The Orange Standard and the First World WarPart One - 1914

From 1914 to 1928 the Grand Orange Lodge of England published a monthly magazine called “The Orange Standard”. Given that the period during which it was produced included the First World War it is an invaluable resource for anyone studying the role played by Orangemen, and not English Orangemen alone, in that great conflict.

The first issue came out in January 1914, and nowhere in it is there any evidence that the editorial board was aware of the gathering storm. Many of the articles are to educate the membership in Protestant doctrine and history, some are highly critical of the Church of Rome and those within the Church of England who sought to imitate her, and the references to current concerns in the political world are overwhelmingly to do with the struggle against the Third Home Rule Bill.

Every issue of the magazine had reports from lodges, and some of these unwittingly foreshadow the coming conflict. In the issue for March 1914 a report from “Ulster Scot” LOL 287, meeting in the Moravian Schoolroom in Devonport, described how a Brother Evans had lately returned from Canada aboard HMS Niobe. Niobe was a protected cruiser that had been given to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1910. Brother Evans was congratulated for his “indefatigable effort in connection with our Order whilst serving in HMS Niobe … in that the lodge started there was brought up to three figures in membership”. LOL 287 made four new members at this meeting, which brought their membership up to 130.

The issue of April 1914 carried several accounts of Irish Nationalists attempting to stop efforts to recruit Irishmen into the British Army. One of them refers to Major John MacBride in the following terms, -

SMOOTHER PATH for the CONQUEST OF ENGLAND BY THE GERMANSSeditious Speech by Major McBride.THE following report of a speech by Major McBride appears in The Kilkenny People: -“I appeal to you most earnestly to do all in your power to prevent your countrymen from entering the degraded British Army. If you prevent 500 men from enlisting you do nearly as good work, if not quite so exciting, as if you shot 500 men on the field of battle, and also you are making the path smoother for the approaching conquest of England by Germany. Let your one motto be-No recruits for England."

This was the MacBride who had fought with the Boers against the British in South Africa and who was later to take part in the Rebellion of 1916, with the result that he was court-martialled and shot. It is of interest that MacBride was contemplating a war between Britain and Germany when many others did not see it coming.

In the same issue, a report from “Luther” LOL 837, meeting at the Primrose Hall in Weston-Super-Mare, initiated Captain G J Sandys, who was the local MP, Captain R B Graves-Knyfton, JP, and Colonel St Barke Browne. It is unusual that one lodge should have three army officers as members.

Captain George John Sandys was born on 23rd September 1875. He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the 5th Dragoon Guards, served in the Boer War with the Glamorgan Yeomanry, being promoted to Lieutenant in 1901, and joined the 2nd Life Guards after the war. He left the Army in 1905 and was elected MP for Wells in 1910, and was a strong supporter of Ulster during the Home Rule Crisis.

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He used his military experience to good effect while in Parliament. He introduced a bill before Parliament for compulsory military training for all young men in the Territorials, but the bill was talked out. As guest speaker at the annual dinner of the Royal Aero Club in 1911, he criticised the attitude of “the authorities” as being insufficiently supportive of military aviation. He had been present at French military manoeuvres and had found the French to be much more forward-looking about the use of the air arm.

On the outbreak of War he rejoined the Army and went out to serve with the BEF. On 6th November 1914 he was wounded in the left shoulder. Surgeons decided not to operate and Sandys was sent back to England to recuperate. Sandys was the father of Duncan Sandys, a Conservative cabinet minister who was later made the Lord Duncan-Sandys, and also the grandfather of Laura Sandys, who was elected to Parliament for South Thanet in 2010.

Captain George John Sandys, MP

Captain Reginald Benett Graves-Knyfton was a member of the Territorial Army and was Captain of E Company of 1/4th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, known as the “Weston Rifles” because they recruited in Weston-Super-Mare. When British Army officers were making themselves available to assist with the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force the Somerset Light Infantry was one of the most solidly pro-Ulster regiments. His wife Edith was also active. She joined the British Red Cross and became Vice-President of the Weston-Super-Mare District. Reginald and Edith lived at Uphill Manor and were pillars of the local community. In December 1913 they had helped the people of Westbury to build a village hall for their community.

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Captain Reginald Benett Graves-Knyfton

Uphill Castle

The two pictures above are from the web site “Somerset Remembers” at http://somersetremembers.com

When War broke out Edith mobilised a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) and set up a hospital at Ashcombe House to care for wounded soldiers returned from the Front. Government assistance for the hospital was quite modest, so Edith organised local fundraising, with local people donating both cash and useful items. In November 1917 she

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was awarded the Order of the Royal Red Cross, and in June 1918 was at Buckingham Palace to receive the OBE from King George V.

Reginald, meanwhile, was sent with his battalion to Mesopotamia and, in March 1916, was shot through the ribs while taking part in the desperate, though unsuccessful, attempts to relieve the besieged British garrison at Kut-al-Amara. He was evacuated to hospital in India and then sent back to Britain. He was later sent back out to India, but caught pneumonia and died on 29th October 1918 at the age of 45. He is buried in Trimulgherry Cantonment Cemetery. Edith died in 1964.

The funeral of Major Graves-Knyfton

Ashcombe House Hospital

The two pictures above are from the web site “Somerset Remembers” at http://somersetremembers.com

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Another lodge mentioned in the April 1914 Orange Standard was, again, Ulster Scot LOL 287, which was reported as having initiated “five Naval men”.

In the edition of May 1914 there is a lodge report from Royal Naval Lodge No 577, which was as follows, -

Royal Naval Lodge, 577 Bro. S. Martin presided over the monthly meeting held at St. John's Schools, Portsea. There was a fair attendance, owing to the ships being absent from port. Delegates were appointed to serve on the committee for the Belfast OrangeDemonstration. One candidate initiated. Business of importance dealt with.

The reference to “the ships being absent from port” suggests that Naval personnel played a major part in the activities of this lodge. This was also the case with Carnarvon LOL 827, which was the subject of the following report –

New Lodge at Malta On February 25th, at the Sailors and Soldiers' Institute, Marghritta Hill, Malta, Carnarvon L.O.L. 827 was opened for the first time by Bro. C. Monson. After the brethren were installed in their positions, it was decided to meet onthe first and second Wednesdays in the month, providing the Fleet was in Malta.The Grand Secretary and Devonport District Sec and officers were heartily thanked for their help and encouragement. The members of the lodge are determined to make the lodge a large and important one. Stoker Petty-officer Keown is the W.S.

