Quick Facts:
Date Chartered: December 4th, 1927
Local Fraternities: Habrim (1904-1916) and Alpha Epsilon (1918-1927)
Milestone for the Brotherhood: Made Lambda Chi Alpha an International Fraternity
Our Roots
The Epsilon-Epsilon Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha, like many chapters, started as a local fraternity at the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus. At the dawn of the 20th century, a group of men gathered together and formed the secret gentleman’s society which they called HABRIM. The name of the Fraternity was symbolized by the Hebrew letters that spelled out the word HABRIM. Until 1916, the society existed, bringing together men and laying the foundation for Lambda Chi Alpha in Toronto. The First World War claimed the membership of the local society and rendered it inactive until 1918. Luckily, the archives of the chapter have preserved historical facts about our forefathers that allows us to imagine what they stood for and who they were.
Habrim Facts:
Colors: Grey, Blue and Silver
Jewel: Diamond
Exemplar: none
Mascot: Unicorn
Flower: White Rose
Symbol: in Hebrew “Habrim”
History: originally a dinning club then secret society, closed due to number of members killed during WWI
When a great thing exists, it is impossible to extinguish it. The veteran brothers of HABRIM did not fade into the pages of history but came back, and quite quickly at that. HABRIM was ressurected as the Alpha Epsilon Fraternity in 1918 and would remain under that name until 1927 when Alpha Epsilon requested chartering from Lambda Chi Alpha. They fulfilled the requirements of chartering into the bond and the great brotherhood of Lambda Chi Alpha became and International fraternity. The men of Alpha Epsilon received this honor on December 3rd, 1927. Thus, the values and morals of Epsilon-Epsilon have a long history that began with a group of Toronto men over 100 years ago. A group of students who were paralleled in vision with thousands of men across the campuses of the United States. And so, these men, with open hearts gained entry into a brotherhood that they were destined to belong to.
AE Facts:
Colors: Black, Crimson and Gold
Jewel: Ruby
Exemplar: St. George
Mascot: Dragon & Griffon
Flower: Red Rose
Symbol: Rose entwined around Sword, capped by Crown
History: old Habrim re-activated by WWI veterans.
The men of Habrim/AE found their home within our great brotherhood on December 3rd, 1927, and ever since loyalty, duty, respect, service and stewardship, honor, integrity and personal courage have been at the forefront of our chapter. Men of good character have entered and exited our doors taking with them memories, values and most of all a bond unbreakable and so powerful that it follows them throughout the rest of their lives. Lambda Chi Alpha’s Epsilon-Epsilon Zeta has been home to what will soon be 1000 brothers from all walks of life who share the common commitment to brotherhood and the world. Amidst obstacles and ordeals, this chapter will surely thrive forever as long as men of character who are willing to pledge themselves to improving the lives of their brothers, themselves and humanity as a whole.
No book can attest to the quality of men our chapter has sheltered under its roof…no book will ever be able to hold the history created by every moment experienced behind our walls…brotherhood is forever and we write our history everyday in our own lives and with each other.
Our Founding Fathers
The names of our founding fathers appear in the order they are listed on our charter. These men were the first Lambda Chi Alpha’s in Toronto and were the reason we can say today that we are brothers of the 3rd largest fraternity in the world.
| Gordan Hobbs Hutton | Henry Louis Sessaro | Benton McLaren Humphries |
| James McQueen | Robert Lawrence Bulien | James Gladney Hodge |
| Gordon Keith Drummond Alderson | John Davis Montgomery | Thomas Whiteside Wilson |
| Grover Caitues Hagedorn | Hugh Harold Gibb | Thomas John Wright |
| Wilfred George Baidge | James Johnston Gilfilian | Roy Hurley Rickard |
| Robert Seymour Hanks | Henry Danvers Gracey | Cecil Alexander Rae |
| Joseph Harvard Connolly | Frank Arnold Haight | Fredrick Rowman |
| John Roof Barber | Douglas Hartwell Varey | John Anthony Kelly |
| William Kenneth Gibb | Harold Campbell Cobben | William Ferguson Gregory |
| George Douglas Kendell | James Patrick Grant | Austin Stanley Sunton |
| John Charles Risk | John James Armstrong | Alwyn Esbin Bennett |
| Haney Morris Smith | Richard Watson Landy | Robert Cecil Wansbrough |
| Frank Henry Ralph Ponnsett | Norman Aubrey Todd | George Russell Boucher |
| Charles John Argull Halliwell | William Harry Carson | |
| Harold Stewart Shivley | Douglas Berity Hutton | |
| James Irwin Henderson | Ronald Steele Saddington |
The Fallen Brothers of Epsilon-Epsilon Zeta:
As with all historical societies that have existed through humanity’s dark moments, our chapter lost members to the two World Wars. Here we remember our fallen brothers, who gave their lives for their country and for the good of our entire existence. They were men of courage, duty, loyalty, and they gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for us to be able to be sitting in our fraternity house today, sharing the same ideals and values and aiming to do the same and embrace their heroic spirit, remembering that omany decades ago, our brothers fought for us to be where we are today. We can never thank you more for your sacrifice and we are honored to call you brothers. ZAX.
World War II Fallen Soldiers of Epsilon-Epsilon-Zeta:
Fallen Soldiers:
1) F/O Douglas Ronald Hardy
2) James Irwin Henderson
3) Lt. Kenneth Geike Jeanneret
4) F/O Allan Willson Troup
5) Lt. Thomas John Wright
Prisoners of War:
1) F/O Albert Ivan Smith
2) F/O Charles M. Weicker
Your memories will live on forever within all of us…
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow Between the crosses row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
- Lieutenant Colonel John McRae (1872-1918)
