1935: The Consecration

Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC was concecrated in a very solemn and dignified manner on Saturday, January 12,1935 by the then Rt.W. the District Grand Master assisted by the District Grand Officers.

W.Bro. Khan Bahadur Palanji Davar P.A.G.Reg.(Eng), P.D.G.W.(Eng) acted as the Director of Ceremonies and W.Bro. Sohrab Davar P.A.G.Reg(Eng), P.D.G.W(Bom) delivered the oration. W.Bro. J.J. Watson D.G.D.of C mustered together a number of worthy brethren to form the choir with Bro. Mulvaney officiating at the organ during the concecartion ceremony. Bro J.P.C. Shroff was nominated in the charter as the first W.Master Designate of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC. On the conclusion of the consecration ceremony W. the Deputy District Grand Master of Bombay, W.Bro. Robert Hugh Middleton installed Bro. Jamshed Pestonji Cowasji Shroff to the Chair of King Solomon in a most befitting manner in accordance with the ancient rites and customs.

During the first year the officers of the Lodge were:

W.Master. W. Bro. Jamshed Pestonji Cowasji Shroff

I.P.M. W. Bro. Abdulla Casum Nanji

S.W. Bro. Shankerlal Fulchand Sutaria

J.W. Bro. Abdulla Mohamed Jaffar Mowla

Chaplin. Bro. Subramanyam Krishna Iyer

Treasurer. W. Bro. Abdulla Casum Nanji

Secretary. Bro. Dr. Homyar Dinshaw Dastoor

D of C.     W. Bro. Robert Hugh Middleton

Asst. Secretary. Bro. Jamshedji Shivakshav Daruwalla

Almoner. Bro. Claude H. Klein

Organist. Bro. John Leo Mulvaney

I.G. Bro. Rustomji Ardeshir Wadia

Steward. Bro. Hatimbhoy Essufally Shums Bro. Themurasp Framjee Dharwar

A bit about the founding fathers of the Lodge.

W.M. W. Bro. Jamshed Pestonji Cowasji Shroff.

Soon after his education, he entered business as a wine merchant and became very successful at his vocation. He was one of the most respected in the business and reached a very high level of proficiency. J.P.C, as he was called, saw the light of freemasonry when he was initiated on October 26,1925 in Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC. He was passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on December 28,1925 and raised to the sublime degree of master mason on March 29,1926.

He was the first master of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC and during his masonic career he was installed in the Eastern Chair for a second time on November 17,1959. (Silver Jubilee year). He was entrusted with the finances of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC for a period of 22 years from November 29,1937. W.Bro.

J.P.C.Shroff had an individual charity account to his name. His masonic Silver Jubilee was celebrated on November 17,1953

W. Bro. J.P.C. Shroff, P.M. was called to the Grand Lodge Above on November 16,1967.

W.Bro. Abdulla Casum Nanji was the first IPM of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC. He was born on August 1,1896. After completing his education, he made insurance his profession and soon became insurance manager. He resided at Tayeb Palace, 17 Lamington Road North, Bombay 11. He was initiated into freemasonry on October 16, 1920. Passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on November 13,1920. On December 11,1920 he was raised to the sublime degree of a master mason. He was a member of Lodge Barton No.475 SC, Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC and Lodge Islam No.587 SC.

Bro. Nanji was the first treasurer of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC and continued RW Bro Homyar Dinshaw Dastoorfor one year more. For the next 3 years he was the steward of our lodge and on December 17,1940 he resigned from Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC.

W. Bro. Shankerlal Fulchand Sutaria was born on September 10,1893 and was the manager Saroj Movitone. He resided at Paul Tank Road, Bombay 12.

On August 3,1928 he was initiated into freemasonry, passed on September 7,1928 and raised to the sublime degree on October 5,1928. He was a member of Lodge xxxx No.756 EC, Lodge Sutlej No.1442 EC, Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC, Chapter St. John No.434 EC and Conclave Charles Little No.36 EC.

He was the first S.W. of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC and became Worshipful Master on November 15,1935. The next year he was IPM of the lodge and the following year he was the Secretary.

