Brothers in Alms Exhibition | Freemasons' Hall

Brothers in Alms Exhibition | Freemasons' Hall

This exhibition features rare photographs from the Second Boer War to the end of the Second World War, showcasing military leaders and participants from various backgrounds. It highlights prominent Freemasons in military roles, such as Horatio Herbert Kitchener, who became a symbol of recruitment during the First World War. The exhibition also emphasizes the charitable efforts of Freemasons in supporting hospitals, rehabilitation housing, and pensions for ex-servicemen.

Curated by Brian Deutsch and Catherine Plunkett, the exhibition aims to convey stories through images, allowing viewers to interpret the narratives behind them. It reflects on the significant contributions of Freemasons during both war and peace, noting that one in six Victoria Crosses awarded in the Great War went to Freemasons.

Key figures include:

• Earl Kitchener: Appointed Secretary of State for War at the onset of the First World War, known for his recruitment poster.
• Field Marshal Earl Haig: Commander of the British Expeditionary Force, who advocated for increased pensions for veterans after the war.
• John Dimmer: A VC recipient who died leading his men shortly before the war's end.
• Bernard Freyberg: A New Zealand dentist who became a General and Governor-General of New Zealand after serving in both World Wars.
• Dame Florence Burleigh-Leach: A prominent woman Freemason who rose to Chief Controller of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps.

The exhibition commemorates the centenary of "peace through sacrifice" at the end of the First World War, celebrating the lives of those involved in the conflict, from military leaders to ordinary citizens.