Some Lodge members attended
Amongst those remembered was W.Bro Percy Harris
Stan lit a candle for him on our behalf
___________________
Sad News
One of our widows Mrs Lillian Bond past away on the
2nd Nov,
her daughter thanked the lodge for their Birthday and
Christmas cards,
money and support over the years,
but requested no cards ,flowers or donations.as its a
private ceremony.
S & F Tony Carter
Almoner
Widow of the late W.Bro Ernie Warbey
__________________
Tribute
to W.Bro Percy Harris
Percy was born in Birkenhead on 4th
November
1929. He was educated there and served his apprenticeship
as an electrician after which he joined the RAF.
Whilst in the RAF he served at Lichfield, High Wycombe,
Nicosia Cyprus, Iraq and Jordon. He also took part in the
atomic tests at Christmas Island flying into the atomic
cloud collecting samples.
He was demobbed on the 23rd
June
1959 having served 12 years with the RAF.
When he returned to UK he found his parents had moved from
Birkenhead to Shenley Road Dartford. Percy then obtained
employment at Crayford as a Senior Electrical Design
Engineer where he worked up to his retirement in 1994.
He joined Crayford Lodge in 1978. He was, together with
Mike Dyer, and Ernie Warbey interviewed at the Scouts Hall
Crayford. He was initiated into the Lodge by W.Bro Dick
Abrey. He was in the Chair in1984. Assistant Director of
Ceremonies from 1997 - 2002. And Director of Ceremonies and
Perceptor from 2002 -2009 He was made an Honouree Member of
the Lodge in 2010.
He was also a member of Justin Lodge and Chapter, a member
of Rose Croix
and a
senior member of Knights Templar.
He was honoured by the Province in 1992 as Past Provincial
Assistant Grand Registrar promoted in1999 to Past
Provincial Senior Grand Deacon and again in 2007 as Past
Provincial Grand Superintendant of Works.
He enjoyed his holidays in Germany and Lanzoritti on many
occasions.
He was a keen member of the Conservative Club and the
Glentworth ex Services Club.
He suffered a stroke in 2008 and was then a resident at
Duke of Kent Court up to his death. He will be sorely
missed by this Lodge and by other Masonic Bodies he was
connected with.
__________________________
Sandra was Tony Brackell's partner and Mother of his
children
Members of the Lodge attended the Funeral on Wednesday 10th
November 2010
___________________________
Tribute to W.Bro Eric White. Delivered at Lodge meeting on
September 22nd 2010 by W.Bro Brian White
A Friend and not related
_________________________
A large contingent from Crayford Lodge attended Eltham
Crematorium on 16th August for the Funeral.
Doris was the Wife of Terry, Treasurer of our Daughter
Lodge, St Paulinus.
____________________
Tribute to Brother Bill given
at Lodge meeting on Wednesday 24th March 2010 by Brian
Butler
Worshipful
Master and Brethren.
Roderick William Bootman who we knew as Billy was born in
1927 at Flordon, Norfolk. Then
moved to Bexley when he was about 8.
I first met Bill when I was visiting a friend in 1952.
There was a knock at the door and two
diminutive figures entered dressed in full‐length
leather coats. They were Bill and Lillie who
were visiting my friend’s brother. They were riding a
Vincent motorcycle, hence the coats.
Having met Bill I kept in touch with him when we were both
working for J & E Hall. I
remember seeing Bill box in Halls Canteen where boxing
tournaments were held.
I witnessed him boxing at the Royal Albert Hall at the ABA
Championship alongside Dave
Charnely A crowd from Halls hired a coacd attended the
championships. Bill reached the
final of the Bantamweight but unfortunatly only received a
runner up trophy.
Bill commenced his apprenticeship as a fitter at Halls in
1942. On completion of his
apprentice he joined the Merchant Navy as a seagoing
engineer with Cunard sailing between
Liverpool and Montreal and later on Queen Elizabeth between
Southampton and New York.
Bill met Lily at New Cross Speedway and they were married
for 55 years. He gave up seagoing
when his family came along when he worked for LCC at
Deptford Pumping Station, changing
his career at age of 40 to become a Work Study Practitioner
for Thames Water at Crossness.
He qualified in Institute of Managers at the age of 40.
Bill was a great friend of Ron Camp. Ron and I shared an
allotment, as it was 2/3rds of an acre
Bill joined us to share the load and reward.
Bill still had his Vincent Motorcycle, indeed he had
increased his collection to 3 plus I believe
a Brough Superior. He recently sold these to I believe a
member the Vincent Owners Club to
which he was a member up to his death.
