Tuesday 23 April was not only St George’s Day, but also a night to remember for St Luke’s Lodge when VW Bro Ray Guthrie, Past Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Somerset, attended the Meeting to present W. Bro Gerald Bryant with a 60 years in Freemasonry Certificate.
In making this presentation VW Bro Guthrie gave a brief history of Gerald’s childhood, upbringing, military service as a soldier in the Airborne Division during World War 2, and professional career in the Civil Service, Ministry of Defence including 4 years overseas in Malta. His many Craft Masonic achievements included being Initiated into St Luke’s Lodge No. 6540 on 17 October 1958, progressing to become its 28th Worshipful Master in 1975, and a major role in arranging the transfer of Royal Naval Lodge No. 2761 from Malta to Yeovil in the 1980’s as well as being their WM in 1962 & 1984. Gerald spent a year as active Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1989 during which time he was one of the Consecrating team when the Yatton Lodge of Hospitality No. 9299 was formed; he was promoted to Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 1993.
Gerald, who as Senior Past Master is the the longest serving member both within St Luke’s Lodge and Royal Naval Lodge, maintains an active interest in all aspects of Lodge life, noted the many changes that had taken place in Masonry during his 60 years of Craft membership. Gerald expressed the enjoyment that he had received from his membership of St Luke’s Lodge and Royal Naval Lodge and thanked all those Brethren who had helped and supported him over the years.
This memorable occasion was completed by acclamation for Gerald, a highly respected member of St Luke’s Lodge, Royal Naval Lodge and within Somerset Masonry, from all present. It included Brethren from Royal Naval Lodge who had travelled to Bath especially for the presentation and Gerald thanked them particularly for their support, as well as several other Masonic friends who were able to join him for the evening.
