Something Funny

As we are often known to do, we were spending some time in the local library this week. We stumbled on a ridiculous book. It appears to be the work of a conspiracy theory group in the western United States, but it specifically mentions the VOSJ, so we thought we would take a look.

The "book" in question is called Taking Off the Blindfold, by G.C. Hatonn. Essentially, it espouses the theory that the entire world is controlled by a Jewish/Satanist group of which HM Queen Elizabeth II is a part. The following paragraph comes from the section of chapter 1 entitled "Knights of the Order of the Garter:"

The Knights of the Order of the Garter are the leaders of the Committee of 300, Queen Elizabeth II’s most trusted “privy council”. When I did my research on the Order of St. John of Jerusalem some years ago, I went to Oxford to talk with one of the Masters who is a specialist on ancient and modern British traditions. He told me that the Knights of the Garter are the inner sanctum, the elite of the elite of Her Majesty’s Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Let me say this is not the original order founded by the true Christian warrior, Peter Gerard, but is typical of many fine institutions that are taken over and destroyed from the inside, while yet appearing to the uninitiated to be the original.

The next section is entitled "Order of Jerusalem (and a Little Satanism!)" and goes more specifically into the VOSJ. Here, the author states:

I learned from the papers in the museum named after Victoria that she changed the name of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in 1885 in order to break away from the Catholic connection of the Order’s founder, Peter Gerard, and renamed it the “Protestant Most Venerable Order of Jerusalem.” Membership was open to every oligarchical family that had made its fortune in the China opium trade and every thoroughly decadent family received a place in the ‘new order.’

The next section brings the discussion to Canada discusses "the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, who control Canadian commerce in all of its facets." Now we had a long discussion about this book amongst ourselves. Some of us wanted to make mention of this odd publication and some of us wanted to leave well enough alone. In the end, we decided that the negative consequence of free press for these conspiracy theorists was less than the positive consequence of sharing what a few nuts in Las Vegas think. If we know what misinformation is out there, we can more easily defend ourselves against it...and it was good for a laugh.

Another Vice-Prior

We're about two months late on this, but our recent look at Newfoundland and Labrador reminded us of an image of the current Lieutenant-Governor and Vice-Prior in this Canadian province. Here you can see John Crosbie being admitted to the Order as a Knight of Justice on 30 September. The investiture ceremony took place at the Anglican Cathedral Church in St. John's. Just though you might like to see it.

Question Answered

Our question last week regarding a mystery confrère has been answered. There was speculation in the comments of the post, but now we have some solid evidence. Another confrère that attended this investiture service has given us the answer and sent us a larger picture so that we can understand the context. The larger photograph shows the Vice-Prior of Newfoundland and Labrador, Edward Roberts, bestowing the Provincial Chair's Commendation on Terry Hart for "raising public awareness and the profile of St. John Ambulance within" Newfoundland. The Lieutenant-Governor and Vice-Prior of Ontario at the time, James Bartleman was standing in the background. Other photographs from the same event show Mr Bartleman helping give out awards that came from the Priory itself.

A big thank you to all those that e-mailed us with correct and incorrect guesses.

We Need Your Help

Today, we have a request for any of our readers that come from the priory of Canada. While trying to categorise out photograph library of VOSJ images, we came across this one. It is from a Canadian event that took place in Newfoundland a couple years ago. Based on the insignia that this gentlement is wearing, though, it looks as if he is from Ontario. If anyone can provide some information on this man, we would be very grateful. It's possible that he is a Lieutenant-Governor, and therefore a Vice Prior, in one of the provinces, but we're not sure. All guesses and suggestions are welcome.

Service Medal

We heard news of some local organizations of the St John Ambulance in Miramichi, New Brunwick having recognition ceremonies last week. Several volunteers were awarded the Service Medal of the VOSJ. In this case, the recipients were all SJA people, but one needs only be involved with the Order to be awarded this medal. We thought we'd share a little of what we learned regarding the medal.

