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Article PRESENTATION TO BRO. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. ← Page 2 of 2 Article PRESENTATION TO BRO. LORD CHARLES BERESFORD. Page 2 of 2
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Presentation To Bro. Lord Charles Beresford.
reflected great credit on those noble men over whom he commanded . He returned his best thanks to those officers who had worked for him during his year of office , and more particularly so to Bro . Townsend , P . M ., who had done his lordship ' s duty during his year as W . M . That year was a difficult one , it being the first year of the existence of that lodge , and the brethren could
now see the state in which the lodge had arrived . It was second to none in the kingdom . He was not entitled to the reception he had received . He might say that brotherly affection was always shown to him on every occasion . He would like to say more , but His lordship took his seat quite overcome , and amidst great applause and cheers .
Bro . Lord CHARLES BERESFORD said , although it was not in accordance with the rules , he had been allowed to make a proposition , which would be brought forward at the next meeting . Her Majesty ' s own son , the Duke of Connaught , was shortly coming home , and he proposed that an address be presented to him . His Royal Highness was an honorary member of the
lodge , and did it the honour to be present at its opening . He had gone out to risk his life for his Queen'and country . From personal observations , his lordship had noticed , with a great interest , that he took care the men under his command had all the comforts that were possible . The W . M . seconded the motion . The lodge was then closed in due form .
Fifty-seven brethren then adjourned to the banqueting room , and partook of a recherche banquet provided by Bro . W . Maybour , upon whom great credit reflected . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and responded to , and , in response to " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master and Officers , " Bro . TOWNSEND , P . M ., P . G . Deacon , said that nothing short of Parliamentary duties prevented the Prov . Grand Master and his officers attending . The W . M . said that the next toast he had the pleasure of bringing to the notice of the brethren was one that he felt sure would be drunk with
great enthusiasm . When he mentioned the name of their distinguished Bro . the I . P . M ., Lord Charles Bereslord , it was quite sufficient to ensure a hearty response . ( Loud cheers . ) No words of his could increase their estimation of his deeds , which had gained world-wide fame and further honoured the illustrious name he bore . ( Applause . ) He ( the VV . M . ) felt sure the Masonic body had reason to be proud of having such a brother amongst them . It was matter of indifference to his lordship whether it was on sea or land , as long as he could face the enemy ; and his conduct before
Alexandria not only commended his name to the heart of every Englishman , but made " all the world wonder . " They were reminded of a well-known poem , and when they asked , " Was there a man dismayed ? " they could say there was not one on board that little Condor . England need not fear for her prestige while she had such gallant leaders as Bro . Lord Charles Beresford . ( Applause . ) The W . M- concluded by asking the brethren to drink heartily to the toast , and pray that his lordship might be spared for many , many years to be amongst them . ( Loud applause . )
Bro . Lord CHARLES BERESFOKD thanked the W . AL for the way he had proposed the toast , and thc brethren for their enthusiastic reception . When speaking in lodge he felt a lump in his throat , and was quite overcome , and was unable to speak . Now he felt all right and could speak , which was perhaps on account of having a good dinner . ( Laughter . ) The navy had very many opportunities of appreciating the good part of war . That was
a good hearty English cheer and welcome to them . It was worth fighting for when their fellow countrymen turned out to welcome them on their return , and cheered theni as they marched along . The navy did not have any of that ; for after the war was over the officers and men were ordered on board their respective ships , except those who were unlucky enough to get promoted and sent home —( laughter)—and go through the usual routines of sentry ,
scrubbing decks , & c . They were very irksome duties then , but still it had to be done . Jack , and his dear old friends Joe , as they called the Marines —( laughter)—knew all this ; but they all knew that the people at home thought of them just as much , although they were not present to participate in their generosity and welcome . The reception of to-night was appreciated by those abroad as it was by him , because it was a compliment to them through
him . He would like , if he was not tiring his hearers , to relate a few circumstances connected with the war . ( Hear , and applause . ) Well , he would—as they say on board ship—" spin them a yarn . " ( Laughter . ) Those present all knew how they in Alexandria went on shore . There was an emeute amongst the natives . They were severely beaten , and they got off to ship , with one or two exceptions , who were
barbarously murdered . It was Providence how they got off at all . Then there was the bombardment of Alexandria on the nth August . There was great excitement in the fleet , and he must say the natives fought gallantly for seven hours . So long as their guns were not touched they remained at their post . They really were plucky . Fortunately , he was only hit once ; that was
because he was not an ironclad and so big a target . Our lads stuck to their guns wonderfully well , and were all so cool and collected . As evidence of the pluck of our men , a poor boy , whose foot was shot off , hopped on one leg to the sick-bay , and , holding up his foot , said , " Look what Arabi ' s done for me ! " ( Laughter . ) It was the same in the sister service * , for the Highlanders at Tel-el-Kebir—so he was told—in their death struggle told the
others not to care for them , as they would take care of themselves , but go in and win . They were proud of such men fighting for their Queen and country . His lordship and men were at Ras-el-Tin Palace , guarding the Khedive ; it required great tact and judgment . There were 230 Arabs supposed to be loyal to the Khedive . Jack and Joe , however , were suspicious of them , and kept their eyes open . The first man they arrested on suspicion was a judge .
