In Memoriam

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1. Derek Smith 10 September 2020

   It is with sadness that I report the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of Bro Ainsley Newton a long time member of Medina Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Lodges early this morning following a battle with prostate cancer. He will be sorely missed by those who were fortunate to know him.

2. David Smith 9 September 2020

   Roy was a very active Mason, being admitted into Caer Gwent No 5071 in the early 70’s and Economy Chapter a few years later, being Master of his craft Lodge in 1983 and ‘Z’ in 2002 he was granted Provincial honours in 1991 and 2006.
   Roy’s love however was his Mark. Where he belonged to 3 Mark Lodges and 5 RAM. He was advanced into Winchester Mark 969 and elevated into Loveland RAM, being Master in 1991 and Commander in 1999 achieving PGStdB in 2009, and in 2011 he achieved his RAMGR.
   For many years he was either Secretary/Scribe, Treasurer and Charity Steward in all of his many Lodges. In Mark he joined Meridies Hants & I of W IMM’s and Meridies, Hants & I of W I Cdr’s, Wyndham and across the Border he was a Founder of the Stuart Parry Lodge of Installed Commanders in Wiltshire.
   He also supported the Progressive and Select Orders.
   He joined Silchester Council No 226 in the Cryptic Order of R & S Masters in 2005.
   Then joining Anna Valley Council as their first Candidate in 2006. He was Treasurer and Charity Steward for many years and then promoted to Assistant District Grand Secretary from 2014 to 16. He was, incidentally, down to be balloted for as a joining Member of Wey Valley Council.

   Roy is survived by his loving wife ‘Sandy’, son Graham and daughter Elizabeth to whom we all offer our condolences on the loss of a very highly thought of Brother,

3. Malcolm Lloyd 3 September 2020

   It is with very much sadness that I report the death of W. Bro. Roy Ford, who passed to the Grand Lodge above on 2nd September, 2020. Roy had not enjoyed good health for sometime but kept a cheerful front. He was a most willing member of a number of Mark and RAM Lodges, achieving the Rank of PGStd B and RAMGR. As a treasurer in different Lodges he was excellent. He will be very much missed, especially by myself

4. George Deacon 1 September 2020

   It is with sadness that I have to inform you of the passing of Sue Jennings, the wife of W.Bro. Donald V Jennings, who passed away on Sunday 30 August 2020 after a long illness. Sue fought courageously against her illness for many years and continued to support Don during his term of Provincial Grand Senior Warden.
   Our thoughts and Prayers are with Don and his Family during this sad time.

5. Brian Durrant 28 August 2020

   W.Bro David Thomas PGJO sadly passed away on 26th May 2020. David’s funeral took place on 16th June but unfortunately due to circumstances with the Covid-19 lockdown only close family could attend the funeral.

   W.Bro David was a member of Gosport Lodge of Mark Master Mason No 305 and will be greatly missed not only by the Brethren of No 305 but right across our Province and beyond.

6. George Deacon 26 August 2020

   On Saturday 22nd August 2020 R.W. Bro. Alan Brunning, Past PGM of Berkshire and a member of Mercury Mark passed to the Grand Lodge above after a long illness. I concur with R.W. Bro. Richard Oliver’s comment “ A great PGM and a lovely man who lived respected and died regretted. Alan was a tremendous support to our Province in Nigel Buckingham times. He was a Member of Oakley Lodge of MMM.

7. Malcolm Lloyd 24 August 2020

   W, Bro. Terrance Desmond Stone, passed to the Grand Lodge Above on 14th August, 2020, six weeks after the death of his wife.
   He was Advanced to the Degree of Mark Master Mason in William Hickman Lodge, No. 320, 0n 30th October, 2007, and Elevated to the Degree of Royal Ark Mariner on 12th February, 2008. He progressed to the chair in both Degrees and assumed the duties of Secretary of William Hickman Lodge in 2013, an office he still held at the time of his passing. W. Bro. Terry was promoted to PPGJD in Mark. Terry was a very keen Freemason, a loving family man and a good friend to all his many contacts. Brian Wisbey states, “He lived respected and died regretted.” He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him. My thanks to Adrian Cleighton-Hills for some information.

8. Malcolm Lloyd 17 August 2020

   It is with sadness that I report the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of W. Bro. Ronald Parvin on 23rd May, 2020. Ron was a long serving member of both Harmony Mark Lodge and Harmony RAM Lodge until he resigned due to ill health. The Lodge made him an Honorary Member.