He resigned from Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC on July 16,1938

W. Bro. Abdulla Mohamaed Jaffer Mowla resided at Forbes Street, Bombay and was a merchant by profession.

He saw the light leading to freemasonry on October 20,1928, passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on November 17,1928 and raised on January 8,1929. He was also a member of Lodge Islam No.587 SC.

He was the first J.W. of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC and was S.W. the next year. He occupied the Chair of King Solomon on November 17,1936 and was IPM the following year.

He was not keeping good health and on June 12,1940 he was called to the Grand Lodge Above.

W. Bro. Subramanyam Krishna Iyer was the first Chaplin of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC. The details of his early life are not available. He was the manager of Nestles Milk. He resided at Carnac Building, Carnac Road, Bombay.

He was installed in Lodge Bhore Ghaut No.3465 EC on July 8,927. Passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason and was raised to become a master mason. He was a founder member of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC and officiated as J.W. from November 13,1935; S.W. from November 17,1936 and installed to the Eastern Chair in November 29,1937. The following year he was the IPM. He was not able to attend the lodge regularly thereafter, and was excluded.

Bro. Raghubar Datt Pant was born on November 18,1898 and spent his early life in Bombay. He was head of the dyeing, bleaching and printing department of the Standard Mills Company Limited. He resided at The Nook, Willingou West, Santacruz.

Initiated on June 13,1931, passed on July 11,1931 and raised on August 6,1931, he was the first S.D. of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC. He was also a member of Lodge Bhore Ghaut No.3465 EC. Due to ill health he resigned on June 9,1935 and was called to the Grand Lodge Above soon after he resigned.

W. Bro. Dr. Framroz Manekji Sethna was born in Bombay on May 24,1884. After his early education he joined Grant Medical College in Bombay and became a medical practitioner soon after. He resided at Wassiamul Building, Grant Road, Bombay. He was initiated into freemasonry in Lodge Bhoreghaut No.3465 EC on June 14,1930, passed on July 12,1930 he was raised to the sublime degree of a master mason on August 8,1930. He was a founder member of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC and was the first J.D. In quick time he became S.D; Chaplin; J.W; S.W. and was installed in the Eastern Chair on November 21,1939. The following year he was the IPM and though he did not take up any offices thereafter, he was always present to lend a hand at all times.

He was called to the Grand Lodge Above on March 27,1956.

Bro. Robert Hugh Middleton Born on September 16,1882 he was chief engineer to B.B.& C.I. railways general office, Bombay. He resided at 1-B, Imperial Mansions, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Bombay.

He was initiated into freemasonry on January 29,1916 when he became a member of Lodge FriendshipNo.2307 EC. He was passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on February 18,1916 and became a master mason on October 21,1918. He was also a member of Lodge Ajmer Gymkhana No.3796 EC, Lodge Tara No.419 IC, Chapter Ajmer No.307 EC, ChapterSt. George No.549 EC, Mark Lodge Koyaji No.645 EC, Mark Lodge Sandhurst No.514 EC. He joined Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC on January 12,1935.

Bro. Hugh was the first D of C of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC and continued for three years more. He was placed on the absent list from November 1937 and he resigned on November 30,1938.

RW Bro Homyar Dinshaw Dastoor

Rt. W. Bro. Dr. Homyar Dinshaw Dastoor was born in Bombay on June 24,1906. Completing his education in Bombay, he joined Grant Medical College to pursue his chosen career, Medicine. After qualifying, he specialised in Ophthalmology. Such was his application and devotion that he soon became professor of ophthalmology, Grant Medical College and head of the department of ophthalmic surgery at the Sir. J.J.Group of Hospitals. I was one of his students and can vouch for the fact that he was one of the most sought after teachers by students year after year. So good was he professionally, that he became the leading ophthalmic surgeon in the city of Bombay and retained this position for three decades.

Honours came to him unasked. He was the personal ophthalmic surgeon to the Governor of Bombay and later to the President of India. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan.

At the young age of 23 years he joined Lodge Zoraster No.800 EC and was raised to the sublime degree of master mason on March 3,1930. He was a founder and joining member of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC and was the first Secretary. In quick succession he became Chaplin; J.W; S.W. and on November 26,1938 he became the master of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC. The following year he was the IPM and then officiated as the D of C for the next seven years. He was an excellent ritualist, always taking considerable interest in the well governing of the lodge. He had read several papers on freemasonry.

