l-r Bill Culshaw, Daniel Senneck, John Wilson, Howard Jones

The Worshipful Master and brethren of Lodge of Grace 6418 were delighted and privileged to receive as their principal guest Assistant Provincial Grand Master Howard Jones to their installation on Tuesday evening. This was Howard ‘s first installation meeting since taking over supervision of the new Gladstone Group  he was accompanied by Gladstone Group Chairman Bill Culshaw also on his first installation representation

Having recently retired from a career as an airline pilot, which precluded regular attendance, John Wilson expressed a keenness to re-invigorate his masonic career, which immediately resulted in his elevation to Master Elect. One volunteer is worth ten pressed men as the saying goes.!!

John was then very ably installed in the Chair of King Solomon by Installing Master Daniel Senneck assisted by the brethren of the lodge. The final item of the installation ceremony was the presentation and explanation of the Hallstone Jewel delivered on this occasion by our senior Grand Officer Peter Poole,

On completion of the installation ceremony our principal guest conveyed the thanks and good wishes of the RW Provincial Grand Master to John Wilson. John then responded to this by presenting Howard with a cheque in the sum of £1000.00 to West Lancashire Freemasons Charity.

Twenty five members and guests heralded the new Worshipful Master at the festive board afterwards, during which Howard thanked the brethren for their continued hard work on behalf of the charities. He also took the opportunity to remind the members of the Royal Arch that the Royal Arch Festival was in progress and needed their continued support .

But you came from that Rodney Street consultant fraternity that has contributed so many distinguished names to this Lodge over the years, and here we might reminisce: on that great character, the diminutive dentist Sammy Lipkin; and of course on Andrew McKie Reid who, in addition to his eminence in the masonic, medical and military fields, had had the distinction of being the first initiate of this Lodge on the occasion of its first regular meeting on 14th November 1921, when the then Chancellor of the University, Lord Derby PrGM(ELancs), took the chair as its first IPM, and the Vice-Chancellor was its Senior Warden.

As an aside bretheren, when Andrew McKie Reid was initiated he was at the time also the student President of what was then the Guild of Undergraduates.  Which leads me to recall, Cyril, that for a time in your and my early years in this Lodge four past presidents of the Guild were active in the Lodge.  But that was in the days when there was only one University in Town, and the Lodge was much more closely associated with the University than now.  From its begining the Lodge met in the Gilmour Hall of the Students’ Union, which you will remember, Cyril, had four doors (and connected the separated men’s and women’s areas of the Union, men entered from Bedford Street, women from Mount Pleasant) — with the entrance to the Lodge guarded by our Tyler, who was also the Steward of the Union, at the foot of a winding staircase.

I have not had an opportunity to look back through the records but from among that Rodney Street group of medical consultants you set many other members of your profession onto the masonic path, by proposing them into this Lodge.  In addition to Amitav Ghosh, who is sorry not to be here tonight, many of us remember with affection Charles deBoer, Tom Forrest and Joe Siegler, each of whom I think you proposed into this Lodge.

Bretheren,  Cyril progressed through the offices of the Lodge to become our Master in 1964, at a time when the Lodge had had to leave the Students’ Union whilst it was being enlarged, and was meeting down town at the Constitutional Club in a hall on narrow Eberle St, off Dale St.  Some years later, having been cast out of the Union, the Lodge again became peripatetic.  Since then we have moved around a bit; here at the Liverpool Medical Institution we are now in the fourth venue since leaving the Gilmour Hall, which had been so well suited to our meetings.

As its Master you sought to improve our often shambolic working within the Lodge, by instituting rehearsals prior to meetings, that were held in your own home for many years, practices that many of us remember with gratitude.   You made yourself well versed in our Emulation ritual, in the Book of Constitutions, and in the history of Freemasonry, making the address to the Bretheren of the Lodge your own special contribution to our Installations.

After that your progress in Masonry was rapid, first into Provincial Grand Lodge, where in 1970 you had been appointed as the acting SGW of our West Lancashire Province, and later as a Grand Lodge officer.  In 1973 the PrGM chose you as his Assistant, a position that you held for 14 years.  As his Assistant you represented the PrGM at many, many Lodge Installations throughout this by far the largest of the non-Metropolitan Provinces of the UGLE, where you became known, loved and respected by so many West Lancashire freemasons, to the extent, bretheren, that, wherever one visits masonically in this part of the world, Cyril is known, bringing honour and glory to this Lodge as his Mother Lodge.