Star of the East LOL 615, meeting in Singapore, sent in the following report –

SINGAPORE STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. Star in the Far East. L.O.L. 615 The usual meeting was held in the Chinese Christian Association Hall, Bro. J. G. Graves presiding. After Lodge business the meeting was raised to the Plain Purple Degree, three Brothers receiving their degree. The lodge was lowered, and one candidate initiated into the Orange. Eight candidates were proposed for next meeting. Arrangements are being made for a new lodge room in which to give the R.A.P. degree. Brethren passing through Singaporewill be heartily welcomed by Bro. Corp. Wm. Neil, ‘A Company’, 1st K. O. Y. L.I, Langlin Barracks, Singapore, S.S.

.The Secretary of this lodge being a Corporal in the KOYLI strongly suggests that Orange lodges in the Empire drew heavily on service personnel who were stationed there. Besides the Singapore lodge there are also several references to Star of the East LOL 802, which met in Hong Kong.

The June 1914 edition of the Orange Standard is dated 1st June and contains the following item –

THE GERMAN EMPEROR, writing Laudgrafin of Hesse, when she wasgulled into joining Romanism said: I hate the religion to which you have gone over." In Rev ii. 15, concerning the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, our Lord said, “which thing I hate".

This would seem to be a commendation of the Kaiser for taking a robustly anti-Papal stand. Orangemen at times before the War sometimes seemed quite favourable to the Kaiser. He

acknowledged a descent from the House of Orange and Bismarck’s Kulturkampf against the Church of Rome was well-received by the Orangemen. The statue of King William III in

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Kensington Gardens had been presented by the Kaiser in 1907, and the Kaiser was on friendly terms with the Unionist leader Colonel Edward Saunderson through their common love of yachting and attendance at Cowes Week. Some Unionists saw Wilhelm as a possible source of diplomatic support during the Home Rule Crisis. Within a few weeks of the appearance of the Orange Standard of 1st June 1914 the Kaiser was being reviled as a warmonger by every part of British society. Indeed, by the time the Orange Standard of 1st May 1915 came out, attitudes had changed so much that the following item appeared in that issue, -

The statue of William III, situate in Kensington Gardens was presented to this country by that arch-Jesuit, William of Germany. Is it not time that the said statue was removed? We as Orangemen, have, we are sure, no wish to be in any way connected with such a bloody wholesale murderer as Wilhelm II. True, he has only followed in the footsteps of his Jesuit teachers, but we think that Orangemen should make a petition for the removal of the statue on the principle that we hold no fellowship with women and child murderers.

The statue of King William III at Kensington Palace, presented to Britain by Kaiser Wilhelm II in 1907.(This picture is taken from the web site

http://www.hrp.org.uk/learninganddiscovery/caringforthepalaces/conservethis/lifeofgrime )

An even stranger item, which also appeared in the 1st June 1914 edition, was the following –

IS THIS TRUE?The Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, while the guest of King George recently at Windsor Castle (says the Freeman's Journal [of Sydney]), assisted at Mass daily with his suite, at the Castle. A Jesuit priest went there every morning to celebrate it. If this be true, it is the first time since the Reformation that Mass has been said in Windsor Castle.

Another of Franz Ferdinand’s foreign visits was to prove the occasion of even more trouble when, on 28th June that year he visited Sarajevo where he and his wife were killed by assassins, thus provoking the First World War. Within days of Orangemen reading the item above, in their Orange Standard, the Archduke would be slain and the world heading for War.

Also in the June edition was further news from Malta –

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CARNARVON, L.O.L. 827, MALTA At a special meeting held at the Soldiers’ and Sailors' Rest, Marghrettia Hill, Vittorosia, three candidates were admitted to the Orange Degree. Brethren passing through or visiting Malta will receive a hearty welcome. Lodge composed of Naval Men at present but soldiers and civilians can join. Address: T. G. Keown, St. PO. H.M.S. Defence, Mediterranean Fleet.

We see here evidence of the strength of the Orange Order in the Royal Navy. This lodge was composed entirely of “Naval men” at this time, but soldiers and civilians would have been welcome. In the June edition there is also a report from Star of the East LOL 802, in Hong Kong, where it is said that the meeting finished with the singing of Auld Lang Syne “for brothers going north with the fleet”.

The editions of July and August carry no mention of the growing crisis. An item in the August issue, headed “Servia submits to the threats of the Jesuits” is a reference to a communication issued by the Vatican on 21st May about the expansion of Roman Catholicism in Serbia, mostly among the Albanian minority.

The 1st September issue, which would have been compiled during August, is the first to note the war that had started since the last issue was compiled. The first page carried this item -

THE WAR“BE still and know that I am God," May the language of the Psalmist be our experience in the coming days!! The greatest war in the world's history is upon us and God alone knows what it may mean to each individual.

Many of our Brethren are at the front and many at sea; may they realise the presence of God and obey His Will! God grant they may be brought safely back to us!

If we realise God's greatness above all nations, and put our whole trust in Him, then we shall not fear "though the earth be removed." If God is for us, who can be against us?

As Orangemen, we are pledged to defend our King and Country and I am wondering how we at home can best put our principles into action. I am thinking at the moment of a special Orange Battalion. After consulting with the G.M., and D.G.M. I will inform you what we decide upon. Let me know what YOU think about this.

My wife is anxious that English Orangewomen and Protestant Ladies should knit and sew for our brave soldiers at the front. Stockings, Helmets, and Bandages are needed, who will help in this important URGENT effort?

In the October edition the columnist “Oculist” blamed the outbreak of war on the Papacy, alleging that the cause of the War was the ambition of the Roman Church, working through Austria-Hungary, to extend its influence in the Balkans, in particular against Serbia, a country that resisted Roman Catholicism. Another column claimed that the Kaiser was doing the bidding of the Pope, which signals a complete change in the assessment of the Kaiser from that expressed in the June edition.

The North Irish Horse was said to be composed almost entirely of Orangemen. One item said that, “We are sending special Pocket “Active Service" Gospels to the Soldiers and Sailors,

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published by the Scripture Gift Mission. In the little Book there is a special message from Lord Roberts, the Way of Life, explained by texts, 4 beautifully coloured pictures, and 4 hymns with music.” There was a “Manifesto” from the Imperial Grand Master, the Earle of Erne, exhorting Orangemen to enlist. A letter from Sir Edward Carson asked men to come forward and join the Ulster Division. There were flattering pen-portraits of Sir John French, General Joffre, the Grand Duke Nicholas, Admiral Jellicoe, and General Leman the defender of Liege.

