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Past Master’s Jewel Donated to County Lodge
Part of Our History Retrieved
Past Master’s Jewel Donated to County Lodge
In May, I had the opportunity of meeting with Mr. John and Mrs. Faith Stiff at the County Hall in Toronto. At that time the family donated the Past Master’s Jewel presented in 1925 to the late George H. Hooper, the grand-father of Mrs.Stiff.
The Medal - The Past Master’s Jewel, in excellent condition and in the original leather case, is inscribed as “presented to Wor. Bro. George H. Hooper on Feb.10/1925 by Armstrong L.O.L.137.”
George Hooper – George Herbert Bertram Hooper was born at Oakwood, Ontario on May 18/1893. He enlisted for service in World War I at Lindsay, Ontario on December 4th/1915 and was assigned to the 109th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Victoria and Haliburton Regiment). His enlistment number was 724663. His occupation at enlistment was that of an electrician. In 1924 during his term as Master of L.O.L.137 his address was given as 125 Logan Avenue. This would have been in the vicinity of Logan and Eastern Avenues in Toronto’s east-end. George Hooper passed away on November 12th/1982 at the age of 89 years in Sunnybrook Veteran’s Hospital.
Armstrong L.O.L.137 – This lodge received its original warrant in 1833 and was one of four Toronto Orange Lodges in operation before the Incorporation of Toronto itself in 1834. A new warrant was issued on April 23/1844 to Worshipful Brother Jonathan Kerr Armstrong and the lodge took the surname of that Worthy Brother as its own. During the time that George Hooper was the Worshipful Master, the lodge met on the second Tuesday of each month at the County Orange Hall at 55 Queen Street East. Armstrong L.O.L.was in operation continuously for 109 years and was declared dormant in 1942. In 1944 the No.137 was reactivated as Victory Loyal Orange Lodge and still meets as an active Lodge in the city of Toronto.
A photo of George Hooper in uniform accompanies this article. We are grateful to the Stiff family for their donation of the Medallion, as well as the photo to the County Lodge of Toronto and for their thoughtfulness in this regard.
Sources: Lodge Reports
The Stiff family
Rt. Wor. Bro. Alec Rough, who provided the Military record
Submitted by John Wells – County Secretary – June 14/2011
