"Out of the Ashes: The impact of early twentieth century wars on New Zealand Freemasonry as measure by the life of Colonel George Barclay".
Courtesy of Glenn Summerhayes
The thrust of the paper is twofold. The first looks at Freemasonry after WWI and the second looks at the role George Barclay had in propelling Freemasonry and its Orders in the early twentieth century. Although some historians focus on individuals and the role they played in leading movements, it has been argued that the major changes in history would have occurred without these people. I focus of George Barclay and his role in Freemasonry including the Craft, setting up Service Lodges, Royal Arch, OSM, and Templars, for example, and argue that he played a significant and major role in early twentieth century NZ Freemasonry. I end on pondering - if George Barclay had not existed where would NZ freemasonry be today?
THE WAR
The Great War of 1914-1918 witnessed a revolution in social norms and expectations across the world. Over nine million soldiers were killed on top of seven million civilians. The political and economic landscapes of Europe were re-configured leading to the disasters of the next few decades resulting in World War II. New Zealand although on the other side of the world was not immune to Europe’s problems. Of the one million one hundred thousand people living in New Zealand, some 100,000 of their people went overseas as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF). Of these members of the armed forces, 18,000 were killed and 40,000 wounded. This is an amazingly high proportion of casualties from such a small nation.
Prior to the war, in 1911 New Zealand had 191 lodges with 12,309 members (this also included masons belonging to more than one lodge). In 1921 the number of lodges had swollen to 240 with 19,715 members (Knox 1969). This represents an increase of 49 lodges and 7406 members. What role did the war play in this increase? It will be argued below that the experiences of these members of the NZED also made a significant contribution to Freemasonry in New Zealand.
During the war, Masonic Associations were formed in France and the Near East (Palestine and Egypt) (Watson 2008). These were initially two separate organisations:
1. NZEF Masonic Association (Formed in France) and
2. NZEF (in Palestine & Egypt) Masonic Association formed in Palestine.
As Grant Watson (2008: 236) had noted, although separate, the secretaries of these organisations were close friends which made sure that close ties were formed between the two. Who were these people? A major impetus behind the NZEF Masonic Association and its set up in 1916 was Colonel George Barclay. He was a “driving force… which was formed after a meeting he convened at Armentieres, France 21 June 1916” (Clements 2017). The association in Egypt and Palestine was set up by Brigadier-General William Meldrum (who commandeered the mounted division). The purpose was to facilitating Freemasonry in the Holy Land. On the 27th May 36 masons from 34 Lodges met near Gaza to agree to form a Masonic Association. The latter held a 15 minute masonic meeting in a cavern under the temple dome in April 1918.
Insights into the formation and role of the Masonic Association can be found in a paper written and presented by Colonel George Barclay in 1937 (see Barclay 1957). Titled ‘The Soldier and Freemasonry’, it provided a background into the formation of the association and Masonic activities. Basically the association’s “original objective was to hold meetings to promote fraternity among its members, with branches formed in various camps, depots and hospitals”. It also promoted interaction between NZ freemasons either convalescing or waiting to be shipped home with Lodges along the south coast of England, and also organised visit to Freemasons Hall (Clements 2017).
Although Barclay had hoped to form a military Lodge in Europe, he (Barclay 1957: 89) noted that movable Military Lodges were not looked favourably by the English and Scottish Masonic Grand Lodges. Entry into such a lodge was for those who had “served, or be serving, in some branch of her Majesty’s Sea, Land or Air Forces”. There were many reasons why they were not look at favourably, the major one being the reduction of numbers after the conflict had ended. Another reason lay with the elitism of English Lodges where all rank and file members were excluded from joining. According to Barclay (1957: 89) the Military authorities thought it “detrimental to discipline to meet upon the level in a Freemasons Lodge” (page 89).
Interestingly, Barclay (1957: 90) did mention other Lodges that formed during the war in or after the war:
1. Grand Orient of the Netherlands issued charters for two Lodges for British internees: The Gasturijheid and William van Orange”. It is significant these two lodges were “removed” to London and issued Charters by the English Grand Lodge (no.3970 and 3976).