As his professional commitments increased, he was not able to devote as much time to attend the regular meetings. However he was always present at the installation meetings and on November 17,1959 he once again became the S.W. of the lodge.

Following a short illness, patiently borne, Rt .W. Bro. Dr. Dastoor, P.M, P.Dy.G.M, P.S.R.G.W. was called to the Grand Lodge Above on November 14,1964.

Bro. Rustomji Ardeshir Wadia was the first I.G. of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC. He was born on

November 4,1884 and was the manager of The New Great Easterrn Spinning & Weaving Mills at Parel in Bombay. He resided at Currim Building, off London Hotel, Grant Road, Bombay.

He saw the light of freemasonry on November 4,1922 when he was initiated. Passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on December 9,1922 and raised on March 3,1923. He was a member of Lodge Haig Brown No.3829 EC and Lodge Sorhab Bharucha No.1363 SC. He was appointed S.D. on November 15,1935; Organist on November 26,1938; and Steward on November 15,1949.

He resigned from the lodge on January 21,1951.

Bro. Claude H. Klein Not much information is available except he that he was a Superintendent of Police and that he resided at the Lamington Road Police Quarters.

He was initiated on June 12,1919 and was a member of Lodge Research No.3184 EC. He joined Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC at its concecration and was the first Almoner of the lodge.

He resigned from the lodge on July 3,1936.

Bro. John Leo Mulvaney was a architect and surveyor by profession and resided on Esplanade Road, Bombay. He was initiated into freemasonry on March 7,1925 and was the first Organist of the lodge. He was also a member of Lodge Conought No.2940 EC, Lodge Gymkhana No.3796 EC and Lodge Ebute Meeta No.3973 EC (Nigeria).

He resigned from the Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC on June 26,1936.

Bro. Hatimbhoy Essufally Shums was born on November 26,1886 in Bombay. He was a merchant having his business at 165/67 Nagdevi Street. He resided at Aloo Villa, Laburnum Road, Gamdevi, Bombay.

He was initiated in Lodge Islam No.587 SC on March 18,1922, was passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on June 17,1922 and raised to the sublime degree of master mason on July, 15,1922. He was a joining member. He was the first Steward of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC and continued to officiate in the same capacity for the next two years.

He resigned from the lodge on December 19,1039.

Bro. Jamshedji Shivakshav Daruwalla was the first Asst. Secretary of our lodge. He was born on July 20,1894 and was a salesman merchant by profession. His residence was at Madhav Mansion, Lamington Road, Bombay.

He was initiated into freemasonry on January 25,1926, passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on March 25,1927 and became a master mason on April 24,1927. He was a member of Lodge Bombay No.648 IC, Lodge Royal Thistle Midlothian No.1388 SC and Lodge Cyrus No.1389 EC.

He resigned from Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC on May 5,1935.

Bro. Andrew Todd was born on December 31,1891. He was a wine merchant with Phipsons and Co. Ltd, Calcutta. The dates of initiation and passing are not available. He was raised on October 31,1917. He was a member of The Oswald of Dunnikier Lodge No.468 SC and Lodge Scots No.828 SC. Joining Lodge Reginald

Spence No.5144 EC in January 1935 he was the first Asst. Secretary. Though very active, he was put on the absent list because of ill healh.

He was called to the Grand Lodge Above on December 27,1939.

Bro.Themurasp Framjee Dharwar was one of the first two Stewards of Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC. He was born on August 25,1897 and was a signals inspector B.B. & C.I. Railway. He resided at Petit's Bungalow 38, Tardeo Road, Bombay.

He was initiated in Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC on December 12,1931. In the same lodge he was passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason on January 25,1932 and became a master mason on March 12,1932. He joined Lodge Reginald Spence No.5144 EC on August 16,1935 and took up the office of Steward on November 15,1935.

Bro. Dharwar resigned from our lodge on August 11,1938.

There were other brethren who were closely associated with our lodge in the early years of its formation.