Cyril, we all hope you will be able to continue to attend our assemblies for many more years to come.

We need you there in the NorthEast, to remind us that “all things first were made by His creative FIAT” — and not by an Italian motor company !

J A Proudlove, PPrJGW, 4274

E comp Bob Rogers was ably installed into the first principals chair by E Comp Geoff Eastmond, the new 1st principal, installed E Comp Rob Burgess into the 2nd Principals chair, who in turn installed E Comp Ken Cox as 3rd Principal, a role he is quite familiar with having served the province in that role for some years.

E Comp Geoffrey Lee, PAGSoj, PrScribeE represented the Provincial Grand Superintendent. accompanied by E Comp Bill Culshaw, PPrSwdB, the Group Secretary of the Liverpool Gladstone Group of Lodges and Chapters. There were a number of distinguished guests who came to support the new First Principal, who being an enthusiastic member of a number of Chapters, had quite a loyal following. E Comp Geoffrey Lee, PAGSoj, PrScribe E, expressed the thanks of the province for a cheque for £300, made out to the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

All the members enjoyed a tasty festive board. E Comp Geoff Eastmond then proposed a hearty toast to the 3 principals, noting that E Comp Bob Rogers, was the only new principal in the chapter, and hopes he will be a breath of fresh air, as the other two are recycled in their roles.

E Comp Geoffrey Lee gave the response to the 3rd toast, in which he extolled all companions to encourage younger masons to join chapters to swell our numbers and enhance our enjoyment. As he said, the Royal Arch is a fascinating extension of craft masonry where master masons can enjoy a more relaxed informal evening with other experienced masons. The toast to our guests was given by E Comp Kai Hughes, the new Grand Orator, a role that hasn’t been filled for 200 years, he reminded us that ‘guests’, although not the reason for masonry, certainly enhance our enjoyment of it, something we all agreed with on the night. E Comp F R Pyne PPrGSN, Pr Almoner, gave the reply.

The evening was closed by the acting Janitor in traditional manner.

University Chapter of Liverpool, is keen to see new members, both joining and exaultees, interested masons should contact the Secretary; E Comp Alan Moore on 0151 355 0757 or by email at amoore2912@talktalk.net. We meet three times a year at the Liverpool Medical Institute; there is free parking and a comfortable facility for the meetings and festive board in a wonderful historic building in the centre of Liverpool.

Lt Cdr Ian Fraser pictured before his crew left to attack the “Takao” Japanese warship

A Liverpool Mason and war hero has been honoured by having the new Kings Parade promenade, in New Brighton named after him.

Ian Edward Fraser was born in Ealing, near London, on 18 December 1920, the elder son of Sydney Fraser.  When only a few months old he was taken out to Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, now the capital city of Malaysia, where his father was working as a marine engineer.

Ian’s education was the Royal Grammar School, at High Wycombe, and then aboard the training ship HMS Conway, on the River Mersey. It was from here, that in 1938 he joined the Merchant Navy with the Liverpool based Blue Funnel Line, serving as a cadet aboard the Tuscan Star, and the Sydney Star. While in the merchant service Ian joined the Royal Naval Reserve, and was sent to the battleship Royal Oak, as a midshipman for a short training period which found him aboard at the Fleet Review in July 1939 at Weymouth Bay, Dorset.

Pictured are Ian’s awards that are on permanent display at the Ashcroft Wing of the Imperial war museum London. They are as follows, Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, War medal 1939-45, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953, Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal 1977, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2002, Royal Naval Reserve Decoration with Long Service Clasp, Officer Legion of Merit (USA)

Shortly after the outbreak of war Ian was sent to serve in destroyers, including HMS Keith, HMS Montrose (in which he was at Dunkirk) and HMS Malcolm, when she with other convoy escorts sank U-651 in the Atlantic Ocean on June 29 1941. The following year Ian volunteered as a submariner and would serve in P35 and H43 before joining HMS Sahib in the “Fighting Tenth” submarine squadron in the Mediterranean. It was while he was with Sahib that he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in April 1943 after the Sahib, on January 21 1943, operating west of Corsica sank U-301 as well as several Axis supply ships.

