BRETHREN OF LODGE GREENOCK St. JOHN'S, No. 175
Lodge Greenock St. John’s No. 175 has traditions and standards unique to it, of which it is understandably and justifiably proud. Such traditions and standards do not just happen and somehow remain. They are the result of the vision, enthusiasm and hard work of the Founding Members and the determination of succeeding Members not to let these standards and traditions slip. That the vision, standards and traditions are as strong today as they were over 234 years ago are a testimony to the type of Member who has been attracted to and accepted by this Lodge since its formation on 1st February 1790 and who have not only propagated Scottish Freemasonry in Greenock but also worldwide. Some of these Brethren, including those early Masonic pioneers, unknown today, who in the name of Lodge Greenock St. John’s No. 175 spread Freemasonry at home and abroad and in so doing have played theirpart in maintaining and developing the standards and traditions which are still so evident today.
The first mention of Members of 175 and the foundation of Lodge Greenock St. John’s are contained in the minutes of Lodge Greenock Mount Stewart Kilwinning No. 113 when on 4th January 1790 the Master called a meeting to report some Members had withdrawn from the Lodge to form a new Lodge. It was agreed if they came back right away and acknowledged their default everything would be OK but if they did not do so they would be expelled.
At a meeting of Lodge No. 113 about four weeks later on 1st February 1790, the day the Lodge Charter was issued, a meeting of 113 was held at which it was announced that the new Lodge was to be called St. John's. At that meeting Brothers Charles Mollison and Peter Anderson were expelled for joining the new Lodge. This would not unduly worry them for Bro. Mollison was the Founding Master and Bro. Anderson who was to become the third Master in 1793 was the Founding Depute Master of this new Lodge.
The next mention of the new Lodge was nearly two years later on 5th December 1791 when Bros. Murray and McConnell were expelled for having joined the Greenock St. John's Lodge. On 9th December 1791, undeterred by this un-Masonic attitude and the expulsions, a Deputation from St. John's consisting of the RWM, WSW, Anderson (expelled on 1st February 1790) and Murray (expelled four days before on 5th December 1791) visited 113 and sought admission. After some considerable argument within the Lodge the Deputation was admitted. This was probably an exercise by the Founding Members to show they had arrived on the Masonic scene, they were a properly Constituted Lodge and more importantly they were not going to be pushed around or dictated to by anyone.
This steely determination was evident some years later towards the end of 1843 when three Scottish Masons, Bros James Frederick Bennett, Andrew Birrell and Robert McEwin all resident in Adelaide, South Australia made application for a Warrant of Constitution from the Grand Lodge of Scotland to form the first Scottish Lodge in the developing territory of South Australia.Being enthusiastic Scots they could not wait, and on 27th January 1844 without any word from Edinburgh, without a Warrant or Charter and without any kind of dispensation, a preliminary meeting attended by seven Master Masons was held in the houseof Robert McEwin in Hindley Street, Adelaide with Bro. Bennett as RWM.
Bro. McEwin in whose house the meeting was held was a Member of Greenock St. John's No. 175.
Now holding this meeting was quite brave and risky as there was already an English Constitution Lodge, The South Australia Lodge of Friendship No. 613 who claimed exclusive jurisdiction in this Territory. They held a meeting with the Scottish Brethren who were resolute in their determination to form a Scottish Constitution Lodge. This early determination of the Founding Members was evident in South Australia some 52 years later in the person of Bro. McEwin when he and his Scottish colleagues were confronted by the English Brethren. A compromise was reached whereby the Scottish Brethren would not confer any more Degrees until they received their Charter, which they did in due course and a Charter dated 5th August 1844 for The Adelaide Lodge No. 341 was received.
