BEYOND THE FIVE POINTS. MASONIC WINNERS OF THE VICTORIA CROSS AND THE GEORGE CROSS Phillip R. S. May, GC, edited by Richard Cowley, Twin Pillars Books, 145 Russell St., Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN16 0EW, 2001. Hardback, 358 pages, £35. ISBN 0-9541271-0-2.

This book is the work of the late Philip May, G.C., who sought to document all the holders of the Victoria Cross or the George Cross who were Freemasons; a fascinating project which has certainly produced much valuable information. Unfortunately, Philip May died before his research was complete. Even more unfortunately, the publisher has issued his book without any attempt to finish it. The result is an interesting book marred by defects and perhaps errors: for example, Sir John Graham, V.C., is stated to have been a member of Union Lodge, No.310. References cite the Archives and Library of United Grand Lodge as well as conversations with Graham before his death in 1980. Yet the secretary of Union Lodge states that no record of Graham appears in the minutes of the lodge from 1913 to 1958 when the secretary himself joined. What is the truth? Many other V.C. and G.C. holders are claimed as Freemasons simply upon references to them as "Brother" in masonic newspapers. These appellations may be true; they may also be wishful thinking on the part of editors. No attempt has been made to search out the facts.
    The blame for this sloppiness must fall upon the publisher who writes in a prefatory note that he and Philip May’s widow were "faced with a choice – spend months/years filling the gaps, or publish now. We decided to publish now…". This was, of course, much easier than doing any research. The result degrades the value of Philip May’s hard work. Sadly, in the end, his beloved project is published in a form which renders it so unreliable that it is of limited value to historians of Freemasonry. Perhaps someone else can pick it up and complete it in the way it deserves? Michael Baigent