None of these brethren took up active offices but were prominent in the part they played in establishing our lodge. These brethren were:

Bro. RAMJI AMRATLAL MAKWANA was a joining member from Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC.

Bro. DAVID SHELLIEM was initiated on September 10,1901 and was a member of Lodge St. Andrews, Freebridge No.183 SC (later became No.139 SC).

Bro. CHANDRAPRASAD TRIKAMLAL LAKIA a solicitor by profession, initiated on August 24,1931 in Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC.

Bro. YUSUF HAJI BHABHA a shipping agent residing at 113, Cadell Road was initiated in Lodge Bhore Ghaut No.3465 EC. He was called to the Grand Lodge Above on January 18,1939.

Bro. NARAYANDAS BHAGWANDAS resided at Mathew Road, Bombay. Initiated in Lodge Islam No.587 SC he was Almoner of our lodge for a few months.

Bro. RUSTOM JAMASJI UMRIGAR. A wine merchant , passed all three degrees from Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC. He was called to the Grand Lodge Above on February 27, XXXX

Bro. MINOCHER NADURSHAW BILIMORIA, insurance agent, embraced freemasonry in Lodge Cyrus No.1359 EC and was raised to the sublime degree of master mason on September 29,1930.

Bro. JAMSHEDJI KOLABHOY GUZDAR was a traveling agent for wines. Initiated on December 22,1928 in Lodge Deolali No.3710 EC. He joined Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC in January 1936.

Bro. Dr. HANSEB ELMER CORNELIUS, was a dental surgeon. Joined the lodge from Lodge Truth No.944

EC.

Bro. LEONARD ALEXANDER STRONACH, managing director of L.A.Stronach and Co., a joining member from Lodge Truth No.944 EC, was initiated into freemasonry on December 4,1923

Bro. MAKANJI JUTHABHAI MEHTA, bar at law, was a joining member from Lodge Islam No.587 SC. He was initiated into freemasonry on October 20,1928.

Bro. WILLIAM JOHN WELLS born on April 13,1899, was manager Cutler Palms & Co. Bombay, residing at Sagarmal Cottege, Malabar Hill. He was initiated into freemasonry on February 6,1928. He was also a member, the Hope of Kurachee Lodge No.337 SC and Lodge Scots No.828 SC.

Bro. WILLIAM ARTHUR CHARLES BROMHAM was born on August 9,1885. He was the chief engineer, the Bombay Telephone Co. Ltd. He resided at Heliopolis, Colaba, Bombay. Initiated on June 6,1913 he was also associated with Lodge Union No.767 EC, Lodge St. George No.549 EC, Lodge Gymkhana No.3796 EC, Lodge Cornwallis No.5062, Lodge Hiram No.1784 EC and Lodge Justice and Peace No.5442 EC. He joined Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 on February 2,1935.

Bro. RICHARD PRESTON was initiated into freemasonry on August 30,1930. He was a member of Lodge St.

George No.549 EC. He was passed to the degree of fellowcraft freemason in December 1930 and was raised on March 19,1931. He joined Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC on February 15,1935. He was managing director of Herbertson and Co. Ltd.

Bro. DAMODAR DWARKADAS MEHTA, the first Asst. D of C of our lodge, was born on February 6,1897. He was the asst. manager Government Central Press and resided at Janmashtami Building, Khetwadi Main Road. He embraced freemasonry on February 15,1935, was passed on April 29,1935 and raised to the sublime degree of master mason on June 11,1935. He resigned from the lodge on December 20,1960.

Bro. FREDRICK HESSLING was born on December 22,1888. He grew up to be the technical and mechanical engineer of Messrs W. H. Brady & Co. Ltd, Royal Insurance Building, Fort, Bombay. He joined Lodge Reginald Spence No.5514 EC on March 15,1935. He was also a member of Lodge Renfrew County, Kilwinning No.370 SC, Lodge Marine No.232 EC and Lodge Concord No.757 EC

Bro. NARRIMAN SORABJI PATEL was born on July 23,1898 and was reborn into freemasonry on March 3,1935. He was raised to the degree of master mason on July 17,1935. He was an importer and exporter by profession. He resided at Gool Villa, 802 Parsi Colony, Dadar