9. Malcolm Lloyd 13 August 2020

   It is with sadness that I report the passing of W. Bro. Peter Campbell Lawes who died peacefully on 2nd August, 2020. He was a good family friend of Brian Cox, who sent me these details.
   Peter was the longest serving member of the Connaught Lodge MMM, No. 694, having been Advanced on 4th January, 1971. He was Installed as master in 1989 and served the Lodge as Almoner, Treasurer and Chaplain, with dignity and held the Office P. Prov. G.J.W. W. Bro. Peter was a true and honourable gentleman and a dedicated Mark Master Mason.
   Peter Thorne informs me that Peter Lawes was involved with telecommunications at a high level and was a lecturer at Southampton Technical College. In the 1950s Peter Lawes could be found playing the bass at the Top Rank Ballroom in Southampton.
   He lived respected and died regretted, what a man to have known

10. Malcolm Lloys 1 August 2020

    It is with sadness that I report the passing to the Grand Lodge Above of Bro Chris Cross, P Prov. GStBr, of Unity Mark Lodge, No. 381. Chris did not join Masonry until later in life but was an active member in all the Orders that he Joined. He was well liked and had a go at anything for the sake of the Lodge. He had no aspirations to progress but was promoted to a Provincial Past rank in Mark due to his dedication. He lived respected and and died regretted.

11. Malcolm Lloyd 20 July 2020

    It is with sadness that I report the passing of W. Bro. Michael Rushton, who died peacefully on 17th July with his daughter, Wendy, at his side. He was a good member of Unity Mark Lodge number, 381, where he was Advanced on 24th January 1979, becoming Worshipful Master in 1986 and 2007. Mike was always active and willing to help out, being a good mason and above all a very good man, never an ill word about anyone. He will be missed.

12. Patrick Burridge 16 July 2020

    W Bro Jack Alfred Webb PGJD Saturday 11th July 2020
    Bro Jack was initiated into Shalden Mark Lodge on 1st March 1978 passing through all the offices before being made an honorary member of the Lodge on 6th May 2015. He achieved Mark Grand Rank in June 1994
    Through the sterling efforts of Robin Spray, Chris Bryan and Derek Elphee, who unstintingly taxied Jack to and from his care home in Basingstoke, Jack had been able to attend a number of meetings over the past few years despite frailties of body and memory. Few who were there will forget Jack’s surprise and unbridled joy when presented with his 40 years certificate by the PGM, R W Bro GJ Deacon PGM at our meeting in October 2018. Here is a quote from the minutes of the day:
    “The PGM rose and commented that it was such a delight to be here …………………the primary purpose of his visit … was to present W Bro Jack Webb with a 40 year certificate, the contents of which he read aloud. Bro Jack was completely and pleasantly shocked, and this was writ loud on his face! R W Bro George Deacon presented W Bro Jack Webb with his certificate. The members rose in a spontaneous standing ovation clearly pleased that their friend and Brother had been so recognised.
    The smile widened on Bro Jack’s face and he gave a moving speech in heartfelt thanks, mentioning that he had no idea this would happen.”
    We mourn the loss of a great Mark Mason of whom we have many such happy memories.

13. Malcolm Lloyd 13 July 2020

    It was with much regret that I received the notification of Alan Tibble’s death. We were members together of Clausentum OSM and King Alfred Council, Royal and Select Masters. He was always ready with a quick quip on matters, a good sense of humour but at the same time a dedicated Mason. I, like many others, will miss his presence at meetings, Rest in peace Alan. Malcolm Lloyd

14. Malcolm Lloyd 13 July 2020

    From the Provincial Grand Master, George Deacon. W. Bro. Alan Tibble passed away on the 3rd July 2020. Alan was a very keen Mason and very active in all the units he was a member of. He always had a cheerful countenance even through ill health. Alan was a Member of Craft Lodge of Maturity, 9390, Hampshire Chapter of Emulation, 1990, Chandlers Ford Mark, 1258. PProv GJW, Chandlers Ford RAM, Prov. RAMGR, and other Companion and Progressive Orders. As a member of the Mark and RAM he will be sadly missed; he lived respected and died regretted. Ian Vincent

15. George J Deacon 12 July 2020

    Alan Tibble was a great character with a good sense of humour, a devoted husband and a true Brother who was a very caring soul. Alan was known to us through other Orders of Masonry and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our Prayers and thoughts go out to Alan’s wife and Family at this very sad time. It was an honour to know you Alan. George PGM

16. Malcolm Lloyd 5 June 2020

    Bro. Richard James Plant, affectionately known as Jim, was called to the Grand Lodge above on 28th May, 2020. He was a regular member of Medina Mark Lodge, No. 140, until his health failed him over the last few years. He did not wish to progress but was a stalwart of the Lodge. Jim was a kind, gentle man who will be greatly missed.

