Vancouver Island Masonic History Project
Vancouver Island Cemeteries – Masonic Interments

William Haynes (-1920) was a member of Vancouver & Quadra Lodge No.2 in Victoria. He became a Freemason in Victoria in 1866. He came to Victoria in 1859 as bandmaster of the Royal Engineers.

Here is his obituary in the local newspaper:

“VETERAN BANDMASTER ANSWERS LAST CALL

William Haynes, Who Arrived With Royal Engineers in 1859, Passed Away Yesterday – Well Known Musician

Mr. William Haynes, professor of music, who came to British Columbia on the clipper ship “Thames City“, Capt. Glover,  as bandmaster of the Royal Engineers, died yesterday at 5:45 a.m. at his home, 1008 Pakington Street, after a lengthy illness.

The Royal Engineers were under the command of Capt. H.R. Luard, R.E., and they arrived at Esquimalt on April 12, 1859. Mr. Haynes went with the corps to Sapperton, New Westminster, where he remained until 1864, afterwards returning to Victoria.

He was also the bandmaster of the Volunteers in the early days of the Victoria Rifles and the 5th Regiment. Only one of the Royal Engineers arriving on the same vessel as the late Mr. Haynes is now living – Mr. John Cox, of Victoria.

Mr. Haynes was an active member of Vancouver and Quadra Lodge No. 2 A.F. & A.M., having become a member in 1866., and he was the oldest member of that Lodge. He was born in Sevenoaks, Kent, England on November 6, 1835, and is survived by a widow, three daughters and five sons, and a number of grand and great-grandchildren,  all living in British Columbia.

The funeral will be held under the auspices of Vancouver and Quadra Lodge, No. 2, A.F. & A.M. on Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock, from the Hayward Undertaking Parlors.”

(Source: Daily Colonist, 23 July 1920, page 7)

Here is a map showing the location of William Haynes’ house (now demolished – in June 1971) at 1008 Pakington Street:


William Haynes is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C. (G.68.14.W). We will get a photo of his grave in the near future.

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