A Legacy of Service and Brotherhood

Brother Rajesh Tewari’s Masonic Journey

Twickenham Lodge No. 4278 was delighted to raise Brother Rajesh Tewari in November 2024, a year after his initiation in November 2023. Since joining the Lodge, Bro. Raj has shared remarkable insights into his family’s distinguished history, particularly that of his grandfather, Bro. Rameshwar Mahabir Misra (R. M. Misra).

Bro. Misra served with distinction in the Zanzibar Police during the early 1960s, attaining the rank of Deputy Superintendent. His service placed him in the company of notable figures such as the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and a member of Navy Lodge No. 2612, the late Indira Gandhi, and the Aga Khan. Bro. Raj has uncovered historical records, including a statement made by his grandfather during the Zanzibar Revolution, when the Sultan of Zanzibar was overthrown. This document remains a valuable resource for scholars today and is held at the London School of Economics.

Bro. Misra with the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Bro. Raj’s grandfather played a significant role in historic events. When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was crowned, she and Prince Philip embarked on a tour of East Africa aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. During this visit, the Duke of Edinburgh personally piloted a boat across to Zanzibar, where he was hosted by the Sultan. Bro. Misra, serving as the Sultan’s personal protection officer, was present at this distinguished gathering, which continued into the early hours. At the evening’s close, he even lent the Duke of Edinburgh £5, a gesture that was later acknowledged in a letter of thanks and a gift of cufflinks from the Duke himself, sent via Rear Admiral Christopher Bonham-Carter.

Following the Zanzibar Revolution in 1964, Bro. Misra sought assistance from Prince Philip to secure safe passage for his family to the UK. The Duke of Edinburgh intervened, facilitating their evacuation through the Foreign Office. Thanks to his support, the Misra family were granted British residency and passports upon arrival.

Before his police career, Bro. Misra had served in the British Army during the Second World War. Enlisting at the age of 15 in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), he rose to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 2, overseeing logistics for Allied forces. Upon recommendation from his commanding officer, he transitioned into the Colonial Police, training in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, before his posting to Zanzibar.

The Aga Khan

Bro. Raj’s research into his grandfather’s life has also uncovered his Masonic connections. While residing in Osterley, Isleworth, in 1987, Bro. Misra applied to join Marble Arch Lodge No. 7479. He was initiated on 9th March 1987, and his membership extended to the Royal Arch, though Bro. Raj only recently discovered his grandfather’s Royal Arch jewel, having previously been unaware of his Masonic ties.

Bro. Raj’s heritage extends even further, tracing back to the Tewari family’s ancestral estate, Sisendi, in the Mohanlalganj region of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Once a grand palace reflecting Mughal, Awadhi, and Classical architectural influences, it now stands in ruins, though restoration efforts are underway at its temple. The estate, steeped in history, was once part of the lineage of the Maharajas of Uttar Pradesh, a striking contrast to modern-day South West London.

For those interested, there are several YouTube videos documenting the estate’s fascinating history and its present state.

Twickenham Lodge No. 4278 is privileged to have Bro. Raj as a member, and we look forward to seeing him build on the legacy of service and brotherhood exemplified by his grandfather.

Bro Brother Rajesh Tewari at his Initiation, November 2023
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