2. During the occupation of Rhine in 1919, American soldiers formed a Masonic Club which had some 3200 members when it ceased later in the same year. Barclay (1957: 91) pointed out that members come from many United States Grand Lodges, and also comprised members from other countries such as Panama, Canada, Mexico, Philippines, Scotland and Ireland. Arising from this club evolved the “Overseas Lodge No. 1 UD” which initiated 500 candidates. Barclay emphasised that it candidates came from Major Generals to privates. This is in stark contrast with English movable Military Lodges. The “Overseas Lodge No 1. UD” was a Army and Naval Lodge and charted by the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and the Providence Plantations.
Some 2740 New Zealand masons joined the NZ Expeditionary Forces. One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two from New Zealand lodges, 389 from English Constitutions, 177 from Scottish Constitutions, 18 from other constitutions (Australia, USA etc.), and 31 unknown. Of those who enlisted, three hundred and eleven masons either died in action or from the wounds they suffered. That constitutes 11% - a significantly high number of men (these details come from a spreadsheet supplied by Kerry Nicholls).
At wars end the NZEF Masonic Association had 1500 members. Jewels were struck for the members, while two were struck in gold: one for the English Grand Lodge, the other for George Barclay. What did Barclay do in the war? Barclay was no youngster when war broke out – he was 49 in 1914. His involvement in the war can be understood by reviewing his long term association with the New Zealand Volunteers which went back to 1883 when he enlisted, and which he was associated with throughout his transfers and promotions in the railways working himself up to Captain in 1897 and Major in 1903 and then Lieutenant Colonel in 1911 (Nathan 2003:155). From 1st January 1915 he was appointed Major to the Field Company Engineers NZ Expeditionary Force, and left for Gallipoli via Egypt on 30 May 1915. He did not last long and was back in Egypt in August as he had enteritis (Nathan 2003:155). He joined his unit at Ismaila just east of the Suez and left for France in April 1916 where he did himself proud being mentioned twice in Haig’s despatches and awarded various honours. In January he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and was based in England as commander of the NZ Engineer reserve depot. He had quite an impressive role in the armed forces, but what about the Masonic role he played?
COL GEORGE BARCLAY – HIS ROLE IN FREEMASONRY AND THE WAR
An noted above George Barclay was, as noted in the official history of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, “one of those that inaugurated the N.Z.E.F Masonic Association,… presiding as its first President” (Nathan 1971: 77). In assessing his impact upon Freemasonry during the war, it is prudent to assess his role in Freemasonry prior to the war, during the war, and after the war.
Impact as a Freemason
Prior to WWI
George Barclay was born in Scotland on the 12th December 1865 and died at the age of 77 on 13th December 1943 (Northern 1971; 65). Although born in Inverness, Scotland, his family emigrated to New Zealand in the early 1870s where they settled in Milton (Nathan 2003:150). At the age of 14 (1879) he embarked on a career in the Railways where he started as a cadet in Dunedin. At the age of 26 he began his career in Freemasonry. As will be argued below, his role in Freemasonry in all its aspects is nothing short of remarkable,
Dunedin
He was initiated into Lodge Otago 844 English Constitution, on 6th May 1891 (Sheppard 1992). He continued this membership with the English Constitution throughout his life. His commitment is evident soon after he was raised when he became the Lodge Secretary (Nathan 2003: 150). It is remarkable that before he was installed as Master in 1896 he fulfilled the duties of District Grand Steward from 1893/4 and District Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1895 (Nathan 2003: 150).
He did not rest his laurels with the Craft. Two years after his initiation in 1893 his Royal Arch career began when he was exalted in Kilwinning Otago RA Chapter 116, Scottish Constitution. He subsequently became First Principal in 1899, and in 1911 was given Grand Chapter rank as Past First Grand Sojourner. Two years after joining the Royal Arch he joined the Priory of Otago in 1895 (The Great Priory of Scotland of the United, Religious and Military orders of the Temple and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes & Malta.– what we call the Knights Templars and was Preceptor and Prior from 1901 to 1907 (Wilson 1994:26).
