RT. WBRO. DR. SORABJI PHIROZESHAH KAPADIA
On the sudden demise of Rt. WBro. Arthur Claude Bottomley, the District was automatically placed in charge of WBro. Dr. S.P. Kapadia, being the Deputy DGM. Upon his appointment as the succeeding DGM, Rt. WBro. Kenneth B. Large, DGM of Bengal, installed WBro. Dr. Sorabji Phirozeshah Kapadia as the District Grand Master for Bombay.
Rt. WBro. Kapadia’s first priority was similar to that of the Late Rt. WBro. Bottomley – to balance Income with Expenditure. As there was a limit to which expenses could be pruned, the dues from Lodges had to be enhanced. The previous District Grand Treasurer having resigned, an astute businessman WBro. E.M. Cassinath lent sound advisory support to the District as its District Grand Treasurer. The office, he held for about 15 years when he resigned to become the Grand Superintendent of All Scottish Royal Arch Masonry in India.
Lodge Heart of India No. 3760 originally founded in 1916, celebrated its silver jubilee of its continuous active existence in 1964. Rt. WBro. Kapadia along with his Deputy and other members of his deputation paid an official visit to Bilaspur in 1964 to celebrate the occasion.
In 1965, Rt. WBro. Kapadia visited Jabalpur for the celebration of the centenary of Lodge Alexandra No. 1065. Bearing in mind, the reduced number of Lodges under his care, Rt. WBro. Kapadia made it a point to personally visit all the Lodges in his jurisdiction at least once. On most occasions, his Deputy WBro. Oscar Brown, an eloquent speaker also accompanied him. He therefore earned great love and esteem from the membership.
The Army & Navy Lodge consecrated on 28th April 1913 was transferred to London on 14th February 1968 under the new name of Bombay Lodge.
The District was happy to note that Most Worshipful Grand Master, the Earl of Scarbrough installed H.R.H. The Duke of Kent as the Most Worshipful Grand Master on 24th April 1968.
The Grand Secretary Rt. WBro. J.W. Strubbs and his wife visited the District from 31st October 1968 to 5th November 1968. They were accommodated at the Raj Bhavan by Rt. WBro. Dr. P.V. Cherian, H.E. the Governor of Bombay. The Half-yearly Communication of the District was attended by both above distinguished Brethren, as also by Rt. WBro. Lt. Gen. Sir Harold Williams (Chairman, Steering Committee for the formation of the Grand Lodge of India).
On 3rd November 1968, the DGM along with above distinguished guests attended the Golden Jubilee celebration meeting of Lodge Universal Brotherhood No. 3835 Bombay and were welcomed by the Worshipful Master WBro. Pervez R. Patel. The District Grand Master, along with above guests also visited Lodge Knight No. 3918 at the Cantonment town of Devlali, which also celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
The Deputy DGM, WBro. Oscar Henry Brown started a practice of holding annually and conducting Masonic Church Services at Mumbai’s famous St. Thomas Cathedral which were being well attended by Masons from all Constitutions. WBro. Brown was an eloquent speaker at all Masonic meetings.
The untimely death on 29th June 1969 of Pro. Grand Master Most Worshipful Bro. The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Scarbrough was reported. He ruled as our Grand Master for 16 years from 1951 to 1967 and thereafter as Pro. Grand Master. Whilst he was in Bombay, he was installed as the WM of Bombay District’s premier Lodge St. George No. 549 on 20th February 1940 and thereafter on 14th March 1940 he was installed as District Grand Master. He ruled over this District from 1940 to 1943. On his return to England and after a lapse of 4 years, he was installed as Deputy Grand Master on 3rd September 1947. Thereafter as Grand Master on 7th March 1951 which he held till June 1967 when he installed H.R.H. The Duke of Kent as the Grand Master. He was in turn installed as Pro. Grand Master. A Masonic service was held for him at St. Thomas’s Cathedral, Mumbai on Sunday 14th September 1969 when the heads of the Irish and Scottish Constitutions and representatives of other Orders were also present. The ceremony was performed by WBro. Oscar Brown, the Deputy DGM in a most impressive manner, that will not be forgotten by those present. This was followed by the “Dead March in Saul” played on the Catherdral’s organ.
During the tenure of Rt. WBro. Dr. Kapadia, the District also noted with much regret the passing away of Rt. WBro. J.S. Tilley on 26th May 1969 and of Rt. WBro. Bhogilal Shah on 30th June 1972.
A letter of condolence and sympathy was sent on behalf of the District to the Grand Secretary about the sad news of the lamentable demise of the H.R.H. Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent.