Chapter 7 - Honours Board

Honours Board

It is difficult to select from amongst those who have, by their work and influence, built up the reputation of this Lodge, a few of the most outstanding names for special mention, for it is so easy to miss someone of real merit from such a selection. As Byron says, “Their praise is hymned by loftier pens than mine, yet one I would select from that proud throng”. Here I wish to mention more than one to talk about, but hope to keep the list to manageable proportions. Whether membership of the fraternity has any beneficial influence on the expectation of life of its members is a moot point, but there would certainly seem to be some reason for supposing this to be the case, for there are many cases enshrined in our records which seem to indicate that a real interest in the lodge add years to a man’s normal span of life.

“Will Shakespeare, who in verse did prate. He knew a thing or two. Of seven ages could relate that man is heir unto. But other men, nigh just as sage, can prove that bard untrue; Not seven ages on this earth, but four score years can do”.

So in De Shurland Lodge there have been many members who have lived to a ripe old age, continuing their membership for forty or fifty years, enjoying the companionship of their brethren and adding their quota to the advancement of Masonry. Such men as the first Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1866, who was able, 50 years later, to attend the anniversary celebrations. Then there was WBro. Pannell who was Secretary for thirty years; and his son who, in April 1935, held a banquet to mark the fiftieth

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year of his membership of the Lodge and continued his association until his death in 1946, a period altogether of sixty-one years. We remember WBro. J. Turk who joined the Lodge in 1908 and was a member until 1956. WBro. Penney who was initiated in 1919 and is still a member. WBro. S. Cheeseman joined in 1918 and still attends meetings, and WBro. V. Stupples, our present Treasurer, has been a member for about fortythree years. The present veteran of the lodge however is Bro. A. McKinnon who joined in 1916. Other instances of long and meritorious service must be omitted, but it would be wrong not to draw attention to one more case, that of the recent Tyler, Bro. A. Davies. PPAGPurs, who, joining the Lodge in 1918, became Tyler in 1920, an office he held for 45 years until growing infirmities caused him to resign. After he had completed twenty-five years of Tylership the Provincial Grand Master bestowed on him Provincial Grand Rank, his regalia being presented by the Lodge. When he finally laid aside his rank the Lodge gave him a cheque subscribed for by the Brethren which amounted to £1 for each year of his service. In the course of time most Past Masters have received Provincial honours, and a list of such honours that have been thus awarded would undoubtedly make wearisome reading, so only a general reference to them need be made. The list is a long and honourable one, reminding us of the valuable services rendered to the Craft in general and to De Shurland Lodge in particular by those, who having performed their duties in the Chair, have by virtue of their knowledge, become high rulers in the craft. There remains, however, a special, indeed a vital duty and that is to insert in this volume the intense satisfaction and pride which all members have in the knowledge that some representatives of our company have been awarded the supreme honour of Grand Lodge Rank. WBro. H. Small, who died in 1935, became a Past Grand Standard Bearer. As this office was awarded at the time when that brother was secretary of Queenborough Lodge we can hardly claim a share in that honour. Then, in 1956, as has been stated elsewhere, WBro. J. Turk was also granted the 40

same distinction, but to our great sorrow, he did not live to be invested. However, the Lodge was not to be without a Grand Lodge Officer for long, for in March 1963, came the announcement that the Secretary. WBro. C. Woodley, PPJGD, had been elevated to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer in the Grand Lodge of England. WBro. Woodley had joined from another lodge in 1928, became Worshipful Master in 1940, at a time of great national anxiety, when by his leadership he steered the lodge through the first difficult months of the Second World War. Then he served successively as Treasurer and Secretary, a post he has held since 1949. Many and sincere were the congratulations offered to him on his advancement. The Lodge showed its appreciation by presenting him with the regalia of his new office, and a few privileged members were able to witness his investiture, afterwards holding a celebration dinner in a London restaurant, at which a hearty toast was drunk in honour of a very worthy recipient of a thoroughly deserved honour. On such a happy note it is wise to conclude this book which, it is hoped, will not only prove of value and interest to the members, helping them to understand the development of the Lodge from infancy to maturity but also that a certain amount of entertainment will have been found in its pages. Tennyson has remarked that “the old order changeth, yielding place to new”. What will De Shurland be like in the future? This centenary we are celebrating is but a milestone we must leave behind us. It is an achievement we can record with pride and pleasure, but our work leads ever onwards: many more milestones will be passed; many more events recorded; many more honours awarded in the course of time, and only the future pages of history will show whether the men of De Shurland Lodge have remained loyal to the Queen and the Craft, to the brotherhood of mankind, and to all the promises made in their obligations.

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May the Great Architect of the Universe inspire us all to give of our utmost in the cause of “Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth”, and lead us finally with honour to the Grand Lodge Above whence all goodness emanates.

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