Records of Fortitude Lodge U.D., Chungking, China, 1942-07-16 to 1946-06-07

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Summary

Title:
Records of Fortitude Lodge U.D., Chungking, China
Dates:
1942-07-16 to 1946-06-07
Creators:
Lloyd E. Wilson George A. Fitch Morris B. DePass John H. Paxton Fortitude Lodge, U.D. Grand Lodge of California
Abstract:
Extent:
1/2 linear feet (1 Hollinger box containing 11 folders).
Language:
Preferred citation:

Records of Fortitude Lodge U.D., Chungking, China. Henry W. Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Background

Scope and content:

The records document the inception, management, and dissolution of Fortitude Lodge U.D. of Chungking, China from 1942 through 1946 during World War II, under the governance of the Grand Lodge of California. Records include correspondence between Fortitude lodge and the Grand Lodge of California, between Masonic figures in the United States; photographs of Fortitude Lodge and members; historical records; courtesy member degrees; and other administrative masonic documents such as a roster of charter members, booklets of the Constitution and By-Laws, statements of payments made to the Grand Lodge, and the signed Dispensation. The historical records summarize the attempts of the proposed Fortitude Lodge, a gathering of Master Masons of local and foreign nationalities, many of whom were American government and military service members, to formally establish in Chungking. Initial appeals were made to the Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands. This was unsuccessful due to communication difficulties of wartime, such that they instead contacted the Grand Lodge of California for a Special Dispensation. In part due to a favorable report made of the Masonic assembly in Chungking, this Dispensation was ultimately granted on March 27, 1943, with George A. Fitch serving as the first Master. The correspondence of letters and telegrams provide further details on the lodge's establishment and activities, including appeals for the Dispensation that were sent to Grand Master Frank M. Smith of California, and subsequent deliberations by the Grand Lodge. The bulk of the letters focus on the management of Fortitude Lodge, and involve the Inspectors of Fortitude Lodge, Morris B. DePass and John H. Paxton, and the Grand Secretary of California, Lloyd E. Wilson. These topics include Masonic relief and funding, complications with the Bank of Canton, lodge construction, requests for supplies, lodge finances, and membership and activity updates. They conclude with Morris B. DePass's letters in 1946, addressing the closure of Fortitude Lodge with the conclusion of the war, and the dispersal of members to their respective homelands. Key Figures a. Lloyd E. Wilson (Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge of California) b. Frank M. Smith (Grand Master of Grand Lodge of California, 1941-42) c. Leslie E. Wood (Grand Master of Grand Lodge of California, 1942-43); granted Dispensation. d. George A. Fitch (Master of Chungking Lodge) e. David Kiang (Senior Warden of Fortitude Lodge) f. Peter Kiang (Junior Warden of Fortitude Lodge) g. Paul Feng (Assistant Secretary of Fortitude Lodge); author of "History of Fortitude Lodge" document h. Morris B. DePass (Inspector of Fortitude Lodge, 1943-1945); military attaché of the US Embassy at Chungking i. John H. Paxton (Inspector of Fortitude Lodge, 1945); US Embassy j. Johannes Hansen (Mason); advocated for Dispensation for Fortitude Lodge k. Ray Johnson (Mason); attested for quality of F.L. for Dispensation l. Jack Stewart Service (Mason); brought booklets and dispensation to F.L. m. Bank of Canton n. Bank of China

Acquisition information:
Donated by Colonel Morris B. DePass, Jr.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Henry W. Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry staff.
Date Prepared:
1942-07-16 to 1946-06-07
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Research appointment required.

Preferred citation:

Records of Fortitude Lodge U.D., Chungking, China. Henry W. Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Location of this collection:
1111 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94108, US
Contact:
(415) 292-9141
hwclibrary@freemason.org
Website