The service medal was first mentioned in 1895, but the first recipients were not chosen until 1898. It wasn't until 1899 that the award was actually made. This is, as the name implies, the service medal of the VOSJ. Throughout its history it has been awarded for conspicuous service of different kinds to the Order and not merely for length of service. Its usual use, however, is to reward extended service in St. John Ambulance or in the Order of St John.

The following description of the medal itself comes from the VOSJ's information sheet on the matter. The image below comes from our own personal collection.

With one small exception, the design of the Service Medal has remained constant throughout its history. The obverse features the head of Queen Victoria, modelled from a bust carved by H.R.H. The Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll, together with the legend VICTORIA + D + G + BRITT + REG + F + D + IND + IMP. Originally this legend and that on the reverse were in ornamental gothic script but, since 1960, the current die uses upright seriffed capitals as printed. The reverse of the medal, between sprigs of St. John’s wort, contains five circles showing the Imperial Crown, the Royal Arms, the arms of the Prince of Wales as first Grand Prior under the Charter of 1888, the crest of the Prince of Wales and the pre 1926 Arms of the Order. Around the edge appears the legend MAGNUS · PRIORATUS · ORDINIS · HOSPITALIS · SANCTI · JOHANNIS · JERUSALEM · IN · ANGLIA. From its inception until 1942, when issue ceased for the duration of the war, the medal was manufactured in silver. Upon resumption in 1947 until 1960 alternatives involving base metal and silvering were employed. Between 1960 and 1966 the medals were silvered cupro-nickel and since 1966 they have been cupro-nickel, rhodium plated.

Interestingly, this is the only current-issue medal that still bears the bust of Queen Victoria.

Tragic Loss

Two weeks ago, the Canadian Priory of the VOSJ lost a dedicated member. Larry Bosiak was an Alberta native that volunteered with the St John Ambulance for more than 35 years. Bosiak was made a commander of the Venerable Order. In a very sad turn of events, Mr Bosiak was murdered in an apparent botched robbery attempt outside of his home. Mr Bosiak was clearly a confrère that attempted to live out the Order's two mottoes. Pro Fide (for the faith) and Pro Utilitate Hominum (in the service of humanity). He will be missed in Canada and in the Order at large.

Canadian Vice Priors

As mentioned in our last post, Hilary Weston was made a Dame of Justice in 1997 upon her appointment as Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. We were trolling through our files and found a picture from 2005 of Norman Kwong, the newly appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta, receiving his insignia as a Knight of Justice of the Order. As we noted earlier, the Lieutenant-Governor of each province is made the Vice-Prior for the Order in that province. This picture comes from 23 May 2005 and was taken in Edmonton, the capital of Alberta.

Confrère Honoured

Though the honour has not yet officially been given out, Dame of Justice Hilary Weston will be given an honourary doctorate from Concordia University in Montreal at their convocation services on 17 November. Ms Weston was made a Dame of Justice on the occasion of her appointment as 26th Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario in 1997. In the Priory of Canada, Lieutenant-Governors are made Vice-Priors of the Order in their respective provinces. Though she is no longer Lieutenant-Governor, Ms Weston is still a Dame of Justice and we congratulate her on this well-deserved honour.

New Lord Prior

It may have passed some by, but the VOSJ now has a new Lord Prior. On 5 June of this year, Eric Barry (the outgoing LP) and Anthony Mellows (the incoming LP) paid a visit to Kensington palace to be received by The Duke of Gloucester, our Grand Prior. The Englishman Mellows was assuming the appointment and the Canadian Barry was relinquishing it.

Just last week (28 October) HM the Queen, Sovereign Head of the VOSJ, received Professor Anthony Mellows upon his appointment as Lord Prior. Mellows has serviced as Vice Lord Prior for several years and seems to be sliding into his new role quite comfortable. We were able to find a photograph of the new Lord Prior in our extensive library. It was taken at the St John Eye Hospital's service of celebration and thanksgiving for the Order in May 2007. This was part of the celebration of the 125th anniversary of the hospital. The official installation will take place later this month, and we'll certainly keep you posted.