Cross Keys November 2017 (Freemasonry)

The Cross Keys November 2017

Number 204

The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No.242

Cross Keys November 2017

From the Editor It’s November and another edition of the Cross Keys with a military flavour. Masonry and the military have been forever connected and though military lodges being stationed abroad, freemasonry spread across the globe.

The Russian series of articles also continues as we remember those who have who have fallen.

The Cross Keys is a free magazine distributed across the many countries in order to spread the good (and sometimes not so good) qualities of the Craft. All views are of individual brothers and not any organised body.

Editor: Bro. N. Grant Macleod PM of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No. 242 PM of The Anchor Lodge of Research No.1814 Past Provincial Grand Secretary of the Province of Renfrewshire East.

In this issue: Orders after the Craft…………. 3 Russian Freemasonry 2………... 4 Masonic Memorial Garden…….6 3rd Light Dragoons……………. 7 RM in Suez……………………... 9 Bro. Lt. Col. Houston………….10 Maguncor Lodge……………… 11 242 War Memorial…………….12 Irish Masonry 1725……………13 Lady Haig Appeal……………. 14 VC Winners at UGLE………... 15 Masonic Mural………………...16 VC Winner …………………… 18

Proof Reader: Bro. Allan Stobo PM of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone No. 242 All Scottish Constitution.

November Meetings Friday 10th INSTALLATION 7pm prompt

Thursday 27th EA by OBs (2 candidates) 7.30pm start

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Orders after the Craft How many brethren have only completed three degree (including the Mark) and perhaps the Royal Arch (RA) degree and nothing else? Probably a lot.

We are taught to have a daily advancement in masonic knowledge so why does this not happen? Although reading the CK does contribute to this! Sadly today, some are choose to go no further at the RA stage unaware of the beauties and enlightenment that is beyond.

Many brethren see the RA as a stepping stone to other orders that stipulate they must be RA masons. Too many brethren know little about their three degrees and often join as they’ve been coerced!

They know they will rarely, if ever, return to a RA Chapter in the future. Many join and are disillusioned with an aged membership of just a handful of companions and are often hit with “would like an office?” before they adjusted their dress!!why is the RA in this situation?

Lack of real leadership is often cited when something is failing and its difficult to argue against that. Not being active in the RA, I cannot say, but has the RA adapted to new developments and does it reach its companions? Possibly not. This can been seen in some PGRACs which cannot fill offices. If they do, often its poorer quality companions thus starting the downward spiral.

This is a real shame as the RA contains two very interesting degrees, especially the Veils ceremony in Scotland. RA Masonry has much to offer, but it has to “re-package” itself. The days of the RA being linked to lodges and all brethren are expected to attend have gone. Traveling to other orders is easy and so brethren travel.

Many brethren over 40 join or have joined other orders and have reached an age to be active to them. They offer further insights into the whole masonic system which is esCross Keys November 2017

sential for any serious freemason. These include Templar themes, lessons from Constantine and the start of Christianity, Rosicrucian thought, development of the temple stories to touch the surface. They can be colourful, moving, full of history and enlightening.

Perhaps a re-think of the Scottish system as a whole is required—discussion of topics such as the frequency of meetings, the number of Orders existing in Scotland (are there too many with the reduced number of members today), defining the chronological order of degrees, etc.

That might well be an impossible task. Some orders doing exceptionally well are unlikely to compromise to support orders that are struggling to exist. Quite understandable.

Is there a solution? Very simply(!!!!!!), the leaders of the orders need to talk to their members and to each other. Can it be dome?

If they’re serious about leading and not a power trip then OF COURSE it is.

Finally, brethren should join some orders of masonry and learn from them especially some PMs who have ‘retired’ other than doing a wee bit of ritual now and again and have never been active in a non-progressive or administrative office.

So take that step or if you’re lucky enough to be invited into an order, accept it! The Craft is an amazing system developed over hundreds of years by many learned brethren— we are lucky to have it, so use it.