( Loud laughter . ) That was very creditable on thc part of thc man who arrested him . ( Laughter . ) Amongst other duties , the blue jackets were called upon to do heavy work , in slinging horses and mules for landing . He saw one man violently kicked in the slomach . For some time he could not speak , but when he did , he said , " I hope that banimal will treat Arabee in the same way . " ( Loud laughter . ) At Ismalia they had done some very
dirty work , and had worked like really good men in a very hot sun , and never growled a growl . His lordship then described the ironclad train , and s . tid what a capital thing it was . Capt , Fisher , the inventor , was so jealous that the sister service would take thc credit , he hoisted a pennant on each truck , and thus made it a man-of-war in commission , lighting- on shore . He thought Admiral Hoskins had not received half enough credit for the way
in which he had managed the Suez Canal , and the taking of Port Said . His lordship , who passed through a few hours after the taking of the canal , said he was surprised at the regular way in _ which things were going on . Wilh regard lo their dear old Admiral , Sir B . Seymour , he certainly deserved the credit he had received for the way in which he organised the ships and put them into action upon thc forts were admirable . He was
Presentation To Bro. Lord Charles Beresford.
proud for the manner in which the blue jackets marched past at Cairo . He was told this by an officer of the sister service , and he was pleased to hear such a report from that service . The men were from six different ships , and it reflected more credit upon them . The next , who were second to none , were our good old friends the Marines . An officer of the Guards had told him how splendidly the Marines had turned out , as though they were on Southsea
Common . They fought well in the ironclad train as well . The only thing they all did not like was having to go off to their ships . Mind you , it was quite right ; he did not for one moment say otherwise . But they thought it very hard that in two hours they all had to return on board . He would now turn to the Marines , who were also a branch of the Navy . They did not belong to the Army . At Alexandria he had very troublesome duties to and
perforin , thc Marines assisted him . For eight days they never took off their boots , doing constant duty from morn till night . They held through it , and few went sick . His lordship then described a curious case that he would never forget . A sergeant of Marines , who was enormously fat and gallant , had gone too far to the front in one of the reconnaissances from Meks . He was pursued by about thirty of Arabi ' s cavalry , and they saw the dearold fellow
, " legging it like a hare , " and whenever he got a cartridge in his rifle , turning round and firing . They got in an ambuscade , and with a little gun saved the " fat , old sergeant . " ( Laughter . ) They were so afraid he would have been lost , as the enemy were only about thirty yards behind him . Nothing was more beautiful than the behaviour of the Marines on the 5 th August . They went further than they were told , and under a
heavy shower of powder and shot retired , in companies , as regular and composed as though they were marching on Southsea Common . It was really splendid . The General himself spoke lo them afterwards about it . His lordship then referred to the sister service , and said nothing could have been better handled . The plan of attack was splendid , and was timed to ten minutes . If they had been fifteen minutes late it would have been no good . The at TelelKebir
charge -- was grand , and they could not say enough in praise of the brave men who made it . The Household Cavalry— " who are supposed to be Piccadilly fellows , don't you know "—were entitled to great praise for what they did , and not allowing what might have happened . That good old English pluck had not died out . There was some lessons to be learned from the war , and one was that the transport and medical departments required looking into . He would not say what he sawbut he hoped a
