Page 8 - Triangle Spring 2007 Issue 2

Letters Thank you to all Somerset the elder, Dennis by
name and Dad to
to the Mark Master Masons Toby. Many fathers
It is with the greatest of pleasure
editor that I write through our newsletter to have Initiated their
sons into various
thank you all for your generosity and Degrees, but this
hardwork in raising over £26000 for occasion was very
my Endoscope appeal. It really was a magnif cent effort special, not only for
by everyone concerned and I am very proud of what the the Master, but for
Mark Master Masons in Somerset had achieved in such those who witnessed
a short period of time. This wonderful total will be used it. All went very well;
for the purchase of equipment at the Bath Royal United the Candidate was
Hospital which is the region centre for treating urological suitably admonished
health problems. An off cial handover was made by me in the very best
on the 26 January and I had the support from Brethren manner and eventually welcomed into the Lodge by the
th
of every Lodge in the Province for which I was most Master who presented him with a book of Ritual and a
grateful. To help the community and ourselves in such Lodge tie.
a worth while project is I believe at the heart of Masonic This happy atmosphere continued into the Festive Board
charity and everyone in Somerset can be justly proud of when Dennis reminded his worshipful son that this was
our success in raising this truly marvellous total. a long awaited return match, for had he not Initiated him
David Nelson into the King Alfred Craft Lodge f fteen years ago! All in
Provincial Grand Master
all a happy ending to a not-to-be-forgotten evening. The
The Late Jim Webber raff e raised £202 which will be presented to the Weston-
I was saddened to read W Bro Jim Webber’s obituary in super-Mare Guide Dogs for the Blind, the chairman being
Bro. Chas Heard, Senior Overseer of the Lodge.
the last edition of your excellent magazine. He was a long- Pat Morrisey, Secretary
time friend of my late father and a lovely man.
Your readers may be interested to learn a few details of Burns Night at George Norman
his distinguished war record.
On 7 November 1942 the 10th Battalion Somerset Light
th
Infantry was re-badged as the 7th (Light Infantry) Battalion
of the Parachute Regiment. At 00.50 hrs on D-day (6
th
June 1944) the Battalion parachuted into Normandy with
the task of securing and holding the area surrounding
the bridges across the Caen Canal and Rover Orme at
Bénouville and Ranville (now known as Pegasus and
Horsa bridges respectively). A detachment of the 2nd
Bn the Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry had
already landed alongside the bridges by Horsa Glider at
00.10 hrs and taken the German guards by surprise. No.
2 Commando Brigade, the f rst detachment ashore on
Sword Beech, eventually relieved the Airborne Forces at Goodness knows what Burns would have made of it, the
14.00 hrs. Master, Ted George wearing a tartan bonnet and a shock
Two 7th (L.I.) Para soldiers involved that day were later of Orange hair while the address to the Haggis given
to become prominent Somerset Masons – Capt. Jim J. by “wee” Jimmy Halfpenny in full highland dress and a
Webber (2i/c of A Coy) and Capt. John D. Went (Admin wooly hat! But everyone there enjoyed an exceptional
Capt. of H.Q. Coy). A Coy held the forward easterly f ank advancement ceremony, not
against determined German counter-attacks for most of D- least the candidate Nigel Lovett
day. Active command was exercised by Capt. Jim Webber, (left of WM) followed by a raucus
the only Off cer on his feet, despite having received a festive board!
gunshot wound to the chest. John Went served throughout
the War relatively unscathed and was later promoted to the Mark Masters
rank of Major. Among the many decorations gazetted after Mervyn Western has been a
that momentous day was a M.C. for Capt. Webber. member of Carnarvon Lodge for
Dr Roger H Jago. PM Taunton School Lodge, over 25 years. In that time he has
Grand Superintendent - Hampshire and IOW. proposed many candidates into
Chip off the New Block! the Lodge including this years
Master, Mike Greaves. Mike says
The meetings of the Else Lodge of Mark Master Masons he has had a fantastic year in the
are always happy occasions, but the last meeting on Chair of a great Lodge enjoying terrif c suport from the
Tuesday 16 January was very different. brethren. As a thank you to Mervyn for proposing him in
th
For his f rst Ceremony, Toby Hammond the new Master the f rst instance he presented him with a 25 year Mark
had a very special Advancee: no other than Hammond lapel badge at the Lodge meeting in December.

The Somerset Triangle is produced for the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of Somerset. Editor, Ray Guthrie, Kynance,
Timsbury Road, High Littleton, Bristol, BS39 6HL Tel 01761471275. email; raygu3@btopenworld.com