Not long after being awarded the DSC Ian was granted leave to marry Melba Estelle Hughes, at Wallasey, Cheshire, who had been serving as a WREN when they met. This would prove to be a long and very happy union, and the couple would go on to have four sons and two daughters.

In March 1944 Ian responded to a call from Flag Officer Submarines asking for volunteers for “special and hazardous service with submarines”, and this was the start of his involvement with midget submarines. He was sent for training, first at Sheerness, Kent, and later to Londonderry, Northern Ireland, and familiarized himself with manoeuvring the vessel in shallow coastal waters.

The 10,000-ton Cruiser Takao

The Japanese heavy cruiser “Takao”, although damaged was causing great concern to the Allies in the Pacific. They could not afford to let her be repaired and return to the war where she was capable of causing much damage to our shipping in the area. The Royal Navy Midget Submarine XE3, with a crew of four men, Lieutenant Ian Fraser, Sub Lt Smith, Able Bodied Seaman Reid, and Acting Leading Seaman James Magennis, was dispatched to destroy it by diving underneath it and attaching limpet mines. This precarious mission, every second being fraught with danger, was eventually carried out successfully

For their actions, Ian Fraser and James Magennis were both awarded the Victoria Cross, which was published in the London Gazette of 13 November 1945 for their actions in the Johore Straits, Singapore, Malaya on Tuesday 31 July 1945. Ian and James both received their Victoria Cross from King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 11 December 1945. In the same year he was appointed an Officer of the US Legion of Merit, a wartime award which could only be given to non-American servicemen in the most exceptional circumstances, and then only on the recommendation of the American President. At this time the Borough of Wallasey, in which he lived, raised more than £300 by public subscription for Ian and presented him with a Sword of honour.

The Victoria Cross citation read: “The courage and determination of Lt Cdr Fraser are beyond all praise. Any man not possessed of his relentless determination to achieve his objective in full, regardless of all consequences, would have dropped his charges alongside the target.”

The award is the highest for valour in the face of the enemy.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC in 2005, three years before his death, Lt Cdr Fraser said: “The idea was for my X-craft to get underneath the Takao and for my diver, Leading Seaman Magennis, to get out and to place limpet mines along the bottom which would blow up and then the cruiser would sink.” The Takao was anchored with her stern 100 yards from the Singapore side in water that was only 11ft deep. She was resting across a 500ft depression in the seabed and Lt Cdr Fraser had to somehow get his submarine, undetected beneath the cruiser.

Ian Fraser in Liverpool

“Believe me it was no fun because the water was so very shallow,” he said. “I couldn’t get right underneath it because the top of the submarine was against the cruiser and the bottom of it was in the sea bed.” The first attempt failed. The waters were too shallow and the XE3 was forced to retreat. After waiting and reassessing the situation, they tried again an hour later. This time he managed to slip under the cruiser and frogman Magennis entered the waters and began attaching the limpet mines to the cruiser.

Lt Cdr Fraser said: “He had to scrape the hull of the Takao clean which was blooming hard work, and then he had to pull the magnets from the chargers and stick them to the bottom. “Port side to the X-Craft we had four tonnes of high explosives called Amatol and this had to be released as one big charge right under the centre. The tide was going down. The cruiser had come a little lower in the water and we had one hell of a job.”

After half an hour the XE3 came out from under the Takao, only to face a second and potentially more dangerous obstacle. “The container for the limpet mines hadn’t released itself. There was no way we could make it back out to sea with this weight stuck to our side. “Leading Seaman Magennis immediately said: ‘I will go out and do it, sir’ and he got out, released it and it fell away from the side. The job was done and eventually we came home.”

For his role in sinking the U-301 and several Axis ships on the west coast of Corsica on Sahib in January 1943, Lt Cdr Fraser was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).

Melba Fraser said she thought it was a "wonderful" honour

Ian’s Masonic career began on 2 February 1952 when he was initiated at Liverpool into Mersey Lodge No 5199, along with Frank Currie Coupland, and on 28 October 1953 the two were exalted into Empire Holy Royal Arch Chapter No 3257.

Just over 10 years after his initiation Ian became a joining member of Croxteth United Service Lodge No 786 on 2 March 1962. Ian’s younger brother, Brian Fraser also join his brother’s lodge being initiated into Mersey Lodge No 5199 on 5 December 1953. Ian become a Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 1979, and was known to be a member of a conclave in the Red Cross of Constantine.