I joined Crayford Lodge through Ron Camp in 1980. Bill was
a regular visitor being a member
of Methinim Lodge No 8552 which he joined in the 50s who
meet at Welling. I attended
his Ladies Night in 1988 at the Yorkshire Grey. A great
evening for Bill and Lily.
Bill worked for my company for a few years. Travelling in a
van we would work a degree.
Methinim worked Craft Guide, at one time he impressed on me
three marching steps, I
said this at our Lodge of Instruction and Eric Gulston our
Perceptor at the time blew his
top. Where did you get that from? Thats not Emulation work
he said.
Bill although a PM was not happy at Methinim Lodge and
become a joining member of
Crayford on 24th
January
2001.
He was honoured as Past Prov Junior Grand Deacon.
Bill and Lillie have 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren and a
great grandchild.
Best holidays for he and Lily were on the Isle of Man,
especially on TT Week.
He was an avid Stamp Collector, keen gardener. Had a love
of Wedgwood china and fine
glass.
Sadly Lillie died in Jan 2004
Bill will be missed in the Lodge, as he always supported us
in the Lodge, our Social
events and his Charity Contributions.
Bill died on February 25th in Darent Valley Hospital after
a short illness aged 83
The funeral will be at Eltham Crematorium on
31st
March at
11.30. followed by a reception
here.
Brethren please be upstanding and stand in silent tribute
to our departed brother.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
W.Bro Stan Powsey who was for many years our Tyler.
A member of Seven Stars Lodge. He was a great guy and will
be sadly
missed at Dartford Masonic Centre
________________________
The
memorial seat in memory of Brother Eric which the
Lodge contributed to, will be presented to the people
of Bramley on Sunday 29th November. Any brother
wishing to attend, contact Brian.
Eric
Gulston's Funeral Service will be on Monday 6th July at
12.30.
St James Church, Bramley, Hants
Cremation -Family Only
After Service Cliff Meadows Centre. Bramley, for
refreshments.
Donations to Eileen or Funeral Directors to go towards
Commerative Bench at Cliff Meadows ( Where he worked as a
Caretaker for some time.
Sincerely and fraternally
Brian
W.Bro Eric Gulston MM, has answered the kind messenger
sent to translate him from this imperfect to that
all-perfect Celestial Lodge
at 6.0 pm BST 20 June 2009.
R. I. P.
We extend our condolences to the family and friends of our
Bro Eric
W.Brother
Eric was Initiated into Crayford Lodge on
23rd
January
1974.
He took the Chair twice. First in 1983 and again in1992.
He was for many years DC and Preceptor of our Lodge of
Instruction
He is shown here with Eileen his wife at a Crayford Ladies
Night.
He will be sadly missed
We regret
to announce the death of the Widow of Dougie Harris who was
a Past Master of the Lodge. Mrs Harris died in her sleep
aged 101
Presented to Lodge on 28th January 2009
Ernie Warbey
Ernie was born in Hackney in 1930. Being one of nine
children he had a very hard childhood. He told me he worked
in a local market and as a driver’s assistant after
school at the age of 9.
At the age of 18 he joined the London Fire Brigade and
served with them for 30 years, finally being invalided out
after suffering a back injury, which he received when a
beam fell on him whilst fighting a fire. On his retirement
from the Brigade he set up with Dougie Horsman as a fire
detection installer. He then worked as a Bookeeper for
Steve Roe. Before retiring.
Ernie married Doreen in the 50s having two daughters Gloria
and Carol.
Doreen died in the late 70s.
Ernie married Eunice in 1996 ?, together they moved into a
bungalow in Strood later moving to Cliftonville.
Ernie had many interests, woodturning, bowls and Masonry.
He had extensively travelled, visiting on holiday the USA,
Canada, Greece amongst others
He was adventurous having taken part in scuba diving,
powered hang gliding and in his younger days camping and
caravanning.
His Masonic Career began in 1978 when our old friend Ron
Camp proposed him into Crayford Lodge. He progressed
through the various offices being in the Chair in 1985 and
then served as Treasurer from 1988 until 1993. He was
Chaplain from 1996 until 2001. He joined Atlantes Lodge who
met at Great Queen Street in 1980 and was the Master in
1986 and again in 1993. He served as Secretary from August
1990 until May 1993 resigning from the Lodge in
1994
He was a founder member of Star of Phoenix Lodge, which at
the time consisted of members of London Fire Brigade
Ernie was of Grand Rank, London Senior Grand Rank and a
Provincial Officer of West Kent.
He joined Priory Chapter in January 1983, and was MEZ in
2002. He was proposed by Ron Camp and seconded by
Henry Ross.