Russian Freemasonry 1750—1790s Continuing from last month, we move into the second and enlightened period of Russian freemasonry. Nothing really happens until 1771 when the first regular lodge is recorded in St. Petersburg under the Grand Lodge of England.

Perfect Union Lodge was numbered 414 and this was followed with a flurry of 8 more lodges in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Riga, etc and this is the start of a rather confusing period in its history.

Ivan Yelagin (various spellings), a high ranking Government official and Adviser to Catherine the Great, was made PGM by the London Grand Lodge in 1772 which followed the three degree system. At this point, two masonic systems have emerged, the other being Zinnendorff lodges of German origin with a much greater focus on additional degrees.

and also Grand Master in England. Yelagin had been in correspondence with Scotland: An application had been made to confer upon by his Excellency Senator Yelagin, Grand Master of Russia, a masonic mark of distinction. Whether or not this was followed through regarding information about ritual is not known.

However, in 1776 Yelagin, after many disputes, had managed to unite both systems into the Provincial Grand Lodge of Russia. Sadly things were not staightforward with Perfect Union Lodge who did not recognise Yelagin as PGM, but only as a brother. By the late 1780s, lodges were full of the Russian ruling classes and this success was a direct correlation with Russia westernising itself.

Shortly after the union, in 1779 Prince Gargarin accepted the role of Grand Master of the Swedish Order of Freemasons in Russia. This was followed by Neptune Lodge which worked effectively during Catherine’s reign and comprised many British members using 10°. This lodge now took most of its members from the Russian Naval Academy with all British members being Naval officers inlcuding their master Admiral Sir Samuel Greig, a Scot, who sat in the chair from 1781 to his death in 1788.

His system with 14 lodges tried to compete with a more dramatic and ‘colourful’ system with an inferior ritual. As a result, he went to London to seek the ‘real secrets’ from the lodge at King’s Arms (later The Lodge of Antiquity) which operated as a master’s lodge. This was also at the time the Ancients’ Grand Lodge had formed due to the deviation of the Grand Lodge of England ‘deviating’ from the original teachings.

One again, the Grand Lodge of Scotland (GLoS) had a link with this new lodge—John, 3rd Duke of Atholl was Grand Master Mason (Scotland)

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1784 is a strange year for Russian masonry— Yelagin closes all his lodge due to pressure from Catherine whereas as a result of an advert in the Edinburgh Evening Courant on 21st January, of that year, about 70 craftsmen with their families left for Russia to build palaces and other building for Catherine under the guidance of her Scottish architect, Charles Cameron.

This influx led to 32 brethren petitioning the GLoS and a charter dated 3rd May, 1784 for The Imperial Scottish Lodge of St. Petersburg No.207 “by order of the Empress of all the Russias to settle at the capitol of St. Petersburg.”

Russian Freemasonry 1750—1790s (ctd) Only five brethen are mentioned in the GL Registers: David Grubb (possibly master), John Simpson, Henry Gordon, Andrew Thomson and Peter Leishman.

The lodge was unique in Russia as it was composed of operatives rather than speculative or symbolic masons as the ‘normal’ Russian lodges. which had the intelligentsia and aristocrats. The Imperial title also implied the lodge received the blessing of Catherine which may explain why it lasted a further 10 years more than the Yelagin lodges.

According to GLoS records, this was the only Scottish lodge chartered in Russia and has never been revived.

This lodge worked until 1794 when Catherine closed all lodges after her concerns about secret socities and the French Revolution.

Her concerns were partly fuelled due to Count Cagliostro, a charlatan, who had the Egyptian Rite of Freemasonry which Catherine despised. Unfortunately she did not realise this had nothing to do with regular masonry and again another lesson from history to beware of unrecognised obediences.

Just prior to this in 1791-92, Catherine’s concerns over freemasonry extended to quizzing her son Grand Duke Paul about his membership. Although he denied this to her, numerous documents and books were found by the Secret Police which indicated he was a member. It now appears that he was initiated into the Craft by the Gustav III, King of Sweden in St. Petersburg in 1777.