Barclay also played a leading role in getting started the Sphinx Chapter No. 23 of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Scotland. Although an earlier Sphinx chapter was part of an early Supreme Council for New Zealand with a warrant granted in 1875 under the Grand Orient of Egypt – basically because of the reluctance of the Grand Council of Scotland, they were not recognised by either Scotland or England (McRoss 2001: 1). Another attempt to get a Chapter started was made some 14 years later in March 1897 (McRoss 2001:2). Former Members from the Sphinx Chapter and members of the Grand Priory of Otago No. 1 (a total of 6) held a meeting to revive Rose Croix Masonry in Dunedin under the Scottish Constitution. G. Barclay was given the job of “Secretary Protem” – that is acting head of the body to get this job completed. As a result, on the 1st of May 1897, the Sphinx Rose Croix Chapter No. 23 under the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Scotland, was consecrated. Barclay was one of the first candidates and was further enthroned as Most Wise Sovereign from 1902 to 1906. He obviously did not wait for the Charter as that was officially received later in June 1902 (McRoss 2001). He later received his 31st degree in 1905, and his 32nd degree in 1910.
Palmerston and Frankton Junction
Barclay’s masonic career developed alongside his changing postings with the railways. After he became stationmaster at Palmerston in 1903 he affiliated with Lodge Palmerston No. 26, New Zealand Constitution. In 1908 he was transferred to became station master at Frankton Junction in the Waikato, and in 1911 became a charter member and first Master of Lodge Tawhiri No. 166. This Lodge started as a direct result of George Barclay. Barclay saw the need for a Lodge on the western bank of the Waikato and held meetings in his house, from which Lodge Tawhiri was the result (see Nathan 2003:151 for more detail). His Grand Lodge of NZ journey began when he was subsequently appointed to the office of Senior Grand Warden in 1911.
As he moved north he naturally looked for a Royal Arch Chapter to get involved in. In 1909 he joined the Waikato Royal Arch Chapter No. 22 (NZ Constitution) and was installed as First Principal later that year (Nathan 2003:151) and served two terms. Of interest, he was also Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Alabama in 1912 an office he held up to his death.
Auckland
Barclay transferred to Auckland in 1912 where he became Chief Clerk of the Railways (Nathan 2003:152). Naturally his Masonic interests spread and he joined the United Masters Lodge in 1913 and became Master in the same year. He was indeed active as noted by Nathan. He presented four papers in 1914 and was installed for a second term. He also joined Ara Lodge No. 1 in Auckland on 10th December 1913. He was demitted in 1921 after the war. The Great War took him away from New Zealand and into turmoil of warfare.
Thus as can be seen up to and prior to the war, George Barclay lived a remarkable life. He not only demonstrated his Masonic dedication and abilities in undertaking a leading role he played in all orders, but also his vision and abilities in getting a Masonic Order up and going with Chapter Sphinx. With his determination and commitment to Freemasonry it is of no surprise that he played a leading role in setting up the NZEF Masonic Association.
After WWI
Even in England prior to returning home, Barclay was planning for the future of New Zealand Freemasonry. This is evident in role in the Ancient and Accepted Rite of Scotland. In 1919 while still in Europe Barclay kept his finger on the pulse, sending a cable requesting his desire to be nominated for the Office of Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Ancient and Accepted Rite of Scotland (McRoss 2001:4). He did not get a seconder from his own Chapter back in Dunedin and was not voted in. However, the Supreme Council of Scotland overruled the vote and appointed Ill Bro. George Barclay as Sovereign Grand Inspector General. Later in September 1919 and back in Dunedin Barclay was present when his Sovereign Chapter passed a resolution expressing a loss of confidence in the Supreme Council. Barclay in turn expressed regret at “causing dissent” (McRoss 2001:5). He did, however, point out that at the death of the previous S.G Insp General he had visited Chapters in Egypt, England and Scotland. In any case, from 1919 to 1944 George Barclay, 33 degree mason, was the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Ancient and Accepted Rite of New Zealand.
