Membership in 1931 where more information is given. Once again, a Deputation from Grand Lodge came to Egypt for his Installation. This time, the Grand Secretary, V.W. Bro. Sir Philip Colville Smith, was accompanied by W. Bro. C. R. I. Nicholl, Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies, W. Bro. Colonel Wingfield, Past Grand Deacon, acting as Deputy District Grand Master and W. Bro. J. Terry, Past Grand Deacon, acting as District Senior Grand Warden.

1933

Rt. Rev. Bishop Llewellyn Gwynne was appointed District Grand Master for Egypt & the Sudan. The Grand Lodge Deputation at his Installation on 6th April 1934, consisted of the M.W. Pro. Grand Master, Lord Ampthill, assisted by W. Bro. Lt. Col. G. I. Davys, Past Grand Deacon and W. Bro. Major R. L. Lloyd, Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. More information about Bishop Johnston appears under 1936, when he was elected to Honorary Membership.

1934

On 8th June 1934, the Foundation Stone was laid for a new Freemasons’ Hall in Sharia Madrasseh el Fransawia (Street of the French School). The stone was cut from King Solomon’s quarries in Jerusalem where it had been specially prepared. It was placed at the entrance to the building by Rt. Wor. Bro. Bishop Ll. H. Gwynne, C.M.G., C.B.E., D.D., L.L.D., District Grand Master for Egypt and the Sudan.

The stone on the opposite side of the entrance was brought from the Upper Egypt granite quarries. The Temple was completed and consecrated by the District Grand Master on 18th May 1935.

The Regular Meeting on 7th April 1934 was honoured by a visit from the Pro. Grand Master, Lord Ampthill who delivered the Charge to the Initiates. He also presented Grand Lodge Certificates to four members and gave “most instruc tive and valuable addresses”.

1935

Bulwer Lodge of Cairo moved to the new Freemasons’ Hall in ShariaMadrasseh el Fransawia following its Dedication on 18th May 1935. The first meeting was held there on 5th October 1935.

The Lodge Coat of Arms was changed from “an Egyptian design” to a design based on the Bulwer family arms. The top right hand quadrant is based on the “three castles, chevron and compasses” which form half of the Coat of Arms of the United Grand Lodge of England. The lower left quadrant, being the Giza pyramids and Sphinx, portray our Egyptian origins. The other two identical quadrants, containing three “birds” and a chevron with three stars are, presumably, from the Bulwer Family arms.

Bro. F. D. Stevenson Drane records that, from 1935, “the Lodge enjoyed 20 years of quiet prosperity without disturbing incidents. It was always a popular Lodge and well attended”.

1942

A number of Brethren were Passed and Raised on behalf of other Lodges during 1942. It can safely be assumed that these were servicemen posted to Egypt during World War II. There is no record of any of them Joining Bulwer Lodge of Cairo.

Edward Vickery was Passed on 7th March 1942 on behalf of Guildhall School of Music Lodge, No. 2554 where he was Initiated on 22nd May 1939 aged 28 years. According their records, he was also raised in Egypt and was killed in action in 1942 although we record him as having died on 19th January 1943. He was the only member of that Lodge to have been killed on active service. (Grateful thanks to W. Bro. H. J. Mogg, S.L.G.R., Secretary of Guildhall School of Music Lodge for additional information.)

Alfred Geoffrey de Tracey Gould was Passed on 7th March 1942 and Raised on 4th December 1943 on behalf of a New Zealand Lodge. Robert Hugh Hamilton Nevin was Passed 7th March 1942 on behalf of a New Zealand Lodge. J. H. Nevin was re-obligated on behalf of a New Zealand Lodge.

1943

During 1943, the Lodge met at Freemasons’ Hall, Cairo, in January, (Installation), February, March, April, 1st May, 5th June, 2nd October, 6th November & 4th December. No minutes are available for 1943, thus the missing dates. All information has been obtained from the Attendance Register.

The Lodge carried out a courtesy raising of a Bro. Niel Ker, now Past Assistant Grand Standard Bearer, on behalf of Panmure Lodge, No. 720, on 6th November 1943. W. Bro. Stephen Bishop met him at the June Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge. Bro Ker was initiated at eh age of 20 by dispensation on 6th July 1942 and passed in Raisina Lodge of New Delhi whilst learning Urdu in the Rajputana Rifles. The reason for his dispensation was due to be commissioned from Sandhurst on 4th July 1942 and had volunteered for the Indian Army.

1946

The Ven. Archdeacon F. F. Johnston was appointed as the last District Grand Master for Egypt & Sudan in Egypt. He was elected to Honorary Membership of the Lodge in 1936, where details of his career can be found.

1949

The District Grand Lodge Meeting was moved to Alexandria on 25th November and “a motor bus was engaged to convey the Brethren wishing to attend. Also, at this time, the Cairo Lodges held Christmas Parties for children. This year it was the turn of Lotus Lodge, No. 3296.

continue to part 3