The same issue contained an appeal from Sister Ewart, WM of LLOL 120 and wife of the Grand Secretary -

A WORD TO ORANCEWOMEN48 Park Road,Bearwood,Birmingham.Dear Sisters,I want you please to help me to make some special effort on behalf of our brave brothers who have gone out to fight for Right, Truth, Justiceand Freedom.Our Brethren and others serving the colours at home and abroad will be wanting socks, shirts, woollen helmets, mufflers and handkerchiefs, etc. The wounded will be wanting bandages. Will every Orangewoman and other Protestant women please do something? We have no fund wherewith to purchase material, but according to your means, try and supply as many of the above mentioned articles as you can and we will send them away in the name of Orange and Protestant Englishwomen.Kindly bring my appeal before the notice of your members at next Lodge.And oblige, Yours very sincerely,M. I. EWART.

The Grand Secretary himself made the following appeal, -

AS EVERY LOYALIST is doing his utmost at the present crisis, theGrand Secretary would be glad if every Lodge Secretary would send him any of the following particulars for publication in the Orange Standard. ?How many members of your Lodge have joined the Army, Navy, Territorials,Police, Special Constables, Red Cross, etc.?

This was probably the origin of the “Roll of Honour” which was included in the Grand Lodge Report for 1915. Meanwhile, the Reports from Lodges reported that lodges were excusing the payment of dues from all members who were on service.

The issue of 1st November 1914 carried an item “Our Gifts to the Soldiers and Sailors”, which said, -

Brethren will be glad to know that we are circulating the Bible at the front, in the Navy, and at home among the troops. We are supplying the wounded in hospitals and giving new recruits copies of John's Gospel and New Testaments.Many testimonies and thanks are sent to the Orange Institution for their gifts. I have just received a letter from Captain Duff, HMS Birmingham, thanking

us for a large parcel of Bibles, Testaments, Gospels, and "Orange Standards," sent to his men. We are very grateful to Bro. Rev. F. Cecil Lovely, B.A., Secretary of the

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Trinitarian Bible Society, for a free grant of several thousand Gospels and Testaments. Orangemen should pray that copies of the Word of God now given the men may be read by them, and blessed to their eternal good.LOUIS A. EWART, G.S., Editor.

HMS Birmingham was a light cruiser launched in 1913. On 9th August 1914 she sank the German submarine U-15, which was the first loss of a German submarine to an allied vessel. She took part in the Battle of the Heligoland Bight on 28th August 1914, the Battle of the Dogger Bank on 24th January 1915, and she was at the great Battle of Jutland in 1916. She survived the War but was sold for scrap in 1931.

Captain Duff was Arthur Alan Morison Duff, born on 19th April 1874, the son of General A G Duff. He eventually rose to the rank of Admiral, retired in 1930, and died on 5th April 1952. Rev F Cecil Lovely, BA, was Secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society. He was also an Orangeman, and was the subject of a “Biographical Sketch” in the Orange Standard of 1st June 1916, from which we learn that he took his degree at Oxford University in 1885 and was ordained by the Bishop of London. He served in churches in Cannonbury, Ramsgate and Bexley, and became Assistant Secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society, where he worked with Rev Dr E Bullinger. Bullinger was a fervent Orangeman who had the ministry of St Stephen’s Church in Walthamstow, London. Loyal Orange Lodge 481 met for many years at this church, and Bullinger was so influential a churchman that many clergymen joined the lodge. Rev Lovely became Deputy Master of 481 and Deputy District Chaplain of Westminster District Lodge no 84. On the death of Bullinger he became Secretary of the Trinitarian Bible Society.

Also in the 1st November edition, the following item gave an early indication of the numbers in which Orangemen from all over the Empire were coming forward to volunteer.

THE NINETIETH REGIMENT OF WINNIPEGhas a decidedly Orange flavour, and all the loyalty belonging to the Orange Order. Two hundred Orangemen of the regiment have gone to the war.

The 90th Winnipeg Rifles formed the 8th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. They arrived in Britain from Canada and thence went on to France, arriving on 13th February 1915. Three Victoria Crosses were to be won by the men of this proud battalion during some of the fiercest fighting on the Western Front. Their battle honours included Ypres; Festubert; Somme; Arras; Amiens; and the Pursuit to Mons.

The item mentioned above was supplemented by the following comment, -

ORANGEMEN’S LOYALTYAmong troops at the front the members of the great Orange Brotherhood of Canada will be conspicuous in number and in service. There will hardly be a lodge in Canada that will not have its representative with the colours. It is in such hours as these that the men who compose the Orange Association are seen as patriots and loyalists of whom the country has reason to be proud.

In the issue of 1st January 1915 there was this further reference to the loyalty of Canada’s Orangemen, -

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COLONEL BELCHER READY“I am ready to go to the front for my country," said Lieut.-Col. Belcher of Toronto. "I was one of the first to offer my services. If I can do nothing else I can cook at least. We are proud of the Empire, and as Orangemen we are going to do all in our power, to preserve it.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Belcher had been born in London in 1849 and served with the 9th Lancers. He emigrated to Canada where he joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1873, being a Charter Member, and helped to put down the North-West Rebellion. He also served in the Canadian Militia and was a Brigadier with the 5th Mounted Brigade. He served as second-in-command of Lord Strathcona’s Horse in the Boer War.

(The Declaration Paper of Robert Belcher, taken from the web site http://data2.archives.ca/cef/well2/232547a.gif )

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Belcher was OC of the 138th Battalion, CEF, which recruited in Edmonton in late 1915, and Belcher enlisted on 23rd November 1915, at the age of 66. The 138th Battalion sailed to England in August 1916 and Belcher went with them. One of Belcher’s sons, Captain Percy Belcher, was also in the battalion, and was to be killed on 30th October 1917 in the last stages

of the Third Battle of Ypres. Robert Belcher returned to Canada on 1st November and died at Calgary on 10th February 1919. He is buried in the Edmonton Cemetery. Shortly after his death a Veterans’ Hospital was opened in Calgary and named after Belcher. It is still in

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existence as the “Carewest Colonel Belcher” and more about it can be found on the website http://focbs.ca/Home.html .

(This picture was taken from the web site http://www.rcmpveteransvancouver.com/robert-belcher/ )

The Orange Standard of 1st March 1915 carried the following item, -

GENEROSITY OF INDIAN ORANGE LODGEOne of the most welcome subscriptions at the head office of the Canadian Red Cross Society recently was a cheque for $46 from the Indian Orange Lodge at Moraviantown. In his letter enclosing the money, ex-Chief Tobias says: "I leave it to you to send it to the society that will appreciate it most as coming from an Indian Orange Lodge and their friends.”

Frequent mention was made of Sam Hughes, a prominent Canadian Orangeman who was also Minister of War. In the January 1915 edition there was the following, -

Orange Minister of WarWe are pleased to know that Colonel Hughes (the Minister of War for Canada) who is going to the front is a member of the Canadian Grand Lodge.

