As part of our Vancouver Island Masonic History Project and our series on Vancouver Island Cemeteries – Masonic Interments, here is some information on Alexander Roland Milne (died January 1904, aged 65).
Alexander Roland Milne served as Grand Master of B.C. in 1887-1888. He is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.
The Milne Building in the 500 block of Johnson Street in downtown Victoria was built for him in 1891. As far as we aware, Alexander Milne still owned the Milne Building at the time of his death in 1904.
Here is some biographical information on Alexander Roland Milne taken from various sources, including newspaper reports of his death and funeral.
“MILNE – At the family residence, No. 17 Queen’s avenue, Victoria, B.C., on the 19th instant, Alexander Roland Milne, C.M.G., a native of Morayshire, Scotland, in the 65th year of his age.
The funeral will take place to-morrow (Wednesday) at 2:15 p.m., from the residence above, and at St. John’s church at 2:30 o’clock.
Friends please accept this intimation.”
(Source: Daily Colonist, 20 January 1904, page 2)
“Funeral Today – It is anticipated that there will be a very larger attendance at the funeral of the late A.R. Milne, C.M.G., which takes place this afternoon at 2:15 o’clock from his late residence, No. 17 Queen’s avenue, and later from St. John’s church. He will be buried with full Masonic honors. Members of Vancouver-Quadra Lodge, No. 2, A.F. & A.M. are requested to meet at the Masonic temple at 1:45 p.m. Members of Victoria-Columbia, No. 1, and sojourning brethren are invited to attend. All members of the Knights of Pythias are requested to be at Castle hall, Douglas street at 2 p.m. Out of respect for the late collector, and in order to allow the staff to attend the funeral, the customs office will be closed during the services. The public are requested to transact their business with the office in the morning so that this can be carried out. The office will be open from 4 to 5 to complete any necessary or urgent business.”
(Source: Daily Colonist, 21 January 1904, page 5)
“IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL OF LATE COLLECTOR
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The Services Yesterday Were Largely Attended – Masonic Lodges In Charge
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The funeral of the late A.R. Milne, C.M.G., which took place yesterday afternoon, was attended by a very large gathering representing the official, commercial and professional life of the city. All were desirous of paying a final tribute to one whom they most highly respected for his many excellent personal qualities, and admired for his great ability.
The local lodges of the Masonic order, of which the late collector was a past grand master, had charge of the interment arrangements. They attended in a body, while members of the Odd Fellow lodges and the Knights of Pythias formed part of the cortege. Officials of the customs department, with whom Mr. Milne had so long been associated, and members of the board of trade, whose duties frequently brought them in touch with him, were also present.
The cortege left the family residence, Queen’s avenue, shortly after 2 o’clock and proceeded to St. John’s church, where an impressive service was conducted by Bishop Perrin. The sacred edifice was filled with people and the casket was borne along the aisle between rows of Masons. Members of the Chinese Benevolent Society were also in attendance. At the cemetery the Rev. C. Ensor Sharp conducted the Masonic burial service. The floral offerings were beautiful and many. The pallbearers were as follows: Angus McKeown, R.B. McMicking, D.W. Wilson, E. Crow Baker, W. Dalby and J.S. Clute.
(Source: Victoria Daily Times, 21 January 1904, page 7)
“….A Special Communication of the Grand Lodge was held in order to render the last act of homage to the memory of a departed Grand Master – the Most Worshipful Brother A.R. Milne, who ably presided over the Grand Jurisdiction in the years 1887 and 1888. While the younger Masons now present may perhaps find it difficult to estimate the services of the Brothers who as pioneer Masons did such splendid work for the founding and spreading of Freemasonry in this Province, there are, we are glad to say, still spared to us many of the Masons of earlier days, who know by actual experience the worth and merit of Brothers like him whom the Most High has seen fit to summon to the Grand Lodge above. May his memory ever be kept fragrant in this Grand Jurisdiction…
M.W. Brother C. Ensor Sharp, Grand Master, Vancouver, 23 May 1904”
(Source: Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1904, page 13)
“…..A special communication of Grand Lodge, at which I was present, was held at the Masonic Temple, Victoria, on January 20th [1904], on the occasion of the funeral of the late M.W. A.R. Milne, C.M.G., Past Grand Master of this Jurisdiction. A large attendance of members not only of Grand Lodge, but also of Subordinate Lodges, testified to the respect entertained for the memory of the distinguished Brother, and there was seen that day the interesting and, I believe, unique spectacle of six Past Grand Masters acting as pall-bearers………
Edward B. Paul, D.D.G.M., District No. 1, Victoria, 1 June 1904
(Source: Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of B.C., A.F. & A.M., 1904, pages 27-28)
Alexander Roland Milne is buried in Ross Bay Cemetery, Victoria, B.C.
Here are the funeral notices for Alexander Roland Milne which appeared in Victoria daily newspapers in January 1904.
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