June 1, 2015

Finest Hour 107, Summer 2000

Page 35

RHODES JAMES II

Q: While browsing Amazon’s UK site I came across a listing for a book by Robert Rhodes James called Churchill: A Study in Triumph, with a Weidenfeld & Nicolson 1998 imprint. Was it published?

A: Alas no. It was going to be his sequel but he died before it was finished.

2024 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 41st International Churchill Conference. London | October 2024

More

HONORARY AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP

Q: Who besides Churchill was vested with Honorary American Citizenship?

A: This subject was discussed at length three years ago. Todd Ronnei writes: “My research found multiple sources that agreed there have been five honorary citizenships granted by acts of Congress: Sir Winston Churchill (1963), Raoul Wallenberg (1981), William and Hannah Penn (1984) and Mother Teresa (1996). Other members mentioned Lafayette (but not by Congress), Lech Walesa and Solzhenitsyn.”

WHICH HAND?

Q: As a Left-handed person I have for some time believed Sir Winston Churchill to be among our ilk. Having recently joined the Left-handed Society, I read the list of famous “Lefties” with interest, but was slightly disturbed to find no reference to Sir Winston. I was rather hoping that you may be able to confirm (or deny) that he was indeed left-handed.

A: Although the editor is lefthanded and therefore a genius, unfortunately Churchill was righthanded—another handicap after his lisp.

MASONIC CAREER

Q: Can you provide some details on Churchill’s experience as a Freemason?

A: Laurence Geller of Chicago inherited the research of Otis Jones of North Carolina some time ago. Readers with information may wish to contact him by email ([email protected]) or mail: 77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 460, Chicago IL 60601. But Mr. Geller has been making progress, as his reply indicates:

“Churchill was initiated at the age of 26 on 24 May 1901. He was passed on July 19th the same year, and raised on 25 March 1902 in Studholme Lodge (now United Studholme Alliance Lodge No. 1591) in London. He was apparently a regular attender, but took no office in the Lodge and resigned in July 1912, probably due to his political commitments and office.

“In 1918, Churchill was a petitioner for a new London Lodge to be called The Ministry of Munitions Lodge, Churchill being at that time Britain’s Minister of Munitions. The petition was initially refused by Grand Lodge; however, upon a later resubmission, the subsequent imprimateur was given to Armaments Lodge No. 3898. Churchill appears not to have been involved, as he had by that time moved from the Minister of Munitions to Secretary of State for War and Air.

“Until recently it seemed that this was the final chapter in Churchill’s masonic involvement, but a small piece of further evidence has come to light. On 10 December 1928 Churchill visited Royal Naval Lodge No.59 as the guest of the Worshipful Master, W .H. Bernau.

“I hope the above is somewhat responsive to your request. I am still digging into this subject and shall appreciate any leads.”