, committee would be appointed to enquire into it . Another lesson was the value of machine guns , and he gave some very interesting instances . His lordship said he would like to propose a toast—that grand old corps , whether on sea or shore , or , as his countrymen would put it , " where the divil ever they are " —( laughter)—always do well— " The Royal Marines . " ( Applause . ) He trusted it would never be thought of again , whether in or out of office
, to do away with the corps of Royal Marines . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Colour-Sergeant Holdstock , who was mentioned in despatches of August 5 th . ( Longand continued applause . ) Bro . HOLDSTOCK , who was heartily received , said he felt more peculiar then than when in E gypt in front of the enemy . ( Laughter . ) He went out with the first batch of Marines but
was too late for the bombardment . There was plenty of work for them on their arrival , amidst which was our noble lord and brother , who was always at work , and often in his shirt sleeves . He would like to say a lot about his lordship , but not whilst he was present . He would say , however , that he would follow him anywhere . Not only himself but the whole corps . To the men his lordship is known as "Charlie . " ( Laughter . ) . Well
they were all proud to serve under him . After a while they were shipped on a coal barge and taken off to Ismalia . Bro . the Duke of Connaught has been referred to by the last speaker as looking after his men . At Ismalia he looked after the Marines as well ; when they only had biscuits and water he sent them meat . The Household Cavalry were also attentive
to them and kind , and if anyone should say anything derogative to him about them they would have to answer for it . ( Laughter . ) Bro . Holdstock then described thefinal charge and again returned thanks . The W . M . proposed the health of the newl y initiates , and Bros . Rogers and Reader returned thanks .
Bro' -Lord CHARLES BERESFORD said that he considered it an honour to be called upon to propose the next toast . It was that of the "VV . M ., Bro . Page . " ( Cheers and Applause . ) The W . M . was one of the founders , and with Bros Townsend and A . L . Emanuel , were , what the sailors would say , " the main stay . " Those three had brought the lodge to the perfection it was . They all saw how abl y Bro . Page had conducted the working .
Bro . PAGE , VV . M ., said he felt in a fearful fog . He could not find words adequate to thank the brethren . He was , indeed , proud of his work and of the lodge . Bro . Page was quite overcome , and said his tongue would not express what his heart felt . Bro . S . G . BOURKE , R . W . P . M ., proposed the health of Bro . Admiral Sir Harry Keppel .
Bro . Sir H . KEFFKL , who rose amidst great cheers , said , he wished he was vested with the power to call the brethren to order for making such a row . ( Laughter . ) They had assembled there to honour Charlie Beresford , and not an old fellow like the speaker , who was on the " oakum" list . ( Laughter . ) He was the first means of his lordship gaining his first step , and was proud it was so . He was the speaker ' s
flairlieutenant at Plymouth . He could be taught nothing , but he could teach Sir Harry a great deal . ( Laughter . ) What Lord Charlie did , he did well . He had alluded to a man working his way up . Well , Charlie began very early to work his way up . ( Laughter . ) As a midshipman he succeeded in cutting out the coat-of-arms from a certain Consulate , and for which clever piece of work hc was placed under arrest . He got on , and especially so at Plymouth , where he thought of stone wall
nothing leaping a , and even to unhinging a turnpike gate . He gained the love and affection of every one . They heard it said something about a war correspondent being on board the Condor . There were three gents talking in the Marlborough Club last week , one of them being Dr . Russell , the famous editor . They said , " No wonder we hear so much about Charlie Beresford , when he has got Johnny Russell on board . " Johnny Russell turned round and said , " No , that is not true , for Johnny ' s here . " Sir Harry again thanked them very cordially .
The W . M . proposed "The Visitors , " which was " responded to by Bro . Brickwood , W . M ., 342 , and the oflicers of the lodge , and referred to his two deacons travelling—one from Lincoln and the other from Chatham on purpose to be there . Bro . J OHNS returned thanks . During the evening some capital songs were sung by Bros . Sylvester , Pearce , Latham , Cox , Wonhani , Brickwood and P . H . Emanuel .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Presentation To Bro. Lord Charles Beresford.
reflected great credit on those noble men over whom he commanded . He returned his best thanks to those officers who had worked for him during his year of office , and more particularly so to Bro . Townsend , P . M ., who had done his lordship ' s duty during his year as W . M . That year was a difficult one , it being the first year of the existence of that lodge , and the brethren could
now see the state in which the lodge had arrived . It was second to none in the kingdom . He was not entitled to the reception he had received . He might say that brotherly affection was always shown to him on every occasion . He would like to say more , but His lordship took his seat quite overcome , and amidst great applause and cheers .
Bro . Lord CHARLES BERESFORD said , although it was not in accordance with the rules , he had been allowed to make a proposition , which would be brought forward at the next meeting . Her Majesty ' s own son , the Duke of Connaught , was shortly coming home , and he proposed that an address be presented to him . His Royal Highness was an honorary member of the
lodge , and did it the honour to be present at its opening . He had gone out to risk his life for his Queen'and country . From personal observations , his lordship had noticed , with a great interest , that he took care the men under his command had all the comforts that were possible . The W . M . seconded the motion . The lodge was then closed in due form .
Fifty-seven brethren then adjourned to the banqueting room , and partook of a recherche banquet provided by Bro . W . Maybour , upon whom great credit reflected . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and responded to , and , in response to " The Health of the Provincial Grand Master and Officers , " Bro . TOWNSEND , P . M ., P . G . Deacon , said that nothing short of Parliamentary duties prevented the Prov . Grand Master and his officers attending . The W . M . said that the next toast he had the pleasure of bringing to the notice of the brethren was one that he felt sure would be drunk with
great enthusiasm . When he mentioned the name of their distinguished Bro . the I . P . M ., Lord Charles Bereslord , it was quite sufficient to ensure a hearty response . ( Loud cheers . ) No words of his could increase their estimation of his deeds , which had gained world-wide fame and further honoured the illustrious name he bore . ( Applause . ) He ( the VV . M . ) felt sure the Masonic body had reason to be proud of having such a brother amongst them . It was matter of indifference to his lordship whether it was on sea or land , as long as he could face the enemy ; and his conduct before
Alexandria not only commended his name to the heart of every Englishman , but made " all the world wonder . " They were reminded of a well-known poem , and when they asked , " Was there a man dismayed ? " they could say there was not one on board that little Condor . England need not fear for her prestige while she had such gallant leaders as Bro . Lord Charles Beresford . ( Applause . ) The W . M- concluded by asking the brethren to drink heartily to the toast , and pray that his lordship might be spared for many , many years to be amongst them . ( Loud applause . )
Bro . Lord CHARLES BERESFOKD thanked the W . AL for the way he had proposed the toast , and thc brethren for their enthusiastic reception . When speaking in lodge he felt a lump in his throat , and was quite overcome , and was unable to speak . Now he felt all right and could speak , which was perhaps on account of having a good dinner . ( Laughter . ) The navy had very many opportunities of appreciating the good part of war . That was
a good hearty English cheer and welcome to them . It was worth fighting for when their fellow countrymen turned out to welcome them on their return , and cheered theni as they marched along . The navy did not have any of that ; for after the war was over the officers and men were ordered on board their respective ships , except those who were unlucky enough to get promoted and sent home —( laughter)—and go through the usual routines of sentry ,
scrubbing decks , & c . They were very irksome duties then , but still it had to be done . Jack , and his dear old friends Joe , as they called the Marines —( laughter)—knew all this ; but they all knew that the people at home thought of them just as much , although they were not present to participate in their generosity and welcome . The reception of to-night was appreciated by those abroad as it was by him , because it was a compliment to them through
him . He would like , if he was not tiring his hearers , to relate a few circumstances connected with the war . ( Hear , and applause . ) Well , he would—as they say on board ship—" spin them a yarn . " ( Laughter . ) Those present all knew how they in Alexandria went on shore . There was an emeute amongst the natives . They were severely beaten , and they got off to ship , with one or two exceptions , who were
barbarously murdered . It was Providence how they got off at all . Then there was the bombardment of Alexandria on the nth August . There was great excitement in the fleet , and he must say the natives fought gallantly for seven hours . So long as their guns were not touched they remained at their post . They really were plucky . Fortunately , he was only hit once ; that was
because he was not an ironclad and so big a target . Our lads stuck to their guns wonderfully well , and were all so cool and collected . As evidence of the pluck of our men , a poor boy , whose foot was shot off , hopped on one leg to the sick-bay , and , holding up his foot , said , " Look what Arabi ' s done for me ! " ( Laughter . ) It was the same in the sister service * , for the Highlanders at Tel-el-Kebir—so he was told—in their death struggle told the
others not to care for them , as they would take care of themselves , but go in and win . They were proud of such men fighting for their Queen and country . His lordship and men were at Ras-el-Tin Palace , guarding the Khedive ; it required great tact and judgment . There were 230 Arabs supposed to be loyal to the Khedive . Jack and Joe , however , were suspicious of them , and kept their eyes open . The first man they arrested on suspicion was a judge .