It is recorded the Petition for the Charter included St. John's in the title but this was missing when the Charter was received. One can probably guess the inclusion of St. John's would be at the instigation of Bro. McEwin. It is worth noting that although Bro. McEwin was the Founding WJW of the new Lodge he managed to get himself head of the Lodge Membership Roll as Member Number One. This Lodge still exists as Adelaide Lodge No. 2 under the Grand Lodge of South Australia and its Scottish roots and traditions started by Bro. McEwin of 175 and the other Brethren remain a constant source of pride to its Members today. Indeed some of the Office Bearers Jewels used in the Lodge are unique to Australia being or being based on the originalScottish Jewels. Unfortunately the early Scottish minute books were destroyed in a fire many years ago and there is norecord of any further progress Bro. McEwin may have made within the Lodge. Who was Robert McEwin and what was his employment?
Early shipping records show that on 18 May 1844, the year the Lodge was Founded, a schooner called "Victoria" sailing from Port Lincoln and Thistle Island arrived in Adelaide. One of the crew was a Mr. McEuen. The Captain was a J.F. Bennett. Remember, the first Master of the Lodge was James Frederick Bennett. It appears McEuen and Bennett sailed on the same ship, perhaps as fellow officers or joint owners. As a matter of interest, located 190km west of Adelaide is a tiny settlement called Port Victoria, named after the schooner "Victoria" which took the surveyor James Hughes on a mapping expedition along the coast in 1839. The town, now a quiet holiday resort, was one of the key "windjammer ports" of the 19th century. Unfortunately efforts to locate crew details have failed but this Brother Robert McEuen was likely involved in this venture. In June 1846 two years after the Charter was granted the schooner Victoria foundered and sank off the South Australian coast with the loss of two lives. The names are not recorded. It has been established that Bro. McEuen's full name was Robert Andrew McEuen and he had been born in Port Glasgow in 1815. Here is something for a Brother of the Lodge to pursue.
We now go to the inhospitable developing North Western Territories of Canada in what is now Saskatchewan. At a place called Wascana Creek, literally a creek or small river, sprung up a tent town called Pile O' Bones. To maintain some semblance of law and order an outpost of the North West Mounted Police was opened. In 1822 the railhead reached Pile O' Bones which was then renamed Regina, the Queen City of the plains and the following year Regina became the HQ of the NWMP. The opening of the railhead brought with it a new impetus to Regina and the formation of a Masonic Lodge, Wascana Creek Lodge. The Lodge membership comprised officers of the NWMP and civilians. In due time it was determined another Lodge should be founded drawing its Membership from serving officers only. On 24th August 1894 fourteen Brethren appended their names to the Petition thus becoming the Charter Members. Of the fourteen two are of special interest to the Brethren of 175.
The Petition shows a Bro. J. Ritchie of Lodge Greenock St. John's No. 175, Greenock, Scotland and a Bro. E.A. Faulds of Wascana Creek Lodge, No. 23, Regina whom it was ascertained was also a Member of Lodge Greenock St. John's No. 175. At a meeting held the following month on 26th September 1894 the Officers for the new Lodge were elected and subsequently installed a week later on 1st October 1894. Bro. J. Ritchie of Lodge No. 175 was the Founding Secretary and Bro. E.A. Faulds also of Lodge 175 was the Founding Tyler.
The Lodge was chartered as NWMP Lodge No 61 on the Grand Register of Manitoba, becoming NWMP Lodge No. 11 under the new Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan in 1906. Perhaps these two Greenock Brethren felt at home in the frozen wastes of Northern Canada. The Founding Secretary Bro. James Ritchie joined the NWMP in Winnipeg on 4th September 1891, Service No. 2734. He rose through the ranks being commissioned as an Inspector in 1904, promoted to Superintendent in 1920 and retired in 1930. The Founding Tyler Bro. Edward Arthur Faulds joined the NWMP at Calgary on 5th May 1891, Service No. 2664. He was promoted to Corporal two years later in 1893 and after serving in Regina, Calgary and other outposts purchased his discharge in 1895. There is no further record of him.