The December 1914 issue carried evidence that the Canadian Orangemen’s loyalty had received grateful recognition at the highest levels, -

THE KING THANKS ORANGEMEN FOR LOYAL ASSURANCESMessage from His Majesty sent to the Grand Lodge and Transmitted by theGovernor-General.Sir,-I have it in command from His Royal Highness the Governor General to inform you that the message from the Loyal Orange Association of British North America, which you left with me on the 2'6th August last, was duly laid before the King. His Majesty was pleased to receive this message very graciously and to commandthat his thanks should be returned to the Association for the Assurances which it conveyed of their devotion to the Throne and their readiness to support His Majesty's forces by all means in their power. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,

(Signed), JOSEPH POPE,Under Secretary of State for External Affairs.H. B. Morphy, Esq., M.P.,

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Deputy Grand Master of the Loyal Orange Association of British North America, Listowel, Ont.

Also in the December issue the Orangemen of Australia were showing their loyalty -

Grand Orange Lodge of VictoriaBro. J. A. Baker, Grand Secretary, Melbourne, referring to the lamentable War in which we are engaged, informs us that a very large number of brethren have joined the Australian Expeditionary Force and will possibly land in England. It is quitepossible that many of our Australian brothers will visit some of our Lodges. Should they do so, or in any way come in contact with our members, Bro. Baker says they will take any attention shown to them as a compliment to their Grand Lodge and shall appreciate same accordingly.We can assure Bro. Baker that all in our power will be done for our brethren when they land.

In the issue of August 1916 there was the following item about Brother Lieutenant R C Webb, who had made his mark with the Australian Imperial Force, -

Orangeman's' PromotionHearty congratulations to Bro. Lieut. R. C. Webb, late Secretary to our L.O.L. 802 and Treasurer to R.B.P. 801, Hong Kong. He left China about three years ago for Sydney and was soon promoted Lieutenant in the Imperial Australian Machine Gun Section. Bro. Webb was not long in Australia before he was elected Grand Lecturer to the Grand Black Chapter of N.S. Wales. At the outbreak of war he volunteered his services and took part in annexing the German Islands, etc., near Australia, afterwards taking part in the Dardanelles action and again in Egypt. He is now in France, and a recent letter informs us that he has received further promotion gaining his second star. Members of his old Lodge and Orangemen in the Homeland wish him God speed.

By this time the Orangemen of England had begun to enlist in large numbers, to the extent that their absence was felt by their lodges. The following report from a Birmingham Lodge referred to a brother having joined up, -

JOHN ROGERS MARTYR, L.O.L. 843 Held usual monthly meeting at Grosmont, All Saints Road, King’s Heath. In the absence of Bro. P. Robertson, W.M., Bro. L. A. Ewart presided, Bro. R. Garton occupied the deputy chair. Bro. P. N. Robertson was congratulated on his joining the 2nd Birmingham City Battalion and the Lodge wished him God speed. After a solemn and impressive charge by Bro. Ewart, speeches were delivered by Bro. Standeven, Chaplain, and Bro. E. Davies, W.D.S. Bro. Robertson briefly replied and said that he prayed that God would enable him to be a living witness for him wherever he was sent, at home or on the battlefield.

The “Birmingham Pals” were three battalions formed in September 1914 from the men of the city who came forward in answer to the first call for volunteers. They were formed by the Lord Mayor and a local committee. The 1st Birmingham City Battalion became the 14th

(Service) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, the 3rd Birmingham City Battalion became the 16th (Service) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, while the 2nd Birmingham City Battalion, the one which Brother Robertson joined, became the 15th

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(Service) Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Brother Philip Norman Robertson was subsequently to be included in the “Roll of Honour” in the 1915 Grand Lodge Report.

Initially, all three battalions formed part of the 95th Brigade of the 32nd Division, and all landed at Boulogne on 21st November 1915. In December 1915 all three battalions were transferred to the 5th Division, though to different brigades, the 15th Battalion becoming part of 14th Brigade. In January 1916 the 15th Battalion was moved to the 13th Brigade, where it was reunited with 14th Battalion. In November 1917 the 5th Division was sent to Italy to prop up the Italian Army after the disaster at the Battle of Caporetto. After helping to stabilise the situation in Italy the 5th Division returned to France to help block the German offensive of April 1918. On 6th October 1918 the 15th Battalion was disbanded and its men transferred either to 14th or the 16th Battalions.

Other lodge reports also made mention of their members were responding to the outbreak of war -

JOHN E. BINGHAM, L.O.L. 844Good attendance at usual monthly meeting. Bro. Rev. W Sykes presided. Bro. W. Creswiok, D.M. Scripture read Malachi 3. Another new Bro. received. Bro. W. A. Croft suggested travelling certificate for youngest member of Lodge who has joined City Battalion of Lord Kitchener’s Army. W.M. proposed that the young brother should be excused all dues during period of service. Young brother made a brief but gracious and aptly expressed response to the general expressions of goodwill.

BOOTLE PROVINCIAL LODGEHeld a special meeting on the 7th October for the purpose of electing a P. G. Secretary in place of Bro. McQuarrie who has been called to the war.

This is likely to have been Brother Hector McQuarrie of “Progress of Seaforth” LOL 817. He joined the 4th Battalion of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, where he was Private with the Service Number 012354. He had been Secretary of Bootle Province, who had to find a replacement.

WISE'S ROYAL ARCH PURPLE GUARDS LOL 781 Five members, Bros. Tinsley; Maples; Lauchlan; Parr and Ellis have gone to serve the colours and Lodge wishes them God speed and a safe return.J Bickerstaffe, W.S., Walton, Liverpool.

It would seem that none of these brethren are mentioned in the Roll of Honour.

BRISTOL DISTRICT LODGE On 26th ult. Bro. Ewart opened the new Bristol Dis't Lodge at Weston-Super-Mare, in the Primrose League Offices. Brethren were present from Cardiff, Bristol, and Weston. The G.S. installed the officers, and congratulated the brethren on the splendid progress they were making. Bro. Col. Browne was elected D.D.M. pro tern, during the absence of Bro. Col. Dr. A. J. Carey who is away with the R.A.M.C.

L.O.L. No Surrender 805Have sent members to the Lancashire Hussars, Yeomanry, Gordon Highlanders and Kitchener’s Army. 14

In the Roll of Honour of 1915 this lodge, which met in Haydock, has two members included. They are Brothers Wilfred Butler and William Speakman, both in the South Lancashire Regiment. A Private William Speakman of the 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment was killed on 26th May 1918. His Service Number was 17121and he is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial. This memorial has the names of 3,876 servicemen who died in this area and have no known grave. Private/Brother Speakman would have died in the Third Battle of the Aisne, which was one of the German army’s great efforts to finish the War before the Americans could deploy in large numbers.