( Loud laughter . ) That was very creditable on thc part of thc man who arrested him . ( Laughter . ) Amongst other duties , the blue jackets were called upon to do heavy work , in slinging horses and mules for landing . He saw one man violently kicked in the slomach . For some time he could not speak , but when he did , he said , " I hope that banimal will treat Arabee in the same way . " ( Loud laughter . ) At Ismalia they had done some very
dirty work , and had worked like really good men in a very hot sun , and never growled a growl . His lordship then described the ironclad train , and s . tid what a capital thing it was . Capt , Fisher , the inventor , was so jealous that the sister service would take thc credit , he hoisted a pennant on each truck , and thus made it a man-of-war in commission , lighting- on shore . He thought Admiral Hoskins had not received half enough credit for the way
in which he had managed the Suez Canal , and the taking of Port Said . His lordship , who passed through a few hours after the taking of the canal , said he was surprised at the regular way in _ which things were going on . Wilh regard lo their dear old Admiral , Sir B . Seymour , he certainly deserved the credit he had received for the way in which he organised the ships and put them into action upon thc forts were admirable . He was
Presentation To Bro. Lord Charles Beresford.
proud for the manner in which the blue jackets marched past at Cairo . He was told this by an officer of the sister service , and he was pleased to hear such a report from that service . The men were from six different ships , and it reflected more credit upon them . The next , who were second to none , were our good old friends the Marines . An officer of the Guards had told him how splendidly the Marines had turned out , as though they were on Southsea
Common . They fought well in the ironclad train as well . The only thing they all did not like was having to go off to their ships . Mind you , it was quite right ; he did not for one moment say otherwise . But they thought it very hard that in two hours they all had to return on board . He would now turn to the Marines , who were also a branch of the Navy . They did not belong to the Army . At Alexandria he had very troublesome duties to and
perforin , thc Marines assisted him . For eight days they never took off their boots , doing constant duty from morn till night . They held through it , and few went sick . His lordship then described a curious case that he would never forget . A sergeant of Marines , who was enormously fat and gallant , had gone too far to the front in one of the reconnaissances from Meks . He was pursued by about thirty of Arabi ' s cavalry , and they saw the dearold fellow
, " legging it like a hare , " and whenever he got a cartridge in his rifle , turning round and firing . They got in an ambuscade , and with a little gun saved the " fat , old sergeant . " ( Laughter . ) They were so afraid he would have been lost , as the enemy were only about thirty yards behind him . Nothing was more beautiful than the behaviour of the Marines on the 5 th August . They went further than they were told , and under a
heavy shower of powder and shot retired , in companies , as regular and composed as though they were marching on Southsea Common . It was really splendid . The General himself spoke lo them afterwards about it . His lordship then referred to the sister service , and said nothing could have been better handled . The plan of attack was splendid , and was timed to ten minutes . If they had been fifteen minutes late it would have been no good . The at TelelKebir
charge -- was grand , and they could not say enough in praise of the brave men who made it . The Household Cavalry— " who are supposed to be Piccadilly fellows , don't you know "—were entitled to great praise for what they did , and not allowing what might have happened . That good old English pluck had not died out . There was some lessons to be learned from the war , and one was that the transport and medical departments required looking into . He would not say what he sawbut he hoped a
, committee would be appointed to enquire into it . Another lesson was the value of machine guns , and he gave some very interesting instances . His lordship said he would like to propose a toast—that grand old corps , whether on sea or shore , or , as his countrymen would put it , " where the divil ever they are " —( laughter)—always do well— " The Royal Marines . " ( Applause . ) He trusted it would never be thought of again , whether in or out of office