Some 25 years later in the warmer climes of Singapore, on 2nd May 1918 Lodge Ailsa No. 1172 Scottish Constitution was Chartered. Many Scots including Freemasons from the Greenock area had gone to Singapore to work in the shipyards and neighbouring sugar plantations. Needless to say Members of 175 were there and it is recorded two of our Members, Bros Neil McPhail from Kuala Lumpur and Duncan McLean from Singapore, are both Charter Members of Lodge Ailsa. (And to maintain a local interest we can add a Bro. J. Boyle of No. 68 and Bro. Alexander Gray McDougall of No. XII, the Founding SD to the list of Charter Members.) None of these Brethren attained the Chair of Lodge Ailsa, which as a matter of interest has since its beginnings worked the McBride Ritual and is the only overseas Lodge to do so.
To these overseas Masonic pioneers of 175 are added some home based stalwarts such as Bro. Baillie Dugald Mcinnes, a local vintner and spirit merchant who had two shops, one in Rue End Street and the other in Arthur Street plus a store in Charing Cross. Bro. McInnes was born in Glasgow where he was apprenticed to the saddlery trade. In the 1850's while still a very young man he emigrated to Australia. Shortly after he arrived gold was discovered and Bro. McInnes headed to the Australian Goldfields to seek his fortune. During a disruption in the mining camp Bro. McInnes was arrested and imprisoned. It did not take the local police long to learn they had made a mistake and that he had no part in the particular incident. After his release from wrongful imprisonment he decided he had enough of Australia and came home to Glasgow where after about a year he moved to Greenock in 1861, established his licensed business, and eventually joined this Lodge. He was RWM for five years from 1887 until 1891. He was a Member of Greenock Royal Arch Chapter No. 17, a Provincial Grand Lodge Office Bearer and a Member of Grand Lodge. During his term as Master 470 Candidates were Raised to the Degree of Master Mason.
On moving to Greenock he not only became active in Freemasonry but in the political and sporting fabric of the community. In 1882 he was elected to the Town Council. He was a Harbour Trustee, Burgh Treasurer and Dean of Guild. In recognition of his devoted service he was appointed a Baillie or Magistrate of the town. Such was his popularity within his constituency he was accorded the affectionate nickname, "The Provost of Cartsdyke". He also took a keen and active interest in bowling, yachting, rowing and football. At different times he was President, McInnes was prominent and active in a committee formed to fund and generally promote the interests of the Worthies. In 1870 the club was challenged to a race on the Thames with one of the top English rowing clubs by way of a wager, the winner getting £100 from the loser, a considerable sum in these days. Bro. Mclnnes accompanied the rowers to London and they came back £100 richer. It is worth quoting the words of a Greenock historian who knew Bro. Mclnnes personally. "I am constrained to mention here specially Mr. Dugald Mclnnes (well known as the Provost of Cartsdyke), because he was perhaps the kindest and biggest hearted man I ever met. I knew him intimately. Just as he generously aided the Cartsdyke Worthies, so did he cordially assist any scheme for the innocent or healthy recreation of the people or the improvement of their social or economic condition; and I have reason to believe that his private benefactions amounted to a large sum annually. Whether as Town Councillor, Treasurer, Dean of Guild or Magistrate, he always took a broad view of matters calling for his consideration, and he contributed greatly to the welfare of Greenock during his period of municipal service”.
The extraordinary respect by which he was held by all sections of the community was amply demonstrated by the great concourseof mourners who sorrowfully followed to his last resting place, "the different times Convener of the Gas Trust and the Cleansing Committee. He was a member of the Grosvenor Bowling Club, Greenock Yacht Club and Charing Cross Rowing Club.
Cartsdyke at that time had a very successful rowing club called the "Cartsdyke Worthies". "Bro. loving husband's dear remains,the tender father and the gen'rous friend." Brethren, it is sad and ironic that such a man, such a supporter of the community should have had so much tragedy in his life. One son and one daughter died in infancy when each was aged about one year. Another son, named Dugald, drowned in a swimming accident on Loch Eck on 31st July 1889 where the family were on holiday.
