1943: W. Bro. Dara Mervanji Munshi

The NINTH INSTALLATION MEETING of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC was held on November 16,1943 at Freemasons Hall, Ravelline Street, Bombay 1. The officers for the year were:

W. Master.	W. Bro. Dara Mervanji Munshi
I.P.M.	W. Bro. Framroz Nadurshaw Shroff
S.W.	Bro. Dr. Burjor Edulji Daruwala
J.W.	Bro. Mohamed Ali Kazerani
Chaplin.	Bro. Dr. Karsonlal Keshavlal Dalal
Treasurer.	W. Bro. J.P.C. Shroff
Secretary.	Bro. Abdulla Virjee Hirji
D of C.	W. Bro. Dr. Homyar Dinshaw Dastoor
S.D.	Bro. Jehangir Jamshedji Poonjiajee
J.D.	Bro. Dr. Marazban Mervanji Hakim
Almoner.	Bro. Bhaidas Rugnathdas Shroff
Organist.	Bro. Dr. Uttamchand Somchand Shah
I.G.	Bro. Dr. Bipin Krishna Banerji
Steward.	W. Bro. Dr. Mohanlal Vanichand Modi
Tyler	Bro. Husaini Abdullabhoy Verawalla

RW Bro Bhaidas Ruganathdas Shroff

R. W. Bro. Bhaidas Rugnathdas Shroff was a legendary figure in the history of freemasonry in India and also Lodge Reginald Spence No.109 GLI. Bhaidas, as he was fondly called, was a share broker residing at 35, Mint Road, Bombay. A very amiable person, he was proposed to Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC by W. Bro. Dr. Mohanlal Vanichand Modi. He was an excellent ritualist, well versed in the various intricacies and finer points of ritual working, with a zest for freemasonry not often found in a mason. I had met him on several occasions when he used to meet my father, at a time when I did not know what freemasonry was. Always immaculately dressed in a white jodhpuri, it was a delight to see him working in the lodge.

Initiated on December 17,1940 he was passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on January 21,1941 and raised to the sublime degree of master mason on March 18,1941.He made rapid and profound progress and his first office was Asst. Secretary on November 17,1942. Almoner in the year 1943-44; I.G.in the year 1944-45; he assumed the office of Secretary on November 20,1945 and held it for a period of 2 years. Chaplin in the year 1947- 48; he was J.W.in the year 1948-49 and S.W. in the year 1949-50. He was installed in the Eastern Chair on November 17,1950 and was the IPM the following year. Asst. D of C in the years 1953-53,1957-58 and 1958-59, he was D of C of the lodge for 16 years in the years 1954-55, 1955-56 and then from November 17,1959 to the end of the lodge Masonic year 1972-73. At this period of his masonic career, health problems caused him to slow down a bit and he was called to the Grand Lodge Above on March 9, 1974.

In the year 1960-61, Bro. Bhaidas was already PM of the lodge, PM of Lodge Bhore Ghaut No.3465 EC, W.Master Lodge Tara No.419 IC and W.Master of Lodge Hiram No.1784 EC. He was also P.Dist.S.G.W and P.Dist.G.Chaplin. On the lodge adopting the Indian Constitution Bro. Bhaidas was the P.R.S.G.W.

On five occasions Bro. Bhaidas was nominated to the Board of General Purposes. Honours came to him and in the year 1962-63 he was made an honorary member of the Grand Lodge of Bolivia, South America. It was announced in the meeting held on March 19,1963 that Bro. Bhaidas was appointed G.J.Deacon, and to honour him Lodge Republic No.123 GLI presented him with the full regalia of his office. The lodge celebrated his Silver Jubilee in the year 1965-66 and such were his achievements that he became the first P.A.R.G.M. and then P.Dy.R.G.M. and later P.Asst.G.M. on March 11,1972. He was called to the Grand Lodge Above on March 9,1974.

Bro. Dr. Uttamchand Somchand Shah was an ophthalmic surgeon and joined the lodge at the age of 29 years. He resided at Bansilal Motilal Building, Opera House Terminus. He was initiated on February 12,1940, passed on April 16,1940 and raised on July 16,1940. A very proficient mason, his first office Organist on November 16,1943. In the year 1944-45 he was Asst. D of C; in 1945-46 J.D; in 1946-47 S.D; Secretary in 1947-48 and Chaplin in 1948-49. He was appointed J.W. on November 15,1949; S.W. 1950-51 and he was installed in the Eastern Chair on November 20,1951. He was IPM the following year and resigned on Octtober 20, 1958.