Though a warm and friendly personality, he was insistent on correctness and procedure.
Richard the lionheart
The fascinating background to Richard Eve, a former Grand Treasurer, is uncovered by Peter Ricketts.
The monument in the park is clear enough.
One ornate panel dedicates it to “Richard
Eve, born December 6 1831, died July 7
1900.” On another panel we learn that
“Charity was ever his end and aim; devoted
to the Masonic Craft, he was Grand
Treasurer of England 1889 and for years
Chairman of the Masonic Boys’ School.”
A third panel tells us he was “Chivalrous by
nature and fired with the enthusiasm of
humanity” and that he “Resisted oppression
and did Battle for the Right.” Behind the
noble words is the story of a man born in
humble circumstances who went on to rub
shoulders with the then Prince of Wales
(later Edward V.), the Duke of Connaught,
and other great Freemasons of the time.
The ..ft memorial to Richard Eve has
stood majestically in Brinton Park in
Kidderminster, Worcestershire, since 21
June 1902. It was raised, states yet another
inscription, by “Admiring friends to keep his
memory green in his native town which he
ardently loved.” The monument is designed
and decorated in the sort of intricate detail
much beloved by the Victorians. It is faced
with glazed Doulton tiles in rich hues of
green, terracotta and bronze which, it was
said at the time, made the whole edifice
indestructible. Sadly, the local worthies
were wrong there. The structure has a
dilapidated look about it. Bits are tending
to fall off and an ugly guard fence has been
placed round it as a safety measure. The
two drinking fountains incorporated in
the design have long since failed to
function.
So who was Richard Eve and
why was he so honoured by Masons and
non-Masons alike? He was born in a little
house in Kidderminster, the son of John
Eve, who had come down from Yorkshire
to be foreman of a spinning department at
one of the town’s many carpet factories.
Young Richard did his schooling locally
and in 1846 was articled to a firm of
solicitors in Leamington Spa where, in
1861, at the age of 23, he was initiated into
Guy’s Lodge No. 556 (now No. 395), of
which he became Master in 1861. That
same year, during a short residence in
Brecon, Wales, he joined Brecknock
Lodge No. 936 (now No. 651). Shortly
afterwards, as a fully fledged solicitor, he set
up a practice at Aldershot, where the British
Army was busy establishing its massive
military centre. As the headquarters grew,
so did his stature and influence. Over the
next 15 years he built up a large and wealthy
practice and at the same time entered
politics, becoming Lord of the Manor
of Farnborough.
He was a great orator and a defender
of the poor and distressed in the area. As
a radical, free-thinking Liberal, he stood
unsuccessfully for Parliament three
times, once contesting the Kidderminster
constituency. Throughout his life he
retained an abiding love and enthusiasm for
Freemasonry and in 1863 joined Panmure
Lodge No. 723 in Hampshire. It was the
beginning of a remarkable record as a leading
figure in the Lodge and he was Master in
1874, then treasurer for 28 years from 1872
until his death. His appetite for Freemasonry
knew no bounds, and in 1884 he joined
Grand Master’s Lodge No. 1 in London.
Though a warm and friendly personality, he
was insistent on correctness in conduct and
procedure. A classic example is recorded in
the Lodge’s history. In 1865 he moved that
officers of Panmure Lodge be fined for nonattendance,
although he was persuaded to
withdraw it. Undeterred, he then suggested
that every member be given a Book of
Constitutions and a copy of the Lodge bylaws,
a practice not then thought necessary.
On another occasion he moved that the
words “having given proof of proficiency”
concerning a Third Degree ceremony, be
removed from the Minutes! But it would be
wrong to picture him as a crusty badtempered
man. All his life he showed
unfailing compassion and concern for the
underdog and championed many causes on
their behalf.
People who knew him learned to love
him, and he earned their respect for his
unwavering pursuit of sometimes unpopular
but worthy lines of action. One of his
achievements was worthy of the Guinness
Book of Records – he installed 16 Masters
into the Chair at Panmure. As well as being
Grand Treasurer in the Craft, he was
prominent in other degrees too, being
Provincial Grand Joshua in the Royal Arch
in 1874 and Treasurer of Supreme Grand
Chapter in 1887.
Paramount in his Masonic work was the welfare in the two Masonic schools. All his life he showed unfailing compassion and concern for the underdog and championed many causes on their behalf.
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MQ Magazine
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