This was one month after the young man's 21st birthday. Such was the esteem in which he was held in this Lodge a "Portrait Committee" was formed and their labours resulted in the commissioning in 1892 of the fine oil portrait now on display in the South West of the Temple. The following year his wife was presented with a replica of the portrait. On the occasion of our centenary celebrations and following the dinner a procession of about 200 Brethren, led by the Artillery Volunteer Band paraded to Bro. McInnes's house in Cathcart Square where they gathered and sang "For He's A Jolly Good Fellow." Bro. Mclnnes died on 10th February 1908 aged 72 after a protracted illness. His funeral, organised by the Lodge, was conducted with full Masonic honours.
Following RWM Bro. Mclnnes into the Chair of the Lodge, was Bro. William Cairney, RWM from 1892 to 1893 who owned a shop in Hamilton Street described as a Clothier and Masonic Costumier to Lodge Greenock St. John's No. 175, Cumberland Kilwinning No. 217, Lodge Montgomerie Kilwinning Skelmorlie No. 624 and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West. Masonic aprons could be supplied from 15/- (i.e; 75 pence today) upwards. Bro. Cairney was born in Greenock and was Initiated in 1873. He was member of Greenock RAC No. 17 and RAM and Cryptic Council in Caledonian Of Unity Chapter No. 73 in Glasgow. He was also an Honorary Member of Lodge Glasgow Kilwinning No. 4. He was a Provincial Grand Lodge Office Bearer in this Province and a Member of Grand Lodge. Bro. Cairney died on 5 November 1913.
Following Bro. Cairney was Bro. James Reid, born in Belfast and educated at the prestigious Queens College in that city. He came to Greenock in 1859 and joined the Company of Fleming and Reid in which his uncle was a partner and where he eventually became the senior partner. He was Initiated into the Lodge in 1860 and was RWM from 1895 to 1896. He was PGM Depute of this Province and a Member of Grand Lodge. He was most active in local affairs becoming MP for Greenock from 1900 - 1906, Deputy Lieutenant of Renfrewshire and a Captain in the local Artillery Volunteer Corps. He was also Chairman of Greenock Provident Bank and a Director of Greenock Royal Infirmary. He was an Elder in the old South Parish Church. He was RWM during the fund raising activities and Foundation Stone laying for this Temple. On his death on 29 June 1908 he bequeathed the sum of £250 (a considerable sum in these days) and his Masonic grandfather clock to the Lodge. The clock is still in the keeping of the Lodge and can be seen in the Candidate's preparation room.
Particular emphasis has been made on Brothers McInnes, Cairney and Reid because at the time of fund raising for this Temple, the Foundation Stone laying and the eventual construction they were the only three active Installed Masters in the Lodge and bore most of the organisation and responsibility.
Mention must also be made of Brother Colin Rae Brown of the Lodge who, although not reaching the Chair, has left his mark on history by way of the rich legacy of worldwide Burns Clubs.. Bro. Brown was born in 1821 and was President of Greenock Burns Club (The Mother Club) for the three years 1844, 1845 and 1847. He was involved in the founding of the London Burns Club in 1868 and was their President for a period of 12 years. Along with two other gentlemen he was instrumental in 1885 in forming what is now known as the World Burns Federation and in 1891 founded the magazine The Burns Chronicle. Bro. Brown composed a song with the title "A Hundred Years Ago" to the tune of "God Bless The Prince Of Wales" to commemorate the Lodge Centenary and to be sung at the celebration dinner on 14th February 1890. Perhaps at all Masonic Burns Suppers, particularly the excellent one held annually in this Lodge could dedicate a few seconds to the memory of Bro. Brown a giant amongst Burnsians.
Not only Bro. Brown but other Members of this Lodge have been very active in Burns circles and many have served as President of Greenock Burns Club ‘The Mother Club’ including John Herriott, Auctioneer, President in 1839, Lodge Treasurer from 1849 -57 and 1859 - 1868. He was also a First Principal in RAC No. 17 and the Commander of the Greenock Encampment of Knights Templar of No.20. His portrait hangs in the North West of the Temple.