Jubilee Certificate Congratulations to Bro. Jim Wilson on receiving his 50 Year Jubilee Certificate from the master Bro. Graham Scott. Bro. Jim is currently the lodge Standard Bearer and has been an office bearer for many years.

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The Masonic Memorial Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum was dedicated by Bro. Peter Lowndes (bottom) under the auspices of the PGL of Staffordshire. The memorial is to honour all freemasons who have given their life for our country. My thanks to Bros. Stweart Littlejohn of Lodge 524 and Jim Dunlop of Lodge 1557 for providing the super photos.

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3rd King’s Own Light Dragoons Lodges The formation of The Third King’s Own Light Dragoons was not unusual in itself, considering the hostilities which were taking place at the time of its formation. What was unusual, however, was that just over one hundred years after its formation, the Dragoons had no less that three Masonic Lodges, under two different constitutions, all operating at the same time!

It was the Monmouth rebellion of 1685 which led to the formation of the Queen Consort’s Regiment of Dragoons, and when William the Third landed at Torbay, the regiment immediately declared allegiance to him, and fought in his campaigns in Ireland and Flanders.

When the regiment arrived in Spain during the war of Spanish Succession (17021713), it fought in the battle of Almanga in 1706, where there were many British casualties. The name of the regiment was changed to the King’s Own Regiment of Dragoons in 1714. The newly renamed regiment was stationed in both Lancashire and Scotland during the Jacobite rebellion of 1715, and captured the Old Pretender’s Standard.

Following the rebellion, the regiment went through a prolonged period of inactivity, until it took part in the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, when the regiment captured a pair of silver Kettle Drums. They also fought at the battle of Fontcury in 1745, where their casualties were heavy. That same year they came home to help suppress the 1745 Jacobite rebellion which was led by Bonnie Prince Charlie.

During the Seven Years war, the regiment stayed at home, although several detachments were active in the coastal regions of France in 1758. A little later, the regiment became heavily engaged in anti-smuggling operations on behalf of the Customs and Excise.

The regiment remained on home duties for the duration of the American Civil War and

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the French Revolution, and in 1785, its first lodge, named The Royal Arch Union Lodge, and numbered 211, was formed, under The Grand Lodge of Scotland.

Their next adventure abroad came when they supplied 100 men for service in the West Indies. These men did not return home, however, but became the nucleus for a new regiment, the 26th Light Dragoons, which later became the 23rd.

The Regiment was active in the Napoleonic Wars, suffering heavy losses in 1809. In 1811, the Regiment went to Portugal, where it was active in Cindad Rodigo and Badajoy.

It also saw action at Salamanca, and at the retreat at Vitore, Pampalima and Toulouse.

At the time of the Battle of Waterloo, the regiment again found itself at home, but then landed at Ostend and took part in the occupation until 1818. On Xmas day of that year, their name was again changed, to The Third King’s Own Light Dragoons.

They then went to Ireland, where they were to remain for many years, supporting the Civil Authority. It was during this spell in Ireland that William Mitebell was initiated into the lodge, receiving his Grand Lodge certificate below on December 18th 1827.

3rd King’s Own Light Dragoons Lodges (ctd) In 1837 the Regiment was posted to India, and formed part of the army that went into Afghanistan, fighting its was through the Khyber Pass, eventually taking Kabul, where they managed to release many British prisoners who had earlier been taken captive.

They fought in the first Sikh War in 1845, and three years later in the second Sikh War. In 1853 the Regiment again returned to home soil.

The Regiment was soon to see action again, this time during the Crimean War. It returned to Ireland in 1857, where their name was changed yet again in 1861, to the Kings Own Hussars. Seven years later, the Regiment returned to India, and although these were relatively tranquil times, it suffered terribly from illness and disease at the notorious Inhow Station.