LIVERPOOL HEROES, L.O.L. 374Monthly meeting at the Orange Hall, Beresford Rd, Liverpool.Bro. J. Newton, W.M., in the chair, Bro. W. Miney in the vice-chair. Bro. T. H. Smith read the opening prayer and a portion of scripture. Minutes of the previous meeting read and passed. The transfer certificate of Bro. W. Smith was granted to L.O.L. 770. A letter was read from Bro. R. Harrison, D.M., who has joined the Inniskilling Fusiliers this making 6 members of the lodge who have joined the Army.

In the Roll of Honour of 1915 this lodge has the following members shown – J. Middleton of the 11th (Service) Battalion of the King’s Regiment; S. Trenshaw of the 12th Battalion, King’s Regiment; R. Prophet of the South Lancashire Regiment; R. Harrison of the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; W. Miney of the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; T. Day of the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; W Burgess of the Royal Field Artillery; J. Hughes of the Royal Field Artillery; J. Goldstone of the Royal Field Artillery; J. Kerr of the 1st West Lancashire; T. Frost of the 3rd West Lancashire Field Artillery.

It will be seen from the Lodge Report that Brother R Harrison was Deputy Master of the Lodge. Brother W. Miney, who occupied the Vice-Chair for the meeting described, joined the same Battalion. Both men, and Brother T. Day, joined the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers which recruited mainly in County Tyrone. These brethren may have had family connections with Tyrone, but it is evident that English and Scottish Orangemen joined regiments that would comprise the 36th Ulster Division because they wanted to fight as an Orange unit.

The War became a subject for discussion even at meetings of the Ladies’ Lodges -

SAUNDERSON MEMORIAL 93, LADIES LODGE Held their usual monthly meeting in the Oddfellows Hall, Ker Street, Devonport. Chair taken by the W.M. Sister Shobrook, vice-chair Sister Musgrove. Minutes being read by Sister Long were accepted. Several of the members’ husbands and sweethearts are at the front. Comments were made on this terrible European war. Deepest sympathy being shown by all. Meeting brought to a close in usual way.

The Orange brethren serving in the Royal Navy were pitched into action as soon as war began. Carnarvon LOL 827, about which there had been such encouraging reports earlier in

the year, had its work profoundly disrupted, as is shown by the following letter in the 1st December issue, -

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From a Bro. holding an important position on H.M.S. in the MediterraneanDEAR SIR KT. AND Bro.,"It is with pleasure and with a certain amount of reserve that I am sending these lines to you. First I wish to state that L.O.L. 827 has had to close its doors when everything was becoming so bright. Merry and strong right in the midst of our enemies at Malta. Secondly, that owing to the movements of H.M.S. … theWarrant has been placed in my hands for safe keeping. Every arrangement has been made regarding its disposal should this ship be liable to capture or sunk. But I trust to our Creator that we shall all be spared after doing our duty to King and Country, to return once more with the honours of this war thick upon us. Well, I have finished business and I should like to thank you for the words of wisdom and learning which can be taken from the "Orange Standard." Nationalist Home Rulers cannot deny that they are traitors. During the time I was in Kingstown, Dublin, the Boer War was in progress and others with myself were hooted in High Street, Black Rock, and, as you know, it is not an isolated case by many. I am so sorry the people of England will not wake up. Oh that they may be put somewhere where they could yell, (not see) the effects of Popery. In Malta and other countriesround about it is too awful for words. I take no notice of the perpetual bell ringing and Idol worshippers, but it is the lack of education amongst the lower classes that strike me most. I pray God that the day is not far distant when it may please Him to open their eyes. In Castellamare near Naples I went into one of the Churches andsaw an Altar worth its thousands, and around it were placed in a high position about so plush covered heavy gilded chairs for the mighty, but not even a form for the masses, they had to be content with the bare stone floor. In Malta, I should say, at a rough estimate there must be one priest for every 10 persons. Well, dear Bro. I trust this war will end by showing to the German people that war is not always won by wearing uniforms and brass helmets. I cannot tell you what we are doing or where we are, as it is not allowed, but all the Bros. are well and happy. I trust you will be long spared to lake the great leadership in the most noble Order in the worldand that we shall multiply six-fold before the time again arrives for us to save Ulster for a one and undivided Nation. If anything happens to me you will know where the Warrant has gone."

Reports of casualties began to be received. The sinking of the Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy on 22nd September 1914 was noted as follows, -

I HEAR WE HAVE LOST HEAVILYby the sinking of the three Cruisers, some 150 members are reported to have gone down with them, but I have no official news yet. God grant that the report is not true.

Another report, from LOL 652 in Gillingham, suggested that the news was indeed bad -

SONS OF WILLIAM, L.O L. 652Although 159 out 177 members have gone to the front, the W.S.Bro. H. Griffiths still takes 3 dozen Magazines."I fear seven of our brothers, dear good fellows, have gone down with those three ships," says Bro. Griffiths.

It is worth noting that this lodge had a membership of 177, out of whom 159 were now on active service.

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German U-Boats claimed another victim on 31st October 1914 when the ancient protected cruiser HMS Hermes was sunk in the Channel. It was with evident relief that a popular Orangeman had been saved, although 44 lives were lost.

Brother Greenhalgh, survivor of H.M.S. HermesIt will be good news to all brethren to know that Bro. Greenhalgh of LO.L. 717 is a survivor of the late H.M.S. Hermes, sunk in the Straits of Dover. Many of the brethren recently saw him and he says that whilst swimming to the boat he received a nasty blow from a chair, on the top of his nose. He arrived home on Nov. 8th and was off again to Chatham on the l0th. We congratulate our Bro on his fortunate escape.Protestant Sunday was celebrated by L.O. L. 717 at Latimer Hall, Holme Road, London. E. and the preacher returned thanks and praise to God for his protection, goodness, and keeping power towards Bro. Greenhalgh. Several other members of this Lodge are also serving the colours.

Royal William LOL 717 met at Latimer Hall, Holme Road, East Ham in London. In the 1915 Roll of Honour Brother H S Greenhagh (sic) is shown as serving on HMS Walaroo. This may have been his posting after the Hermes was sunk. Walaroo was a Pearl-class cruiser launched in 1890. She was used as a guard ship at Chatham.

Other brethren of LOL 717 named in the Roll of Honour were W. Patton of the Royal Field Artillery; V. A. Dewar on “His Majesty’s warships”; A. J. Charlton of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; and A. W. Nicholls of the Home Defence Corps.

