Deceased Brethren
Allan Robert Bell
(11 April 1885 – 24 May 1915)
Temple Lodge, No.33 records show Alan Robert Bell, born 1885; occupation: surveyor; residence, Duncan, B.C., was proposed for membership in Temple Lodge, No.33 by Brother George Franklin Tautz and Worshipful Brother William Mourdant Dwyer. A favourable ballot was held on 8 April 1913 and Brother Bell became a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 by Initiation.
A petition from Allan Robert Bell was received at the Regular Communication of 11 March 1913 “for membership in Temple Lodge, No. 33 by Initiation.” According to the Lodge Minute Book, “the applicant states that he was born at Surbiton, England on April 11th, 1885, age 27 years. Resides at Duncan. Occupation: articled pupil surveyor. (He was articled to Brother Herbert Naden Clague, also a member of Temple Lodge.) An investigating Committee was appointed, comprised of W. Bro. Charles Sillence, Bro. Kenneth Forrest Duncan and Bro. John Henry Peterson.
Brother Bell received his Entered Apprentice degree on 24 April 1913, was Passed to a Fellow Craft on 18 November 1913 and Raised to a Master Mason on 24 February 1914.
[Source: Temple Lodge, No.33 records.]
He enlisted in the Canadian military in the First World War and was killed in action on 24 May 1915.
Here is the local newspaper report of Brother Bell’s death:
“Private Alan Robert Bell, 7th Battalion, killed in action, (June 18 list) was born near Surbiton, England, and was just 30 years of age. He was educated at Bradford College and came out to Canada in 1910. He worked on a ranch near Millarville, Alberta, for some time and later came to Duncan, where he was articled to Mr. H.N. Clague, surveyor in April 1912.
He joined the 88th Regiment last fall, immediately after returning from his summer`s work on Nootka Island, and went to the front with the 30th Battalion reinforcements to the 7th Battalion. He had many friends in Cowichan and was esteemed by all who knew or worked with him.”
[Source: Cowichan Leader, 24 June 1915]
Here is a link to Commonwealth War Graves Commission Information On Brother Alan Robert Bell.
Here is some more information on Brother Alan Robert Bell from Temple Lodge, No.33 records:
“….Bro. Clague announced that he had heard that Bro. Bell, now serving in His Majesty’s forces, was ill in some hospital in Ottawa. The Secretary was instructed to send a night lettergram to some Lodge in Ottawa, Ont. asking them to call upon Bro Bell….”
Source: Temple Lodge Minute Book, Emergent Meeting of 23 February 1915
“…..The Wor. Master announced that it again became his painful duty to inform the Brethren of the Death of another Member of this Lodge that of Bro. Alan Robert Bell who had been killed in action, in Northern France, while fighting with His Majesty’s forces and he ordered the Lodge draped in mourning for a period of sixty days.
Moved by W. Bro. J.H. Peterson seconded by Bro. Clague that a page of the Minute Book be set aside in memory of our late Bro. Alan Robert Bell who was killed in action while fighting with His Majesty’s forces in France. The motion was carried……..”
Source: Temple Lodge Minute Book, Emergent Meeting of 22 June 1915
“In Memory
This page of the Minute Book is set aside
In Memory of our Late Brother Alan Robert Bell
Who was
Born at Surbiton, England Apl. 11th 1885
Elected to become a Member of Temple Lodge No. 33 Apl. 8th 1913
Initiated Apl. 24th 1913
Passed Nov. 18th 1913
and
Raised Feby. 24th 1914
And who was Killed in Action, while fighting
With His Majesty’s forces in Northern France
June 1915”
Source: Temple Lodge Minute Book #2, page 151, Emergent Meeting of 22 June 1915
Note: We will do more research on Brother Bell and post this information as it becomes available.
Cenotaph, Charles Hoey Park, Duncan, B.C. The names of four Brethren of Temple Lodge, No.33 appear on the Cenotaph. [Photo: Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian]Would you like to leave a comment or question about anything on this page?