Barclay leadership ability and vision was again seen in his role in bringing another masonic order to New Zealand whilst still based in England just after the war. He was instrumental in applying for a warrant to establish the Order of the Secret Monitor in New Zealand. It was written in the ‘History of the Order of the Secret Monitor’, that “certain officers of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, being on duty in London, were inducted into the Degrees of Secret Monitor in Zacharie Conclave No. 9” (Wilkinson 1964:35). These members then obtained a warrant for Aotearoa Conclave No. 44 nominating Br Gray as the first Supreme Ruler. The Conclave was consecrated in London on June 1921. “An energetic and enterprising member of this Conclave was Col George Barclay”. But the Chapter was operating in 1920 – before the consecration. In any case in 1930 Barclay became the D.G.S.R. over both the North and South Island.
Craft
Back home in New Zealand someone with Barclays drive went from strength to strength. Aged on 55 in 1920 he joined Grand Lodge staff as Assistant Grand Secretary and Grand Secretary in 1921, when he succeeded MW Bro Malcom Niccol, a position he held till November 1933 (Northern 1971:65). In 1929 he was conferred with the office of Past Deputy Grand Master. After stepping down as Grand Secretary, he was appointed as Grand Lecturer for 2 years.
Barclay was also instrumental in setting up a number of Service Lodges as a Charter member (Watson 2008: 241). These included The Service Lodge No. 237, which is now part of United Lodge of Otago No. 448. Barclay was also a Charter member of other Service Lodges in NZ formed after WW1 including Lodge United Forces 245 and The Combined Forces Lodge 284. These ‘Service’ lodges were an extension of the NZEF Masonic Association being set up comprising masons who had enlisted in the Armed Forces during the war. This was later extended to those who were in the forces. More on this later on.
Added to this impressive achievement was his membership to Lodge Waverley 226 (1921) Lodge Gisborne 233(1921), St Clair 246 (1922 – he resigned the following year), Lodge William Fergusson Massey No 282 (1925), and Lodge Herbert Teagle 300 (1929). What is more remarkable is that when he founded Lodge Waverley No. 226 and became its first Master, he was also Master of what is today the Research Lodge of Otago,161, and also the First Principal of the Celtic Royal Arch, not to mention leadership roles in other Masonic Orders.
Lets look at his involvement in other Orders:
Royal Arch
Barclay was also an outstanding Royal Arch Freemason. He had been 1st Principal of Chapter Celtic in 1922, and in 1924 became Past Grand Sojourner. His travelling is evident by lectures given in many North Island chapters (Nathan 1992: 80). Testimony to his commitment to Royal Arch Freemasonry was in 1937 when he became the Most Excellent Companion First Grand Principal of the Grand Chapter of New Zealand (Nathan 1992: 124).
Templars
Again, leadership roles are evident in the Knight Templars. In 1920 Barclay opened and dedicated Preceptories in Auckland and Wellington. Later that year the Grand Priory of New Zealand was consecrated (Wilson, 1994: 9). Barclay was created a Knight Grand Cross (GCT) in 1924 (Wilson 1994: 9). It was noted that he was a stalwart of the Otago Preceptory (Preceptory and Priory of Otago 1969:9). When he joined, the Priory was part of the Great Priory of Scotland and it is indeed today the oldest surviving Preceptory outside of Scotland. Today it forms Otago No. 1 of the New Zealand Constitution.
Constantine (The Masonic and Military Orders of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Appendant Orders of the Holy Sepulchre and of St John the Evangelist).
Barclay was instrumental in bringing the Constantine to New Zealand. He was initiated into the order in England, and in 1931 was enthroned as Foundation Viceroy in New Zealand Conclave No 172 (England) in Wellington, and later as the Foundation Sovereign in the Dunedin Conclave 176 English Constitution (Now No. 1 NZ Constitution). He held the Chair for two years and in 1935 became the first Deputy General of the newly created NZ Division. The following year he was given Grand past rank of Past Grand general (Nathan 2001:154).
