Free Mason's in the British Army

Guest

I have often been struck by the number
of officer's who were on ' the square '
i seem to recall from memory that Melvill
and Coghill were mason's, their lodge being
in Gib/Malta.. were all the officer class
mason's if so why?. were they actively
recruited. will some one fill me in on this.. Salute

Posts : 1861 Join date : 2009-03-25

I think your find Melville was fast tracked into the mason. I think to 3rd degree!
Wasn't there a Mason Gavel found at Isandlwana.

Subject: Re: Free Mason's in the British Army Wed Jan 29, 2014 10:44 pm

24th I think you mean Coghill!

"The Victoria Cross and the Royal Lodge of Friendship No. 278

"After the Crimean War the Lodge of Friendship continued to attract many Officers and Gentlemen from visiting Battalions to its ranks. This was primarily due to the falling off in the number of Military Lodges, by 1886 only sixteen Field Lodges remained in the British Army. One Officer in particular, a young Irish Sub-Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, 24th Regiment, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers by the name of Nevill Joseph Aylmer Coghill aged 22 years, applied for and was accepted a member of the Lodge of Friendship No. 278. In the Masonic Register of members of our District he is recorded as having been initiated on the 2nd September 1874, passed on the 17th of the same month, and raised just a few weeks later, on the 7th October. Bro. Coghill’s rapid initiation into the three degrees in such a short space of time, (including the holding of an emergency meeting for such a purpose) was due to the Battalion’s imminent departure from the Garrison early in November.

Only a few months earlier another Lieutenant from the same Regiment had become a joining member of the Friendship Lodge on the 1st April 1874. Lt. Teignmouth Melville initiated into Glittering Star Lodge No. 322 I.C had like his fellow Officer and Brother Mason Lt. Coghill joined the popular Friendship Lodge as was traditional amongst the Officers and Gentlemen serving in Gibraltar at the time. Both men called off from Friendship Lodge on the 31st December 1874 prior to their departure from the Garrison. The Scottish Borderers headed for South Africa where on the 1st November 1876, Coghill became a joining member of Southern Cross Lodge No. 398 Scottish Constitution, and on joining he stated that his Mother Lodge was the Lodge of Friendship, Gibraltar.

Three years later, on the 22nd January 1879, the thin red line of the Scottish Borderers were no match for the thousands of well disciplined Zulu warriors who overwhelmed them at Isandhlwana. All the officers of the 24th and all but two of the men were killed. In what was later to be immortalized by the film ‘Zulu Dawn’, Lt. Coghill joined another officer who was trying to save the Queen’s Colours, that Officer was none other than his fellow Brother Lt. Melville. Zulu warriors relentlessly pursued the two Officers and whilst crossing the swollen Buffalo River, Lt. Coghill went to the rescue of his brother officer, who had lost his horse and was in mortal danger without heed to his own safety. His gallant effort proved futile as they were overtaken by their pursuers and after a short struggle both men were killed."

Subject: Free Masons in the British Army Thu Jan 30, 2014 5:18 am

I doubt me old mate Martin will enjoy your post Littlehand , with it referring to the Regt as being The South Wales Borderers !
90th

Guest

Three years later, on the 22nd January 1879, the thin red line of the Scottish Borderers...?

Subject: Re: Free Mason's in the British Army Fri Jan 31, 2014 7:12 am

There were a lot more masons at isandlwana other than officers.
Sgnt Edward Daly lists: QMS Davis, CM Smith, MacCracken, Brierley, Byrne, Saunders, "plus others".

Letter to Mrs MaCaffery 5th Feb.

Guest

Three years later, on the 22nd January 1879, the thin red line of the Scottish Borderers...? ?

Subject: Re: Free Mason's in the British Army Mon Mar 03, 2014 8:56 pm

24th wrote:: I think your find Melville was fast tracked into the mason. I think to 3rd degree!

Wasn't there a Mason Gavel found at Isandlwana.

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Subject: Re: Free Mason's in the British Army Mon Mar 03, 2014 9:53 pm

LH,

Well that clarifies that ones Edward Daly mentions were not Freemasons as Springy suggested above but members of the Independent Order of Good Templars, which was a Temperance Society. Giving the article mentions Colonel Harvey, I suggest it dates from post-August 1888, but pre-27th July 1890.

John Y.

Subject: Re: Free Mason's in the British Army Mon Mar 03, 2014 10:27 pm

TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 60, 8 September 1900, Page 3

Subject: Re: Free Mason's in the British Army Mon Mar 03, 2014 10:33 pm

LH,

Not J. J. Harvey in that case, obviously another Harvey serving in the Bengal Presidency in 1900.

John Y.