On moving to Clintonville he joined Reculver
Lodge and Knights Templar.
Ernie was a dedicated Kt. from The Thanet Preceptory No.
401 and reached the office of 2nd constable He was a
wonderful supporter of The Preceptory of Improvement and
would do any thing asked of him.
He was a keen member of St Peters Church, Broadstairs and
with his woodworking experience was happy to make the
candlesticks, which adorn the Church.
A few years back a member of a Lodge in Tasmania visited
Crayford Lodge and presented the Lodge with a Gavel made
from a Tasmanian hardwood. Typically of Ernie he had made a
candlestick that he presented to our visitor. I am told
this now takes pride of place at Installation meetings of
Scotch College Lodge in Tasmania.
My personal memories are numerous. I first become friendly
with Ernie at the first Ladies Night in 1980 my wife and I
attended after I became a Mason. We sat at the same table
and somehow become involved with ticket folding, as he was
organising the raffle.
Over the following 28 years the friendship grew. We
attended many functions with him and Eunice and shared
holidays with them in Crete, Mainland Greece, Canada and
recently a week on a canal in a longboat. All great times
and with lots of memories.
Ernie was a kind and loyal friend and will be sadly missed
Brian Butler
With Deepest Regret I report
The passing of Henry Mow who died last week, I am unable to
give the
date, but unfortunately his funeral was today ( Tuesday
29th July 2008 )
Sorry but I was unable to let you no earlier due to my
internet failing,
and I only received the information late yesterday ( Monday
28th July 2008 )
Ron Bodkin
Henry and his son were members of the Lodge in the early
80's
Ed
It was with great sadness the death of Lorna Fonseca the
wife of Euclid Fonseca a past Charity Steward was
announced.
A service will be held at St Savoir Church. Lewisham High
Road at 10.0am on Tuesday 24th
June.
Internment at Hither Green at 11.30am.
Since this meeting we have learnt of the death of Fran
Baston wife of Reg Baston a frequent visitor from Dublin.
The Almoner has sent condolences from the Lodge.
As Lorna died after a long fight against Parkinson Disease
the WM has decided to make his list for his year
Parkinson’s disease Charity.
The Lodge Mourns the Passing to Higher Service of
Henry Ross, who has been an Honorary Member of the Lodge
for many years.
W Bro Henry
Ross passed to Higher Service in the early hours of 3rd
December.
On 13th October 2006 of Brother Douglas Bott
From
the Almoner
I regret
to inform you that W.Bro Chris Wenham passed to Higher
Service on Thursday 15th
February.
More details to follow.
Eulogy to W.Bro Chris Wenham by Ben Nicholls
At March meeting
Today we mourrn the passing of Brother Thomas Christopher
John Wenham who died on the 15th
February
2007. (Six days before his 86th
Birthday)
having completed 50 years in Freemasonry.
Worshipful Brother Chris was initiated into his beloved
Crayford Lodge in 1954 where he joined a brotherhood of
colleagues, all who worked in different departments at the
old Bexley Council Offices. : - Jack Woodhouse, Frank
Stevens, Gus Glover, Charlie Scothern and David Pyman.
They may not have been founders, but they certainly helped
to lay the foundations of Crayford Lodge, under the rigid
guidance of their Director of Ceremonies, W.Bro Freddie
Sheppard.
Chris was a true Freemason in every sense, always ready to
help, always a kind word of assurance to a Candidate before
Initiation.
He was a unique character, a cheerful nature with a great
sense of fun.
Working at the Treasurers Department at Bexley Council, he
was a great asset as Auditor and financial adviser to the
Lodge.
Chris lived in a large detached house in Knoll Road, Bexley
and when he retired from the Council and his family had
left home, he and Esther moved into a bungalow in the
village of Tisbury outside Salisbury. They soon became
involved in the activities of village affairs. They joined
the local Church and for many years Chris sang in the
Choir.
He never felt inclined to join another Lodge but did inform
me of his visit to the Stonehenge Lodge.
From his many letters it was obvious he never lost his love
for Crayford Lodge, for he was most interested in what was
going on- anxious to receive the next News Letter.
He would always enquire about the Widows with “please
remember me to Audrey Glover. Have you seen Maria Glover
lately, is Kathy Harris still with us?”
His utter joy when our Secretary printed and sent out the
Minutes of our Meetings. Now he was back at Crayford. I
know he missed so much.
He was very appreciative of the “get well
cards” we all signed and sent, and even from his
hospital bed managed to drop me a line of thanks.
His passing saddens those who had the privilege of knowing
Chris Wenham