Masonic Temple, King Square, Bridgwater, Somerset.
For obvious reasons the outbreak of WW1 caused a drop in the numbers of new members joining the Craft, and the Royal Arch Chapters were similarly affected. Diane Clements, Director of the Library of Freemasonry, in addressing the Leicestershire & Rutland Installed 1st Principals Chapter No 7896 on 24th September 2015 stated “that towards the end of the war this trend dramatically reversed. By 1919 there were 1,144 Chapters as against 1,017 in 1914. By 1929 there were in excess of 1,600 – an increase of some 50%”.
The Masonic Hall at Bridgwater had been dedicated on Thursday, 11th July 1912 for the Lodge of Perpetual Friendship; perhaps as a part of this trend on 14th January 1918 at Perpetual Friendship Lodge W. Bro. E.W. Bovett proposed “That the Lodge gives permission to form a Royal Arch Chapter, to be annexed to Perpetual Friendship, or to resuscitate the Union Chapter No. 47”. After discussion, the matter was deferred to the next Meeting in March. At this Meeting it was confirmed that the PGM had given permission to form a Royal Arch Chapter and that a Petition be forwarded with the signatures of the WM and Wardens of 135 Lodge and nine signatures of Members of the Royal Arch. There was no further mention of Union Chapter No. 47 which had held its meetings in Bridgwater between 1786 and 1861.
A document pertaining to the formation of the Chapter, which is in the Museum at Bridgwater Masonic Hall, is a letter from Excellent Comp. E.W. Bovett to Comp. Baker:
You will have heard I am wanting a Tontine for the Charities I have 36 on my list & I am going up as a Steward for the R.M.I for girls in May next & it looks as if I should have 100 guineas on my list which will be a nice sum.
Wishing you the best of luck.”
Arthur Gilbert Baker (1880-1975) was born in Bristol and a Commercial Traveller for a Cement & Brick and Tile Manufacturer, and was Initiated into Perpetual Friendship Lodge on 14th March 1910. In that year he married Florence Emma Phelps of Puriton. On 10th December 1915 he enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment giving his address as 22 King Square, Bridgwater. He was later transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery and posted to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force on 10th December 1916. Being on active service at the time the letter was sent probably explains why he was not at home to sign the Petition. On demobilisation as Gunner 128346, on 9th June 1919 he returned to live at 22 King Square; by 1939 he was living at 36 Durleigh Road, Bridgwater, working as before as a Commercial Traveller. It is not clear if he became a Founder but he attended first on 2nd February 1920, and was listed as a Member of 135 Chapter until 1928/29. He was buried at St. Mary, Bridgwater, on 12th December 1975.
The letter has a printed heading in the name of E. J. Bovett and a printed dated of 188- which has been overwritten for use by his son E. W. Bovett, which suggests that the paper was at least 30 years old at the time it was written.
Arthur Gilbert Baker (1880-1975) was born in Bristol and a Commercial Traveller for a Cement & Brick and Tile Manufacturer, and was Initiated into Perpetual Friendship Lodge on 14th March 1910. In that year he married Florence Emma Phelps of Puriton. On 10th December 1915 he enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment giving his address as 22 King Square, Bridgwater. He was later transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery and posted to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force on 10th December 1916. Being on active service at the time the letter was sent probably explains why he was not at home to sign the Petition. On demobilisation as Gunner 128346, on 9th June 1919 he returned to live at 22 King Square; by 1939 he was living at 36 Durleigh Road, Bridgwater, working as before as a Commercial Traveller. It is not clear if he became a Founder but he attended first on 2nd February 1920, and was listed as a Member of 135 Chapter until 1928/29. He was buried at St. Mary, Bridgwater, on 12th December 1975.