The regiment returned home, moving from garrison to garrison, until 1898, when it returned yet again to India. This however, was only for a short interval, as in December 1901 they travelled to South Africa to see action in the Boer War. After hostilities ended, they returned to India yet again, returning to South Africa for brief visits in 1907 and 1911. In 1958, the regiment amalgamated with The Queen, Own Hussars to become The Queen’s Own Hussars.

The Masonic history of the Regiment is extremely complicated. There were three Military Lodges attached to the Regiment, all of which appear to have worked simultaneously. Two had charters from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and the third from the Athol or Antients Grand Lodge of England.

Scottish records show that the Dragoon’s first lodge, No. 211, was formed on the 7th February 1785, and named The Royal Arch Union Lodge in the Third Dragoons, and in 1826 the lodge was re-numbered 159.

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The second lodge, also under The Grand Lodge of Scotland, received its charter on the 2nd May 1796 as No. 260 as the Union Royal Arch Lodge in the 3rd Dragoons. However, after only 20 years, the lodge was erased in 1816.

The third and only English lodge, used the dormant Antients warrant for Lodge No. 197, which had a very eventful beginning. It was first used by the 1st Royal Lancashire Militia Lodge, meeting at Dover, which was formed in 1776, but lapsed about two years later.

It was re-formed with the same name and number in 1805, only to lapse again in 1806 when the Militia moved to Devonshire.

By this time The Third King’s Own Light Dragoons had also moved to Devonshire, at Exeter, so when the Warrant became available for the third time, they were happy to take it.

However, the lodge became dormant just two years later, when the Colonel, who was the 3rd Dragoon’s Commanding officer, forbade the lodge from either assembling or holding meetings.

The warrant was transferred in 1808 to The North Hants Militia, and in 1838 the lodge was finally erased. It was not uncommon for a regiment would have two lodges working simultaneously - one lodge for the regiments Officers, and one for NonCommissioned Officers and other ranks.

The lodge had the following numbers: 1785 No. 211 1816 No. 157 1822 No. 156 1826 No. 159 Eventually, the lodge was erased in 1853.

Thanks to Bro. Trevor Harris

The Royal Marines in Suez The photos below Bro. Din MacLean (MM 242 and wearing the green jacket in the first photo and to the right in the bottom photo) now living in Rhu, Argyll & Bute who served with 42 Cdo during the Suez Campaign in 1956. These were actually taken last November for the 60th Anniversary .

To the right is Col. Tim Wilson took a bullet thro’ his face and one thro’ his shoulder during house clearing! He was then casevacked by chopper to HMS Ocean on top bunk in chopper and the guy on the bottom bunk was the man who shot him and the crew had to stop Tim trying to get at him to ‘strangle the bastard’!!

Bro. Don did have an amusing story when he said they were second in—to the Paras as to be expected. They then had to help them out. I assume he means with the clear up after the job was complete…..

Is that correct Don?

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Bro. Lt. Col. Houston Born into the tumultuous political environment of Ireland in the early 19th century, the future Mason James Huston took an early interest in military science. Though he was at first a loyal follower of the Great Liberator Bro. Daniel O’Connell, Huston found a more radical home in the Young Ireland Movements. His background in military tactics marked him early on for leadership.

The English soon discovered Huston’s involvement in fighting for Irish Independence. In 1848, the English Government claimed to have received information regarding Huston drilling large numbers of men to fight the English. It was this allegation that decided Huston’s fate. A bounty of 500 pounds was set on Huston’s head, with a hanging to look forward to if caught.

Huston fled to Scotland, sailed to France, and finally settled in New York City taking a position as a clerk. He joined Manahatta Lodge No. 498, becoming a Master Mason in April of 1861. That same month Fort Sumter was fired upon, beginning this country’s Civil War. Huston went to the front as Captain of Company E. in the Second Regiment N.Y.S.M. It was said he was incapable of fear!

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Though he was a strict disciplinarian, his constant concern for the comfort and welfare of men was endearing. He received his commission as Colonel on the march to Pennsylvania and led 374 men of the 82nd New York regiment onto the field at Gettysburg. He was killed there at the age of 44 before he could be mustered in.