A further reference to the loss of HMS Hermes was made in the following report, -

SONS OF WILLIAM. L.O.L. 652Are having great difficulty in keeping the lodge together owing to 160 members taking part in the war and the 9 brethren at home working late and on night work. The energetic Secretary, Bro. H. Griffiths, is keeping up a correspondence with the dear boys in the fleet and at the front. All the brethren appear to be keeping well and anxious to meet the enemy. Bros. Goodwin and Brown were on the "Hermes" when she was lost, and were fortunate enough to be saved. Both brothers are aboard in the North Sea again. The Secretary regrets to say, that, up to the present, about 17 have been killed. Bro. Leaky of the Royal Engineers, who was introduced to the lodge with other brethren by Bro. Ewart, and was anxious for a Lodge in his regiment, was killed in action. The widows and children of those who are lost are all being provided for and will want for nothing. Bro, Griffiths writes-"I can assure you dear Bro. Ewart that the 1oss of so many of my dear boys has been a terrible blow to me, but they have given their lives in the cause of righteousness and justice and I trust to meet them in the Grand Lodge above." (We deeply sympathise with our Bro in this severe hour of trial. Ed. O.S.)

Brother Leaky may have been the Brother J Leahy mentioned in the 1915 Roll of Honour.

Orangemen in the Royal Navy were also taking part in successful engagements. In the issue of January 1915 there is the following reference to the sinking of the German raider SMS Emden, -

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Orangemen destroy the EmdenBrethren will be pleased to know that H.M.S. Sydney which sunk the German Cruiser Emden, the terror of British shipping in the Pacific, had several Brethren

aboard; and as they were members of Singapore Lodge, they were consequently members of the English Institution. We heartily congratulate our Brethren.

The following month there appeared the following letter from a brother Orangeman on board HMAS Sydney, -

From the Emden's destroyerH.M.A.S. "Sydney,” Malta,December 2, 1914.DEAR BROTHER,I now take pleasure in answering your kind and welcome letter. . I and brethren on board here send our warmest thanks for congratulations from yourself and brethren of 615 and 735. 1was very pleased we had the honour of victory over the Emden, and we did it in good style, too. We escaped with very light losses, having only four killed and 15 wounded.I suppose you knew I was here through the good “old order." . . . We are going on to Gibraltar now I believe, to have some repairs done as we got slightly damaged by some of the Emden's shells and our machinery wants a little overhaul. We brought all the German prisoners, with Captain Muller and the Prince, to Colombo and landed them there safely. . .I can't tell you where we shall be off to when we leave here, but we might be after the Karlsruhe, she is a sister ship to Emden, and doing a lot of damage to our merchant shipping, I believe. I have had no news from Belfast this long time. I began to think my "Old People" had been all shot by the Nationalists when things got so hot on the Home Rule question some time ago (ha! ha I), but I am sure they are all right. They will never conquer the Protestants of Ulster as we are made of too good stuff for them. We will always follow in the good old steps of our forefathers at Enniskillen and the Boyne, and they know it. . . .I remain, yours faithfully, THOMAS HALES, E. R. A.

The Battle of Coronel on 1st November 1914 saw more Orange Naval casualties. In the issue of January 1915 Brother Francis Miller, Honorary Deputy Grand Master of the Devonport District wrote in with the following request, -

Devonport's DistressBRO. FRANCIS MILLER, H.D.G.M. writes:-"I am endeavouring to get the names of all our Brethren serving in the various ships, so that they all may have one of your Testaments or Gospels, which are very nice and will go a long way to stimulate our Brothers' actions. Some may be a bit rough, but when our principles are at stake we find them boldly standing by their obligations. With you I wish them God speed and a safe return. The loss of H.M.S. Monmouth has hit these towns very hard, as nearly all the crew were residents. Quite twenty widows in one street, and in every street from five upwards.

HMS Monmouth and HMS Good Hope were two armoured cruisers which were sunk by a German squadron at Coronel. As details of the casualties became known Orange losses were identified. In the February 1915 issue there were the following lodge reports, -

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GARSTON TRUE BLUES, L. O. L. 64'l'he brethren are experiencing great difficulty with Orange work owing to the large number of brothers, serving the colours. Bro. Nicholson, W.S., informs us that Bro. S. W. Airey lost his life in H.M.S. Monmouth, and Bro. Lewthwaite is a prisoner in Germany.

This is Bro T Lewthwaite who was serving with the South Lancashire Regiment.

STAR OF KIRKDALE, L.O.L. 79The above lodge was opened in the usual way. Bro R. Edwards, W.M., in the chair assisted by Bro. S. Barlow in the deputy chair. Bro. Lloyd, Chaplain, read a portion of scripture. Bro. H. Kirby, Sec., read the minutes of the previous meeting which were carried. A vote of condolence was moved, the members standing in silence for the late Bro. H. Edwards who lost his life on H.M.S. Monmouth. Bro. R. Edwards was the son of the W.M.Decided that the warrant be draped in crape for 12 months.

There may be a confusion of initials here. The CWGC have Stoker 1st Class Richard James Edwards, SS/110266 commemorated on the Plymouth War Memorial. He died at the Battle of Coronel while serving on HMS Monmouth and was 23 years old. He was the son of Richard and Eliza Ann Edwards of 185 Walton Village, Liverpool.

There was 18-year old Stanley Edwards who went down with the Monmouth, but he was from Plymouth. There were three sailors named Edwards who went down at the Battle of Coronel on board HMS Good Hope, but none have an obvious connection to Liverpool.

Lodge reports also began to mention casualties, either members or relatives, -

JOHN E. BINGHAM, L.O L. 844 met Nov. 7th at 3 p.m. by special arrangement, so as to meet Brethren of District Lodge. Chaplain read Joshua I. Minutes of previous meeting unanimously confirmed. Message from Bro. Sir John E. Bingham regretting that military duties at Doncaster prevented his presence. Brethren present in good numbers. Four Brethren received Purple degree. Vote of sympathy passed with two brethren who have suffered bereavement through war.

A letter from the Grand Lodge of Scotland showed how the brethren from various countries were drawing together –

Grand Lodge of Scotland's AppealNov. 12th, 1914DEAR SIR AND BRO.,At the meeting of our Grand Lodge Committee held on Saturday last, attention was drawn to that fact that numbers of our brethren from England and Ireland, were in our Glasgow Hospitals returned from the war wounded, and a desire was expressed that our brethren here might visit them, and try to comfort andencourage them as much as possible. Can you help us in the matter? Can you give

us the names of any English Orangemen who have returned wounded from the Front who may be in any of the Hospitals in or near Glasgow at the present time? Our brethren are anxious to do what they can for them.Thanking you in anticipation,Yours fraternally,James Rice,Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of Scotland, 19

342, Cathedral Street, Glasgow.English Orangemen please note, send names direct to Bro. James Rice, and do your duty to Scotch Brethren in our HospitalsLOUIS A. EWART, G S.

