The mystery of the Loge le Havre de Grace Masonic Lodge “Founder Medal”
Some time ago, I was given a masonic medal by an old friend that was found in her deceased fathers’ belongings. Her father’s name was Nick Pappas and he hailed from Shuniah Lodge 287, Thunder Bay, Ontario. She asked that I gather what information I could and knew that I would appreciate the artifact, being a Freemason myself. The medal belonged to J.E. Thompson of Port Arthur, Ontario. The “Founder” medal indicated “No. 4” and “Founded by Allied Military” and was dated 1916. Other than that, little was known about it.
My search was extremely fortunate to find an article an old edition of the Rifle and Apron, written by provided by Brother Lieutenant Joseph F. Curry. The article goes on to state:
"In World War I, a Masonic Lodge was established at Le Havre, France. Le Havre de Grace No. 4 was warranted under the "Grande Loge Nationale lndependante et Regulier pour la France et les Colonies Francaises." Seventy Masons were listed as founding members, representing Mother Lodges in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, India, Malta, Gibraltar, South Africa, and the United States.
"At the ceremony of consecration, on October 31, 1916, the following words were spoken by the Chaplain: "Surrounded as we are with an atmosphere charged with so much disruption, disunion, and discord, with lowering clouds of hate and strife, through which at present there appears to be but a faint light penetrating - a light which we hope is indicative of the future blaze of joy and happiness - we launch this ship of Peace and Harmony."
"Carleton Lodge No. 465 in Carp, Ontario eventually acquired the furnishings from Loge le Havre, where they are still in use today."
“where they are still in use today” was the link that I needed and had been searching for.
I then connected with W. Bro Blake Farmer, the Secretary of Carleton Lodge 465 in Carp, Ontario. He informed me that Carleton Lodge did indeed have the original furniture (altar, lesser lights, etc.) from Le Havre de Grace, France. It was not entirely clear how the items made it from France to Carp, but it was facilitated by the (then) Secretary, whose last name was “Thompson”. It is not clear at this time whether that Secretary is the same person as the brother’s name on the Founder medal i.e. “J.E. Thompson”.
The Founder medal bears a manufacturer stamp “Spencer and Co. Masonic manufacturers” (England). W. Bro. Farmer confirmed the furniture in their Lodge bears the same manufacturer stamp. In 1947, Toye Kenning acquired Spencer and Co.
In my communication with W. Bro. Farmer about the Founder medal I advised him I would be returning the medal to their Lodge. That way, it could accompany the other artifacts being kept at Carleton Lodge, where it rightfully belonged.
On Thursday April 25th, 2024, in the presence of Grand Master Hogeboom, I returned the Founders medal where it was finally re-united with Carleton Lodge and the remaining artifacts from Loge Le Havre, France.
Ergo the medal’s journey back, after a 108 year absence spanning two world wars, two continents, troop ships across the Atlantic, troop trains to Port Arthur, tales of battles fought, memories of comrades lost, several generations of safe keepers and many loving hands to finally ‘come home’ and be reunited with the other remaining artifacts of Loge Le Havre.
On this day in history, in 1968, the United States exploded beneath the Nevada desert a 1.3 megaton nuclear device called “Boxcar.”
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