Written by Morgan Aronson.

Maguncor Lodge Maguncor is the code for Machine Gun Corps which was formed in October 1915 in Grantham, Lincolnshire. It consisted of 2,000 officers and 25,000 men and in 1917 the lodge was formed. The lodge met at various locations around the country depending on where most men were stationed from Northumberland to Kent. In 1921, the Corps was absorbed into various other corps as often happened after a war when the need for many units diminished.

As a result, the lodge felt it prudent to change its ;location to become a permanent London lodge and so it met in the Grand Lodge building until a few years ago when it moved to Mark Masons’ Hall at James where it meets today.

As expected with a military lodge, it has brethren with all sorts of honours including two brethren who have received Victoria Crosses in WW1. One of the customs of the lodge is that brethren do not need to wear white gloves

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as is very common in England. These reason is quite simple. While firing their guns, men in the Corps would not have been able to wear gloves and so this was maintained in the lodge.

Below is the close up of the badge on the jewel showing a gunner from the WW1 era with the old style gas mask while on the right is a more modern gunner of WW2.

Bottom left is the current lodge banner.

All 242 brethren will have noticed the WW1 Memorial tablet underneath the Guy clock, but possibly very few know any background to the brethren who died. On the plaque are: •

Bro. Robert Bennet (Black Watch) missing after Battle of Mons in 1914 (body never recovered)

•

Bro. Hepner Giffen (Royal Scots or sometimes Scottish Rifles) KIA on 28th April, 1917 and on Arras Memorial

•

Bro. John Adamson (A&SH ) died of wounds 6th June 1918 and buried at Anzin-St Aubin, Pas-de-Calais

•

Bro. Alexander Blackwood (Australian Expeditionary Force) died of wounds on 19th May, 1916 and buried at Ration Farm Cemetery in La Chapelle-d'Armentieres

Not on the memorial: Pte John Harrison (Cameronians) 9th May, 1915 on Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium Sgt William Bruce (Gordons)died 5th Sept., 1915 on Thiepval Memorial, France 2Lt William Herbertson (KOSB) died 25th Sept., 1915 on Loos memorial, France

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Irish Masonry in 1925 As the 1920s progressed, opponents claimed constitution. that freemasons exercised a disproportionate influence upon Irish cultural, political, and Thankfully, Ireland did not follow the autoeconomic institutions. cratic example set by fascist Italy, which crushed the Grand Orient in 1925. This reIn addition to misgivings about masonic nep- straint demonstrated the limits of radical Caotism, antagonists also railed against the sus- tholicism in independent Ireland, where legpected anti-national and irreligious leanings islators felt disinclined to suppress a lawful of lodge members. society like freemasonry simply because it harboured sentiments other than respect for Irish freemasons were predominantly the theocratic ideals voiced by its loudest Protestant, and affiliated to the Anglo- critics.

American masonic fraternity. From a Catholic perspective, however, the local brotherhood The Grand Lodge of Ireland was formed in resembled a bastion of sectarianism, while it 1725 and continues, uninterrupted from that also struggled to disentangle itself from con- time, to oversee freemasonry across Ireland tinental freemasonry, which had been round- from Dublin. The Grand Lodge building was ly condemned by the leadership of the Catho- opened in 1869 and is well worth a visit. lic Church.

At the time, the Holy See was embroiled in a long-running conflict with the Grand Orient, a powerful masonic rite anchored in France and the Mediterranean region.

Threats like this cast a shadow over an important masonic event which took place in 1925. In that year, emissaries from the Grand Lodges of the English-speaking world gathered in Dublin to commemorate the bicentenary of freemasonry’s introduction to Ireland (commemorative jewel over). Unnerved by the growing criticism, the festival organisers distanced themselves from their European brethren.

