This afternoon I will be delivering a talk to the Veritatem Sequere Lodge No.9615 entitled FREEMASONRY IN THE BRITISH ARMY.
The Veritatem Sequere Lodge No.9615 is the Province of Hertfordshire's Research Lodge, and I have been a member of it for some years. We meet three times each year at different locations within the Province of Hertfordshire, and at each one a member or visitor gives a talk on a subject that is related to some aspect of Masonic history or ritual. Once it has been delivered my talk will be added to the list of papers that are published online by the Lodge, and will be accessible to other Freemasons.
I have been doing the research for this talk some years, and have in fact delivered it to a number of other Lodges on previous occasions. I spent part of yesterday revising the previous draft to incorporate my most recent research as well as adding a short 'quiz' section to the middle to break up the talk and to get some interaction with my audience. The quiz is about the film ZULU and Battle of Rorke's Drift, and consists of four questions. These are:
The Veritatem Sequere Lodge No.9615 is the Province of Hertfordshire's Research Lodge, and I have been a member of it for some years. We meet three times each year at different locations within the Province of Hertfordshire, and at each one a member or visitor gives a talk on a subject that is related to some aspect of Masonic history or ritual. Once it has been delivered my talk will be added to the list of papers that are published online by the Lodge, and will be accessible to other Freemasons.
I have been doing the research for this talk some years, and have in fact delivered it to a number of other Lodges on previous occasions. I spent part of yesterday revising the previous draft to incorporate my most recent research as well as adding a short 'quiz' section to the middle to break up the talk and to get some interaction with my audience. The quiz is about the film ZULU and Battle of Rorke's Drift, and consists of four questions. These are:
- What was the name of the infantry regiment whose members made up the bulk of the defenders of Rorke’s Drift?
- How many of the defenders of Rorke’s Drift are known to have been Welsh?
- How many of the Victoria Crosses and Distinguished Conduct Medals awarded for the action at Rorke’s Drift was awarded to Welshmen?
- Who was the last survivor of the defenders of Rorke’s Drift, and when did he die?
I began browsing the Internet for answers and eventually finished up reading about the last living survivor of the Crimean War, called Timothy who died in 2003...
ReplyDelete...He was a Tortoise apparently.
Stephen Briddon,
DeleteIt's amazing how a 'quick' bit of research on the Internet can lead you into all sorts of unusual places!
I hope that you did find the answers in the end!
All the best,
Bob
I have a question, Bob. "How many of the defenders were Freemasons?"
ReplyDeleteI know the answer to the first and last question on your quiz...I must see if I can find the other two.
I hope your lecture is a resounding success. I used to do the same sort of thing for American Civil War Roundtable Groups.
-Steve
Steven Page,
DeleteAt least two of the VC winners were Freemasons; as to the other defenders, my research is still ongoing.
The answere to all four questions will be in my next blog entry, as will some comments about the accuracy of the film ZULU.
Freemasonry during the Anerucan Civil War is an area I would like to do some research into as The Craft was widespread in the pre-war US Army as well as within civil society.
All the best,
Bob