He was also in the KTPs and the ROS and AMD of Scotland, and Societas Rosicrucians in Anglia (Christchurch College 1906). To top it all off Barclay, as Grand Secretary, wrote a book published in 1935 titled “The Extinct Lodges of New Zealand” – a tome nearly 200 pages long. He wrote the book as it may be of interest “which may be of value when the time comes to write up a history of Freemasonry in New Zealand”. He felt that those lodges no longer in existence would not have a voice in that history. He became that voice demonstrating a deep commitment to Freemasonry. Today it is still a very important reference book for researchers.
CONCLUSION
Testimony to Barclay’s prominence in the annals of Freemasonry in New Zealand has already been written by others. In an essay written on Barclay as the Founder of the Order of the Secret Monitor in New Zealand, Sheppard (1992:76) writes that:
“One can only wonder at the prodigious output of this man. His interest and energy in furthering all things masonic is an example to us all. As Grand Secretary he had to deal with the changes in the society occasioned by the depression of the 1920s, and the Disastrous Great Depression of the 1930s.”
The official History of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand talks about Barclay in terms:
“His zeal for Freemasonry in all its branches was bounded only by the physical ability of one man to take a prominent part in every activity of every degree. He lectured and wrote extensively on Masonic subjects. In addition he was an enthusiastic volunteer and rose to command the Engineering Battalion in World War 1, and was a Knight of St John in the Order of St John of Jerusalem” (Northern 1971: 72).
The impact that Barclay had on Freemasonry, and all its Orders, cannot be underestimated. True, if he did not exist then Freemasonry probably would have developed along a similar trajectory than we have witnessed, although the nature and depth would not have been the same. He was active in all aspects of Freemasonry and at all levels including Management and Leadership at the highest of levels. The nature of his commitment must be seen through the discipline he must have applied to himself. I am not sure that the war had an impact on Barclay, although it must have, however, as seen by the role he played before the outbreak of war, it must be said that Barclay did have a major impact on Freemasonry during the war. This is seen not only by his active role in setting up the NZEF Masonic Association, but also in his facilitating access to Masonic activities back in England, and in the introduction of other orders back into New Zealand.
The war did however have an impact of New Zealand troops returning back home. In essence, clues to why the war had such an impact on Freemasonry can be seen in Barclay’s lecture “The Soldier and Freemasonry”. Towards the end of this article Barclay talks about famous masons from Admiral Lord Nelson to Lord Kitchener. He then writes:
“ When we realise that such men as these, Empire builders in every sense of the word, were able to devote some of their time to Freemasonry, it must bring home to us the fact that there is something in the Craft which many fail to grasp-something which can only be reached by further instruction and research. These great Freemasons whose names I have mentioned were all men who had embodied in their very nature that virtue which may be said to form one of the great points in the instructions of the newly initiated candidates obedience. It is impressed upon the soldier in the name of discipline during his military training, and it is forcibly impressed upon the candidate in the final charge in the First degree - obedience to the Laws of God the Moral and Social Laws, Loyalty and Obedience to the sovereign, and to his Native Land; Obedience to the Law of Citizenship, and to the Constitution and Laws of Freemasonry.
“The Soldiers, Brethren will bring to their in interpretation of Freemasonry those characteristics of the service to which they belong or formerly belonged. They were taught as soldiers that it was a good policy to give their enemy no room for manoeuvre to keep him confined in his own ground”. (Italics mine)
The discipline that Barclay writes about is seen in Barclay from an earlier time. This discipline early in his military involvement and ultimately led to the setting up of the Service Lodges. Barclay saw Service Lodges as special. What he did not mention, although I am sure he believed in, was the comradery of ex-servicemen to share their experiences with brothers with similar experiences. Experiences that many who never served could not understand. It is obvious from Barclays masonic History, his wartime experience, and his community service, that he was a leader of people who did make a difference. Without him history would continue, but we would be all the more poorer for it.
Glenn Summerhayes, OL OAM FAHA FSA
Chair of Anthropology, University of Otago, Dunedin
Acknowledgements
I wish to thank a number of people for their encouragement and help in providing references and articles. Many thanks to Grant Watson, Kerry Nicholls, Colin Heyward and Ed Robinson.
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