Royal Marines 350th Anniversary
The event was held to celebrate the 350th Anniversary of the founding of the Corps in 1664.
RWBro Michael J Wilks the Provincial Grand Master granted the Dispensation in order that the event might happen. Additionally he was kind enough to offer the honour of making the meeting an ‘Official Visit’.
As can be seen from the photo below, he brought along the strongest of Provincial Teams to mark the last Official Visit of the current year, in the persons of VWBro Graham Williams DPGM, WBro Mark Mills-Goodlet and WBro Lt Col William Whithers APGMs, WBro Frank Milner Prov SGW accompanied by Sword and Standard bearers and many other senior officers. The Team was directed by the ProvDGDC WBro Peter Springett, ably supported by the ProvDC WBro Ian Preece!
WBro Jason Burcham, (WM RMPL, currently a Major in the Royal Marine Band Service, resplendent in full dress uniform) opened the meeting, he was supported by his usual Team of Officers. After the Provincial Party had entered WBro Burcham handed over the Lodge Ceremonial Gavel, (a Fairbairn Sykes fighting knife vintage 2nd World War) to the PGM informing him that, he was not used to handling such weapons, and as a Bandsman (a ‘thriller not a killer’) had been unable to get a tune from it! Once the PGM had handed back the Gavel & Chair the usual formalities were observed. The WM Then continued to the main business of the afternoon, to pass Bro Adrian Breen. As the Lodge was to be Opened in the Second Degree, Entered Apprentices were asked to stand and with the exception of Bro Breen to retire for a short while. Bro Breen, a RM Band Colour Sergeant was escorted around the Lodge and confidently answered all the questions the WM put to him. That was until he made the offer to put other questions should any Brother wish him to do so. At this point WBro Mike Barfoot-Franks (WM Lodge Marine No. 232) rose and asked to put additional questions! Bro Breen looked rather relieved when WBro Phil Shuttleworth MBE acting as Junior Deacon offered to answer them on his behalf. Once that obstacle had been successfully negotiated he was entrusted and had to leave the Lodge, remove his Dress Uniform and return wearing the traditional dress.
Whilst this was happening Lodge Officers were kind enough to give up their usual roles and WMs (or their representatives) from the other Lodges taking part were invited to assume them. WBro Ron Carter, WM PMPT Lodge No. 3609 as Senior Warden, WBro George Bell G & L Lodge No. 4657 as Junior Warden, WBro David Lofthouse WM Amphibious Lodge No. 9050 as Junior Deacon, and WBro Jon Clelford WM Cosham Lodge No. 6912 as Inner Guard.
This was a reprise of the last combined meeting held in 1984 with the same Lodges occupying the same offices.
The meeting then continued with as good a demonstration of the Ceremony of Passing as one could hope to see. Once completed Bro Breen was able to restore himself into his dress rig, return to the Lodge and give the Second Degree signs in the manner one would expect of a Royal Marine. WBro Terry Thompson (G & L Lodge) then gave a rendition of the 2nd Degree Tracing Board. This was thoroughly enjoyed and many could be heard to say it was the best they’d ever heard.
The main event over, it was time for the PGM to get practically involved. The WM invited RWBro Wilks to present a Grand Lodge Certificate to Bro Des Snowdon. This he did with relish, taking Bro Snowdon on an explanatory tour of the Lodge by a rather devious route ignoring all the normal ‘Squaring’ so beloved of RMPL DC’s, thus causing the current DC WBro Graham Jickels to squirm anxiously in his Chair biting his lip in order to refrain from giving the PGM corrective instructions!!! (Much to the PGM’s delight!)
The PGM continued by presenting WBro Burcham with a new WM’s Collar and cuffs which had been purchased to mark
the occasion from a small bequest left to the Lodge by Bro Frank Collingwood a past member of the Lodge who had been a serving RM Officer.
The Provincial Party then retired and the Lodge was closed in due form. Only to have Brethren return (after a very quick, refreshing drink) on what was the longest and probably the hottest day of the year, for photographs to be taken.
After a short refreshment break it was on to the Festive board. This was again a reprise of the light summer menu as was served at the last combined meeting held in 1984. With 138 sitting down to dine it was no mean feat that the staff made such a good job of serving up the fresh and delicious food. The traditional Toast List was observed with the addition of a Toast to the Worshipful Masters of Royal Marines Associate Lodges, proposed by WBro Jon Clelford WM Cosham Lodge No. 6912 and to The Royal Marines proposed by WBro David Colbourne Secretary RMP Lodge No. 6423. The Tyler’s Toast finally arrived and Brethren disappeared into the night for their journey’s home some of which were a lot further than others. All that remains now is to find another event that we can celebrate and not to leave it another 30 years before we do it again.
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