Wm. Cameron, RWM and 1st Principal in RAC No. 17, President in 1883. In 1888 the President was James Auld PF, RWM 1884 - 1885. Wm. Bentley McMillan RWM was President 1916 - 1918. R.A. Clapperton Stewart PM, President 1926, John S. Thompson, President 1973 and more recently in 2005 Bro. Michael A. (Sandy) Reddy. These are only a few of many Brethren of 175 who have been active in the Mother Club and there have of course been many active in other Burns Clubs.
It would be remiss if we did not include another Brother who was most prominent in both the Lodge and the local community. Bro. William Bentley McMillan, CBE, RWM for six years from 1902 until 1907. He was born in Glasgow on 5th November 1871 and became manager of the family firm of advertising contractors and bill - posters based in Cathcart Street, Greenock. He was elected to Greenock Town Council in 1895, became a Magistrate in 1899 and was appointed Provost in 1909 which Office he filled with great dignity for ten years until 1919. Among the numerous Chairmanships he held at various times were the Hospital Board, the National Insurance Company, the National Service Committee and the Greenock Unionist Party. He was also associated with the Harbour Trust, the Clyde and Northern Lighthouses and the Clyde Pilots Authority. He was Chairman of Greenock Morton Football Club for 27 years and a President of the Scottish League. He sadly died while still ayoung man of 50 years on 1st June 1922, a great loss to both the Lodge and the Community. Brother Bentley's portrait hangs in the West of the Temple.
Mention must also be made of a Brother of the Lodge not many Brethren have heard of - an Italian, Brother Desiderio Ulysse, a rigger, born in Ancona, Italy and resident in Greenock for some considerable time while his ship was in Scott’s drydock for extensive repair. He joined the Lodge on 22nd March 1890 receiving his three degrees in the one evening. After joining the Lodge Bro. Ulysse informed his father who was apparently a prominent Freemason in his part of Italy of his Membership. His father was so proud and delighted he sent his son an oil painting of the Italian patriot, freedom fighter and Freemason General Guiseppe Garibaldi. Bro. Ulysse then gifted the painting to the Lodge and it still hangs on the North East wall of the Temple to this day. As a point of interest, Garibaldi was a very active Freemason. Around 1844 he joined a Lodge in Montevideo, Uruguay and on travelling to the USA he affiliated with a Lodge in Stapleton, New York. In 1860 he became Grand Master of the Grand Lodge at Palermo and later became Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Italy. Garibaldi Lodge No. 542 in New York City is named after him.
More recently such stalwarts as Bro. Alex McGuigan, RWM in 1960. Bro. William M.McKillop, RWM 1964/1965, Founding Master of The Anchor Lodge of Research, No. 1814, Provincial Grand Master for nine years from 1979 to 1988 and Past Substitute Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Bobby Rodger, RWM 1984/1985 a popular Mason and RWM who was sadly taken from us in a work related accident only days after completing his period as Immediate Past Master. There is also Bro. Alexander Galbraith, two periods as RWM, 1987-1989 and 1990-1991, Founding Depute Master & RWM of The Anchor Lodge of Research, No. 1814, Provincial Grand Master, Provincial Grand Lodge of Renfrewshire West 2003 - 2008. Substitute Grand Master in Grand Lodge of Scotland 2011 - 2013, Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow and West of Scotland of the Royal Order of Scotland, 2002 - 2012, Substitute Governor in Grand Lodge of the Royal Order of Scotland and a member of the Supreme Council for Scotland of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite since 2002 and Grand Secretary General since 2008.
It is also worthy of note that the enthusiasm for Freemasonry by the Brethren of the Lodge was evident when the Anchor Lodge of Research No. 1814 was Chartered in 1996. Just over 50% of the Founding Members of that Lodge were Members of 175.
It is hoped that this snapshot gives the reader a brief insight into the type of person who has propagated the name of Lodge Greenock St. John's No. 175 and Scottish Freemasonry both at home and abroad.