The Orange Standard began to include letters from members serving at the front. The 1st December issue included the following, -

Message from a Brother in the Trenches, 500 yds. from the EnemyOct. 8th, 1914. "You will be glad to know that myself and all the boys are as yet unhurt. Thank God, but we have had a very rough time of it up to the present. We have not had our clothes off since we left England. I changed my shirt for the first time yesterday. We sleep in the open and have not as yet slept in a house. I have been in six engagements altogether and come out evenwithout a scratch. For the first month we were marching almost continually. The heat and thirst was almost unbearable but now the weather has cooleddown, but the nights are awfully cold and frosty. We have lost a lot of our officers, but Lord John Hamilton is not even wounded; you might haveseen the report of his death in the papers. We are under continual shell fire and the enemy is only 500 yards from our trenches, so we are very much troubled by their sharp-shooters. A poor fellow who joined us on Sunday last was sent to pick up empty tins in the line when he was shot dead. While I was standing at the mouth of a cave, a shell burst at my feet andone of its pellets killed a poor chap inside the cave, and the three men on my immediate left were wounded, (one has since died,) so you see I have had some narrow escapes but come off always unhurt. Thank God! I have indeed a lot to thank the Almighty for. I am suffering from a sprained wrist and am writing this on my rifle butt. We sleep in the trenches every second night but altogether we have nothing to grumble too. France is a ruined Country. It will take millions to put it in proper order again. All the ditches are torn down for trenches, and all the roads are torn up by the heavy cannons. All the houses are raised to the ground and looted; in fact, everything is ruinedout here. Kindly remember me to all the brothers. The boys send their best regards. Henry wishes to join your Lodge if God spares him to get back to London. I hope to be able to add a few good members. So fierce is the shell-fire that we had to make four attempts to bury the dead and had to complete the task at night. No clergyman is allowed near the fighting line as it is so dangerous."

Another item in that issue was the following, -

Brother Sales promoted Corporal, sends a letter from the firing line"I never was in better condition in my life. Have only had one little illness and that was a swollen ankle, blood poisoned, but three days rest and hot bathing cured it completely. There are few regiments here that have done any better work than ourselves, we have been in it right from the start and taking everything into consideration, we .have come through it alright. I have got a nice souvenir, German bugle, I picked it up after a big battle that we were engaged in; I don't know the name of the place but we captured some hundreds of Germans, and eleven guns, out of which our regiment took five

which was not bad work. I had a nice job the same night, as there were six of us left in charge of the wounded prisoners until the ambulance came for them next morning. We had to let some of them be among the dead as they were too badly wounded to move until the ambulance arrived - it was really worse than the fighting. I only hope they treat our wounded the same. We shared our own rations with them and left ourselves short. I think myself if the German private soldier has his way this war would not last long. One of them, who spoke English, 20

said they had had enough of it, in fact, they did not know they were fighting the English for several weeks after the commencement of the War. He was formerly a waiter at the Hotel Cecil. One day we were fighting and had been engaged for several hours when a party of Germans hoisted the white flag to surrender. When we left our cover to take them prisoners and got amongst them, another party of them opened fire on us and killed several of our chaps, but we managed to get over one hundred of them. Another man and myself got five of them between us and I can assure you we made them run quicker than ever they did. They did not know when we told them in English to run but they understood when we rattled our bayonets at them. I think the most trying thing in war is when you are under Artillery fire for the first time, but we are used to them now. The troops out here are in splendid condition and in the best of spirits and each one fit to beat three Germans any time. '

The Roll of Honour, in the Grand Lodge Report of 1915, had a Brother J Sales, a member of Luther LOL 233 meeting in Pimlico in London, and serving with the Irish Guards. We see from the article that Brother Sales had been promoted to Corporal. It would seem that he won further promotion, to Sergeant, because he is recorded as such by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Sergeant John Sales, 2261, was serving in the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards when he was killed on 18th May 1915. He was 27 years old and was the son of Mr and Mrs Sales of 18 March Street, and the husband of Dorothy Georgina Sales of 7J Lewis Dwellings, Chelsea, London. He is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

As a member of the 1st Battalion the Irish Guards, Brother Sales would have gone out to France with the BEF and fought in most of the battles from Mons until the Battle of Festubert. The date of his death suggests that he was killed at Festubert.

Details of the fighting often came back to Britain gradually, often by soldiers’ letters home. In the May 1915 issue there was the following, -

A Belfast Orangeman’s adventures at the FrontBro. Edward M'Cullough, Royal Irish Rifles, a reservist, whose home is at 8, Bellevue St., Belfast has just come out of a military hospital after an experience of five months at the front, during which he was wounded four times.Private M'Cullough, who is a very enthusiastic member of the Northcote Temperance L.O.L. 2004 (No. 8 District) rejoined the Rifles at Tidworth Camp, Salisbury Plain, last August, accompanied his battalion to France, was in the advance to Mons, and the retirement from that place. When the retirement from Mons was ordered he was talking to the late Lance-Corporal Robert Jamieson, a former Ballymena man, who was residing in Belfast when recalled to the colours, and discussing what "the boys!" were doing at home, and where they would spend next 12th of July. Scrambling out of the trenches they had so stubbornly held, the Rifles began their share of that rearguard action which will last to all time as one of the best feats of the British army.Within a few minutes of Jamieson speaking to Bro. M'Cullough the former was killed dead by a shrapnel shell and Bro. M'Cullough was wounded in the knee. In the retirement the latter lost his battalion, but joining in with the

Seaforth Highlanders, he served with that battalion in several actions, including the fierce struggle at Cambrai. Here again he lost his battalion, and as he was a trained mounted infantry soldier, M'Cullough attached himself to the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers, and was with them in several actions, including the battles of St. Quincey and Champaigne. In the latter action his horse was shot dead under him and he himself was very badly hurt by the fall, his head and cheek receiving severe injuries. After recovering from the effects of the latter hurts he was able to rejoin the Royal Irish Rifles, and served with them 21

till a shrapnel shell wounded him in the side and back during the resumption of the fighting on the Aisne, and he was invalided home. Bro. M’Cullough’s first outside visit after leaving hospital was to his Orange Lodge. "Brethren,” said Bro. M'Cullough, “I have no eloquence at my command, but I want to tell you straight from my heart that the heart of every Orange soldier on active service turns to his Orange lodge, and the most frequent topic in camp, on the march, and for that matter in action itself, was Ulster and Orangeism.”

