Australian Freemasons in Captivity

Although there is evidence of some Masonic activity among Brethren in most of the countries occupied the Japanese during WWII, this talk deals mainly with Singapore.

The incarceration of British and Allied Forces taken prisoner by the Japanese was often harsh. Many died as the result of ill-treatment, disease and lack of food. Members of the Armed Forces and civilian internees who were members of the Craft turned to Freemasonry to sustain them during the rigours of their ordeal.

In spite of the fact that Masonry was ruthlessly suppressed by the Japanese, imprisoned brethren made every effort to identify each other.

They risked severe punishment and possibly death if their Masonic activities were discovered.

Although statistics vary, the number of British, Australian and Indian military personnel, plus civilians, who became POWs is estimated to have been anywhere between 80 and 95,000. Many Freemasons were among those interned as civilians or captured as members of the Armed Forces.

 Both categories were imprisoned in the notorious Changi Prison Camp which was spread over a large area, and which included the Changi Jail.

The civilian internees numbered some 3,000 persons. Approximately 250 were Freemasons.
Early in the days of internment, it was intimated that, so far as conditions permitted, Lodges should continue to hold meetings, it being his intention to maintain the spirit of Freemasonry, and the continuity of Lodge history. Meetings were to be held for the transaction of Masonic business but no man was to be initiated during internment.

It was found that Lodges were so well represented numerically that and no less than 42 dispensations were issued for them to meet as Lodges in the camp and hold regular meetings, but without regalia, exhibited warrants or Lodge furniture. Some Lodges were in a position to elect Masters in the accepted succession. Of these, Lodge of St. George No.1152, Singapore, the strongest Lodge numerically in the camp, was able to hand on the succession of the Chair in regular order.

At first they met in a small dispensary and later in the camp library. Voices were hushed. Outside the door stood a Tyler, more vigilant than ever before, and supported by a string of Assistant Tylers positioned at intervals around the camp. Each was in possession of a pre-concerted signal to give warning of the approach of “intruders and cowans”, especially the Japanese guards.

One of the Brethren conducted a small but efficient meeting in front of a hut every Tuesday night. Similar study groups were set up in other parts of the camp.

In the military area of Changi, a meeting of imprisoned brethren was held as early as 8th June 1942, at which 45 were present.

In the camp there were two Preceptors attached to Lodge of St. George No.1152, as well as several members of the Lodge.

Preparations were always made to convert the meetings into something of a different nature in the event of a surprise interruption. The Tyler would have as many as eight assistants if necessary, sometimes more. They were ‘armed’ with wood and stones and their duty was to throw these on the roof in case of any alarm. The proceedings would then immediately be changed, perhaps by singing hymn, so that the suggestion would be that a church service or prayer meeting was being held.
Attendances rose from about 50 to100 and parties from the ‘Australian area’ of the camp also joined in.

Military rank had no bearing on Masonic activities. Meetings were usually held monthly and the three degrees were regularly demonstrated in accordance with the several Constitutions represented or else lectures on a variety of Masonic and other subjects were delivered.

Records indicate that towards the end of 1943 a brother was brought into the camp hospital in a most dreadful condition. He had been sentenced to four years imprisonment in the infamous Outram Road Gaol which was run by the Kempeitai, the Japanese Military Secret Police, who were known to be ruthless in their treatment of prisoners. At the time of his arrest a book of Masonic ritual was found amongst his effects which resulted in terrible beatings and other forms of torture. A brother stood at his bedside and caught a whispered warning advising cessation of Masonic activities, because the Japanese authorities were becoming increasingly suspicious that Masonic activities were taking place and had started an intensive investigation.

The brother interviewed the senior officers of the British and Australian troops, both Freemasons, and received official sanction and approval to issue an order to the Association to close down immediately.

When this order was actually given is not clear because as late as 4th May 1944, a meeting of the Association was held which was indeed to be the last. Twenty one meetings had been held over a 17 month period.

On 15th August 1945, shortly after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the 6th and 9th August respectively, the Japanese announced their surrender. The formal signing of the surrender in Singapore was signed on 12th September 1945. Prior to this date, however, the Japanese had allowed the Allied Forces to send in reinforcements and supplies. POWs were checked by the medical officers and arrangements were made to send them home.

   Written By
     RW Brother Robert McCallum