Ian was a member of Croxteth United Lodge No 786 until his death in 2008 at the age of 87.

Drummers from the Ellesmere Port Sea Cadets

The Imperial Sefton Lodge 680 celebrated Trafalgar Day with a 3rd Degree ceremony in the Lodge in the presence of new joining member John.V.Moore. PSGD, APrGM and a Trafalgar Dinner afterwards.

WM, Bro Rob Lickley was piped into dinner by the Ellesmere Port Sea Cadet piper and followed by a magnificent display of drumming by other members of the cadet unit.

The WM presented a cheque for £200 to the Sea Cadets to help with the funding of this very valuable local youth group, as a way of offering the lodge’s thanks.

The evening proceeded in nautical theme with various toasts and a menu containing Beef Wellington amongst other treats.

W.Bro E.W.Waites gave the Nelson Prayer after which the WM proposed the toast to ‘The Immortal Memory of Nelson and all who died with him’, the tipple for the toast was ‘Nelsons Blood Rum’.

A quiz was held with 10 Nelson/Trafalgar question, which was won by John.V.Moore, the WM presented him with a bottle of Nelson’s Blood Rum’

All in all a very successful evening – our thanks to everyone who made it possible, including the staff and chef from the Artists Club

The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Hazel Williams, welcoming W. Bro. Michael Hill to the Civic Servic

For the first time, at least for many years, the Province was asked to take part in Liverpool’s Civic Service at the Anglican Cathedral.

It was a glittering occasion, presided over by the Bishop of Liverpool and attended not only by the Lord Mayor and the Mayors of adjoining boroughs in all their municipal pomp but by representatives of Liverpool’s business life and many charities and sundry community groups of all descriptions.

Coachloads of schoolchildren also attended, many taking part in the proceedings.

W. Bro Michael Hedley Hill, PSGD, APrGM. and W.Bro. Paul Shepherd, PJGD, the Chairman of the Liverpool Gladstone Group of Lodges and Chapters, represented the Province.

W. Bro Michael Hedley Hill said: ” It is gratifying that, at long last,  the massive contribution made to the life of the City by Freemasons has been recognised”

WBro John Lloyd PAGDC MBE

W Bro John Lloyd has been honoured by the Queen in her Birthday list.

A member of the Liverpool Cathedral choir since 1938, John was awarded the MBE for voluntary service to the Cathedral.

John says, “I joined the choir in 1938, aged 10.  At the cathedral, when  boys leave the choir after their voices break, they can join what is called the ‘Cross Guild’ which is an association founded by Dean Dwelly, the first Dean of Liverpool. The aim is to maintain contact with the ex choristers and for them to continue to take part in the ceremonial and processional parts of the religious services, mainly on Sundays.   It is a unique organisation.   I have been a member since I left the choir, an association going back 72 years.  I act as the Beadle, who carries the mace and leads the processions.”

The Cathedral remains a big part of John’s life.

In his time, John has seen six Deans pass through the role.

He was married to his first wife, Nancy there – she sadly passed away in 1983.

His two daughters Heather and Wendy were christened and married there along with his grandchildren.

Latterly John and his new wife Mo were married there five years ago this month.

John has been fortunate to see many large services taking place including participation by eminent and interesting people including royalty.

John met and chatted with the Queen at the Maundy Service a few years ago and on another occassion spoke to Prince Charles.

John was initiated into Liverpool Mercantile Lodge in 1977 and was WM in 1983. He was appointed PrGSuptWks in 1992 and in 1998 was promoted to be a Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies.

John joined the Chapter of Perseverance in 1987 and served as its First Principal in 1994. His first Provincial appointment in the Royal Arch was in 2001 as a PPrAGDC and he was promoted to be PPrAGSoj in 2009

Congratulation to WBro John Lloyd PAGDC MBE for the recognition of his dedication.

Prof. Jim Alty together with Roy and the second candidate, Matt Casson

The photograph shows the WM, Prof. Jim Alty together with Roy and the second candidate, Matt Casson in the lodge room at Liverpool Medical Institution.

In March in an event without precedent in West Lancashire and by special dispensation 5 candidates were initiated in a single ceremony.

Two were undergraduates at the University of Liverpool and Hope University, and the others part-time students or recent graduates.