The details given for Brother M’Cullough indicate that he was in 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles.

Lodge Reports in the Orange Standard began to include news of brethren returning home from the front, either wounded or on leave. In the May 1915 issue there was the following, -

THE TREVOR L.O.L, 368 Members held their monthly meeting at Nelson Hall, Liverpool on the 3rd inst. Bro. T. Moore W.M. occupied the chair assisted by Bro. D. Smith (vice - chair). Bro. J. Rawsthorne conducted the devotions. The minutes were read and confirmed. W.M. declared all offices vacant and Bro. Page D.D.M. and Bro. Rawsthorne, W.D.C. conducted the election which resulted as follows; Bro. T. Moore re-elected W. M. Bro J. Rhodes, D. M., Bro. A. Millar W.C., Bro. H. R. Barker re-elected W.T. and Bro. F. Nicholson, W.S. Bro. Kaye was thanked for his services. Bro. J. McGlynn related some of his experiences at the Battle of Mons. He was given a hearty welcome back to his lodge.

Brother James McGlynn was included in the Roll of Honour and was shown as being with the King’s Liverpool Regiment.

Also in the December 1914 issue was a letter from Brother T W Boston, who was shown on the 1915 Roll of Honour as a member of Albert LOL 175, Birmingham, which was also the Lodge to which Brother Ewart, Grand Secretary and Editor of the Orange Standard, belonged

Sapper T. Boston of L.O.L. 175(Grand Secretary's Lodge sends a note.)"I was very pleased to hear from you, also to receive the "Orange Magazine." It is nice to know how friends and Bros. think about one at a time like this. Pleased to say I am in the best of health and spirits. The welcome words of the Magazine and Testament are a splendid stimulant. I hope all the brothers arewell and I hope, please God, to be with them on some future occasion. May God be with us all till we meet once more."

The 1915 Roll of Honour showed Brother T W Boston, Albert LOL 175 (Birmingham), as serving with 1st Royal Engineers.

The December 1914 contains the simple statement -

Brother Lt. WiseWAS KILLED IN ACTION AT BELGIUM.

There is insufficient information to enable us to identify this Brother. Successive issues of the magazine tell a very moving story about one of the brethren of Pride of Poulton LOL 835,

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which met at Wallasey. The 1915 Roll of Honour shows Brother Harry Williams of LOL 835 as serving with 1st Battalion the Cheshire Regiment. He was a regular soldier and went out to France with the BEF. The issue of November 1914 carried the following lodge report, -

L.O.L. 835, PRIDE OF POULTONUsual monthly meeting on Monday 12th October. Good muster of members present. Twelve members away serving their King and Country. The W.M. Bro. Wm. Shakeshaft presided. The members were very sorry to hear of Bro. H. Williams who was fighting with the Allies at Mons in the 1st Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment and has not been heard of since, but is on the army list of missing. Please God he is only a prisoner and will return when the war is over. We must put our trust in Him as our only Mediator.

In the December 1914 issue it was recorded simply that –

L.O.L. 835, Pride of PoultonTen members of this Lodge are serving their King and Country

But it was also reported that the Lodge’s prayers for their missing Brother Williams had been answered, -

L.O.L. 835 PRIDE OF POULTON The usual monthly meeting was opened in the usual war by prayer, Bro. W. Shakeshaft, W.M. presiding, assisted by Bro. G. Allen in the vice-chair. A very good attendance of members, all of the R.A.P. Degree,which afforded an able opportunity for the Lecture to be gone through. Bro. W. Shakeshaft, W. M. and Bro. S. D. Hodge, W.S. went through the Royal Arch Purple Lecture. Bro. Private H. Williams was very badly wounded at the battle of Mons, and is a prisoner in Germany, having several serious sabre cuts. If any brother cares to write him, his address is-H. Williams,Lazarette III,Liebeck, North Germany.Our prayers have been answered by God saving the above brother's life.

The 1st Battalion of the Cheshires had fought a desperate rearguard action at Audregnies on 24th August, the day after the Battle of Mons. The Battalion held on as long as they could and retired when they were forced to. The order to withdraw did not reach some of the men, and they were eventually overwhelmed. Those who were not already dead were taken prisoner. In a bitter irony Private Horace Williams, 8900, never returned home. He died of illness on 4th December 1918, with the War having ended but he was too ill to travel and so died still in the POW camp. He is buried in Hamburg’s Ohlsdorf Cemetery.

Also in the December 1914 issue was a tribute to one of Britain’s most experienced and best-loved soldiers, Field-Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB,

OM, GCSI, GCIE, KStJ, VD, PC, but best known to his soldiers who adored him as “Bobs”. The following is the tribute that appeared in the “Orange Standard” -

“BOBS”"ONCE a soldier, always a soldier." is a saying abundantly justified by the life of Lord Roberts, which came to a dramatic and heroic end on Sat, Nov. 7th. Since it became evident that war against Germany was inevitable, two regrets

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seem to have borne heavily upon the great military veteran – that his country was not better prepared for the carrying on of a campaign the magnitude of which many of those around him failed to realise, and that advancing age prevented his taking part in it and setting an example to younger men who seemed reluctant torespond to the call of King and country. It is reported by one who has been closely associated with the veteran Field-Marshal that several times during the last few weeks he had exclaimed regretfully, "if only I were 30 or 40, or even 60 again '"

Instead of which he was 82, wonderfully active in mind and body for one of his years but yet too old to return to active service. Still, the call was too insistent and too loud to be altogether disregarded by the old soldier, and he resolved that at least he would get once more within the sound of the guns. In responding to this impulse he was no doubt actuated by a variety of motives, all of them patriotic. One of them, which we may feel sure will have been most warmly appreciated by our Indian troops, was to get into contact again with those who had been comrades in his more active days, and to convey to them his thanks and those of his King and country for the splendid proof of their loyalty in the midst of the greatest crisis the Empire has ever been called upon to face. Another was the desire to do something which would stand as an example to the youthof the nation. It was the act of a simple soldier; but circumstances have conspired to give it such a dramatic aspect that it can hardly fail to appeal to the popular imagination, and make his death as his life had been, an inspiration to his fellow-country men. When he was stricken down on arrival at the front he realised that his end had come, and that his heart's desire had been accomplished. He diedvirtually, if not actually, on the field of honour near many old friends of other days, and with consciousness that he at least had done his duty. It is not at all surprising to learn that many old-time soldiers sobbed when the news of his death reached thetrenches. He was a Christian, a gentleman and an Orangeman.