The General Mercer Lodge in Toronto

On this evening, at The General Mercer Lodge (in Toronto West District) No 548, the brethren were proudly recognising the accomplishments of two Masons: VWBro Milan Cobonov, due to his appointment as Grand Standard Bearer last July  - he and I met years ago while getting our 32 in Hamilton at Scottish Rite - and Bro Ted Dziemenko, who received his 25 year pin.
The meeting was held at the historic and acoustically perfect West Toronto Masonic Temple, on Annette Street, where several years ago, during the centenary of WW1, Milan and I produced an amazing choral album - live off the floor - called Sacrifice and Solace, featuring the Toronto Valour Ensemble who sang a collection of songs, several of which were popular during The Great War, and the remainder that were compositions based on letters sent home from the trenches.

General Mercer himself, a true Canadian hero, was a Mason and also a member of the Queen's Own Rifles, and according to his biography remains to this day the highest-ranked Canadian officer to be killed in action. At the outbreak of hostilities: "He was created a Brigadier General on 29 September 1914 and a Major General on 22 November 1915. He became the Officer Commanding the 3rd Canadian Division on 24 December 1915 and was awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath in that same year. He was mentioned in despatches on at least three occasions.

As General Officer Commanding, Mercer was killed in Flanders on 2 June 1916 , in Armagh Wood near Observatory Ridge at the outskirts of a village called Zillebeke." The General Mercer Lodge was formed in 1919, and enjoyed its centenary celebration in 2019.

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