, to do away with the corps of Royal Marines . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Colour-Sergeant Holdstock , who was mentioned in despatches of August 5 th . ( Longand continued applause . ) Bro . HOLDSTOCK , who was heartily received , said he felt more peculiar then than when in E gypt in front of the enemy . ( Laughter . ) He went out with the first batch of Marines but
was too late for the bombardment . There was plenty of work for them on their arrival , amidst which was our noble lord and brother , who was always at work , and often in his shirt sleeves . He would like to say a lot about his lordship , but not whilst he was present . He would say , however , that he would follow him anywhere . Not only himself but the whole corps . To the men his lordship is known as "Charlie . " ( Laughter . ) . Well
they were all proud to serve under him . After a while they were shipped on a coal barge and taken off to Ismalia . Bro . the Duke of Connaught has been referred to by the last speaker as looking after his men . At Ismalia he looked after the Marines as well ; when they only had biscuits and water he sent them meat . The Household Cavalry were also attentive
to them and kind , and if anyone should say anything derogative to him about them they would have to answer for it . ( Laughter . ) Bro . Holdstock then described thefinal charge and again returned thanks . The W . M . proposed the health of the newl y initiates , and Bros . Rogers and Reader returned thanks .
Bro' -Lord CHARLES BERESFORD said that he considered it an honour to be called upon to propose the next toast . It was that of the "VV . M ., Bro . Page . " ( Cheers and Applause . ) The W . M . was one of the founders , and with Bros Townsend and A . L . Emanuel , were , what the sailors would say , " the main stay . " Those three had brought the lodge to the perfection it was . They all saw how abl y Bro . Page had conducted the working .
Bro . PAGE , VV . M ., said he felt in a fearful fog . He could not find words adequate to thank the brethren . He was , indeed , proud of his work and of the lodge . Bro . Page was quite overcome , and said his tongue would not express what his heart felt . Bro . S . G . BOURKE , R . W . P . M ., proposed the health of Bro . Admiral Sir Harry Keppel .
Bro . Sir H . KEFFKL , who rose amidst great cheers , said , he wished he was vested with the power to call the brethren to order for making such a row . ( Laughter . ) They had assembled there to honour Charlie Beresford , and not an old fellow like the speaker , who was on the " oakum" list . ( Laughter . ) He was the first means of his lordship gaining his first step , and was proud it was so . He was the speaker ' s
flairlieutenant at Plymouth . He could be taught nothing , but he could teach Sir Harry a great deal . ( Laughter . ) What Lord Charlie did , he did well . He had alluded to a man working his way up . Well , Charlie began very early to work his way up . ( Laughter . ) As a midshipman he succeeded in cutting out the coat-of-arms from a certain Consulate , and for which clever piece of work hc was placed under arrest . He got on , and especially so at Plymouth , where he thought of stone wall
nothing leaping a , and even to unhinging a turnpike gate . He gained the love and affection of every one . They heard it said something about a war correspondent being on board the Condor . There were three gents talking in the Marlborough Club last week , one of them being Dr . Russell , the famous editor . They said , " No wonder we hear so much about Charlie Beresford , when he has got Johnny Russell on board . " Johnny Russell turned round and said , " No , that is not true , for Johnny ' s here . " Sir Harry again thanked them very cordially .
The W . M . proposed "The Visitors , " which was " responded to by Bro . Brickwood , W . M ., 342 , and the oflicers of the lodge , and referred to his two deacons travelling—one from Lincoln and the other from Chatham on purpose to be there . Bro . J OHNS returned thanks . During the evening some capital songs were sung by Bros . Sylvester , Pearce , Latham , Cox , Wonhani , Brickwood and P . H . Emanuel .