Records of Fortitude Lodge U.D., Chungking, China

Title: Records of Fortitude Lodge U.D., Chungking, China

Dates: 1942-07-16 to 1946-06-07

Collection Number: MSS-101

Creator/Collector: Lloyd E. Wilson George A. Fitch Morris B. DePass John H. Paxton Fortitude Lodge, U.D. Grand Lodge of California

Extent: 1/2 linear feet (1 Hollinger box containing 11 folders).

Repository: Henry W. Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Abstract: The Masonic lodge named Fortitude Lodge, U.D., was created in Chungking, Szechwan, China, by Masons of various nationalities who were gathered in the region during World War II. It functioned formally from 1943, after receiving a special dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California, until its closure in 1946 following the end of the war. The collection was donated by Colonel Morris B. DePass, who was an Inspector at Fortitude Lodge. It consists of photographs, correspondence, administrative documents, and certificates relating to key members of Fortitude Lodge and the Grand Lodge of California, from conception to closure.

Language of Material: English

Research appointment required.

[Identification of item]. Records of Fortitude Lodge U.D., Chungking, China. Collection Number: MSS-101. Henry W. Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Donated by Colonel Morris B. DePass, Jr.

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