17. Patrick Burridge 30 May 2020

    Derek Clark Robson was born in Leeds on 9 October 1930. He graduated with a BSc at Manchester University in 1952 before postgraduate studies lead to a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery and subsequently A Doctor of Medicine at Leeds Medical School in 1957.

    He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1958, spending his entire medical career there, specialising in Pathology. Notably, for ten years Derek lead the Army’s pioneering research into the use of frozen blood; a project that would have been invaluable in the event of major conflict during the Cold War. Later his service took him to military hospitals in Hong Kong and Germany as a Consultant Pathologist, but he still maintained a watching brief on the frozen blood project. His last three years before retirement were spent as Director of Army Pathology in the rank of Colonel.

    Freemasonry was to form a big part of Derek’s life, and indeed his future wife, Val’s too. He was originally Initiated into Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge No1971 on 22nd May 1987 becoming its Master in 1997. He was next Exalted into Connaught Chapter No1971 on 24 September 1999 becoming M.E.Z. in 2006.

    Closer to the family home, he also joined a lodge in Alton, Amery Lodge No6510 in 1993 becoming its Master in 2010, and later in 2002, he joined St. Lawrence Chapter No2016, leading to being acclaimed as M.E.Z. in 2008.

    Coming into Freemasonry later in life he made up for time by his enthusiasm, in addition to his Craft and Chapter memberships, he was a member of two Mark Lodges. On 23rd March 2012 Derek was Advanced into the Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge of Mark Masters No349, meeting in Farnborough, and succeeded to Master in October 2015. Having given up driving though, he found it very convenient to attend a more local Mark Lodge in Alton, which met within walking distance. And so it was that Derek became a great friend of the Shalden Mark Lodge No988 where so popular and well respected was he that he was invited to join the Lodge – which he did in March 2017, and was Installed as their Worshipful Master just 2 months later in May. Derek would have been made an Honorary Member of Shalden Mark today had his untimely passing not precluded it. Such was the esteem in which he was held here.

    He was also a Rose Croix Mason having joined the Army and Navy Chapter No260 which meets in Bordon.

    Derek was married to Val who he met when a medical student. Val was herself an active Lady Freemason who belonged to Meon Vale Ladies Lodge and predeceased him.

    Val and Derek moved to Chawton in 1967 into the historic “Baigens” which holds a prominent position in the Winchester Road. Baigens can trace its origins back to the 15th Century and whilst carrying out renovations, Derek discovered historic wall paintings which had lain covered for centuries.
    (source: http://www.hantsfieldclub.org.uk/publications/news44/build44a.html)

    Derek was also a gifted mechanical engineer maintaining his beloved Riley which went through several iterations during its life and which he showed proudly to an appreciative few! Derek was the most gentle of men.

18. John Burrell 26 May 2020

    I knew Myron Peacock as a stalwart of Carnarvon MM and RAM No 62. I enjoyed his sunny disposition and valued the gentle words of advice and encouragement that he gave me over the years. I shall miss him very much.

19. Patrick Burridge 10 May 2020

    John Jopling of Shalden Mark No 988, Winchester RAM No 969 and Wey Valley AMD No 219. John was the embodiment of a Mark Mason: kind, gentle and fun – and an academic. I owe him a great deal personally, because John was the man who “eased” me into Mark Masonry, one of the best decisions of my life. Despite some ongoing health issues, his passing came as a great shock to everyone, notably his wife Irene. Irene has endured the rigors of losing John during lockdown, not easy. He will be particularly missed at Winchester RAM, where he was the “go to” member to stand in where necessary. The world needs more “John Joplings”, he will be missed by all that knew him.

20. George J Deacon 8 May 2020

    Myron Peacock of Carnarvon Lodge of MMM No 62 sadly passed away on the 8th of May . He was a lovely man gentle man and always had a smile even though he was registered blind and Diabetic. Myron was active in all the Units he was a Member of and received great support from his wife June. He was a great character and will be sorely missed.