Addressing a packed St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Anglican primate of All Ireland, Dr Charles D’Arcy, protested that no common ties linked the Irish rites and the “so-called freemasonry” of the Grand Orient. Emphasising the Christian ethos of the Irish fraternity, D’Arcy pleaded for toleration, while upholding freemasons as patriots loyal to the Irish

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Lady Haig Poppy Factory Thousands of wreaths are laid every year, but where do they come from? Approximately five million poppies, 10,000 wreaths, thousands of wreath centre badges, wooden crosses and other items are made each year at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory.

From its establishment after the 1914 – 1918 war, The Earl Haig Fund acquired its poppies from England. In 1926, Countess Haig, wife of the Field Marshal (seen below), suggested that a factory, employing those men disabled by war, should be started to make poppies for Scotland.

The suggestion was taken up by Bro. Earl Haig’s “Appeal Organisation” and premises, in the form of an old wood-chopping factory in the grounds of Whitefoord House, were acquired.

From a humble start, in March 1926, of “two workers, a pair of scissors and a piece of paper”, numbers soon rose to twenty eight by which time, the bulk of the poppies required for Scotland had been made. And there was a waiting list of 117 men who wished to be employed by the factory.

In 2011 the Factory’s owner, Poppyscotland, merged with The Royal British Legion (TRBL), which means that the Factory is now a member of the TRBL group of charities.

The Factory continues to go from strength to strength, particularly in relation to wreath sales which have grown every year for the last four years. Additional administrative staff have been employed and, to replace the paper-based wreath processing system, a bespoke IT system was designed and put in place by former director Allan Davidson. Equipment has been overhauled to enable the Factory to operate more efficiently and meet future demand. However, the faithful and reliable 1926 machine that is used to cut the silk petals for the wreaths is still going strong. Gerolama, Countess Haig, remains the Factory’s muchloved patron.

Visit the website at: https://www.ladyhaigspoppyfactory.org.uk/ Or on Facebook The online shop has a large number of poppy branded items including a dog collar above.

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VC Winners at Grand Lodge in London

The 64 included three of the famous ‘Six Before Breakfast’ VCs awarded to members of the 1st Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers during their capture of ‘W Beach’ at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.

The unimaginable courage of these and the other 61 Freemasons who were awarded Great War VCs is now permanently recognised by new commemorative stones that bear their names and which have been laid so all can see them outside the iconic Freemasons’ Hall in Covent Garden, London.

The new memorial will act as a reminder of the principles of Freemasonry: Brotherly Love, Truth and Relief - The United Grand Lodge of England is one of the largest contributors to charitable causes in the UK after the National Lottery. These founding principles were demonstrated in great abundance by the 64 'Brothers in Arms' VC holder Freemasons who hailed from all four corners of the globe.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award within the UK honours system that recognises ‘conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy’. It can be awarded to anyone serving with the Armed Forces with no distinction of rank or class, a value shared by Freemasons who come from all backgrounds and walks of life.

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Masonic Murals Many cities are now seeing gable ends being painted to denote people and events. Although this has been common in Northern Ireland for many years to denote notable people, paramilitary units and events, it is only now becoming popular. Glasgow recently commissioned three painting on walls to recognise comedian Billy Connelly’s 75th. Last month, had a photo of a lodge having its wall painted with symbols—here are some more:

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Donation to Armed Forces Association Members of Royal Yorkshire Lodge No. 265, which is based in Cooke Street near Town Hall Square in Keighley, presented a cheque for £300 to Keighley Armed Forces Association's chairman Luke Davison earlier this month. 300 was given to coincide with the 300th Anniversary of English Freemasonry’s Grand Lodge.

The money will go towards buying a new gazebo for the association, for use whenever it wants a presence at outdoor events, especially the Armed Forces Day every June.

From left, charity steward David Paley, Master Anthony Edgar, Rosie Clark of KAFA, KAFA chairman Luke Davison and Treasurer Brian Exley

The Grand Lodge of New Jersey During the summer (despite the weather), the Grand Lodge of New Jersey laid a memorial wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington Cemetery.

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Bro. Capt. Harry Sherwood Rankin VC Harry S. Ranken was born on 3rd September 1883, the eldest son of Rev. Henry Ranken Assistant, then parish Minister of Irvine. Harry was Dux of Irvine Royal Academy in 1899, he went on to study medicine at Glasgow University. He was described as a “Scratch” golfer, representing the Universities in several matches and winning many cups and other prizes.

He graduated in 1905 becoming house physician at Glasgow’s Western Infirmary, he was next the assistant medical officer at the Brook Fever Hospital, London (where a successor institution the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has named one building Ranken House).

In the entrance exam for the Royal Army Medical Corps (Which was open to the entire British Empire) he took first place in 1909. In 1910 the Royal Society appointed him assistant to bacteriologist and pathologist Dr. Henry Plimmer, they jointly researched and published on new treatments for trypanosomiasis, the parasitic deadly disease better known as African sleeping sickness.

in Rouen on 13th August and almost at once his ‘gallant conduct under fire’ between 21st and 28th August made him a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour.

There is conflicting information regarding Ranken’s VC citation, it would appear that his award was received for actions at La Bouvette Wood, during the Battle of the Aisne, on 19th September.

During this battle the side effects of shellfire, the concussive shockwave following the explosion causing blindness, lung damage and death without apparent external injury. Ranken experienced the intended effect, ironically from a British shell, which almost severed his leg. He got combat officers to bind his own wound, and arrest the bleeding.

Ranken refused to leave his patients, continuing to treat their injuries thereby sacrificing his own survival.

He would not allow his injuries to be prioritised above others. His leg was finally amputated, but he later died of a blood clot on 24th September 1914 at the relatively young age of 31.

He also assisted Lt. Col. H.B. Leishman, the RAMC’s Professor of Pathology on anti-typhoid vaccines.

Ranken became a member of the Royal College of Physicians of London in 1910 and in September 1911 attached to the Egyptian Army, where he accepted an appointment on the Sudan Sleeping Sickness Commission. He went to the Yei River in Lado Enclave, Sudan, Ranken used intravenous metallic antimony for treating sleeping sickness, and discovered that it was also effective against yaws, a pdisfiguring and infectious skin disease.

Ranken returned to Irvine in 1914 with the intention of returning to Sudan to continue his research, but it was to remain unfinished. When war broke out he immediately volunteered and was attached to the 1st Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps. They landed

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Harry Sherwood Ranken was Initiated into Mother Kilwinning at an Emergency Meeting on 31 st. January 1910, Passed on 15th. February 1910 & Raised on 14 th.

March 1911

In 2017, Lodge Mother Kilwinning had a special token struck to commemorate his bravery and ultimate sacrifice. The token shown below is on sale at £6.00 each from the Lodge or from myself by post. Post £2.00 up to three tokens. £1.00 from each token will be donated to Poppy Scotland Contact Bro. John Muir PM at: John.muir1779@gmail.com

The Right Credentials Bro. Alex Stobo PM will be elected as our next secretary replacing Bro. Danny Birrell PM who retired this year. Bro. Alex is seen with HRH Prince Charles visiting Rosyth at the naming ceremony on the completion of HMS Prince of Wales. Recent secretaries have been: James Murray PM Henry Leslie PM Grant Macleod PM Danny Birrell PM

1969—1990 1990—1997 1997—2012 2012—2017

The Mounties Bro. Bob Patterson during a visit to Blue Mountain Lodge in Coquitlam in British Columbia witnessed a MM degree conferred by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Degree Team wearing their ceremonial red uniform.

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The team travel across Canada conferring degrees. Ro. Bob is right hand side front row wearing 242 regalia; his son, Andrew, immediately behind him.

In Memoriam It is with deep sadness and much regret that we have to inform you of a loss sustained to the craft in Renfrewshire in the passing to the Grand Lodge above of the following Brother: Bro. Robert Hill

To submit an article or want added to the mail list or Facebook group, contact the Editor, Grant Macleod: E-Mail: crosskeys242@gmail.com

Website: http://lodge242.bravesites.com/

Cross Keys November 2017