W.Bro Kenneth Fredrick Walker P.Prov.J.G.W. receives his 60 years certificate of service as a Freemason…
Ken was born in Stoke Military Hospital on 14/01/1935. His father was in the Army Dental Corps. At the age of 3 the family went to Singapore, he managed to escape with his Mam in 1942 on the ‘Duchess of Bedford’, the last ship to leave. Unfortunately, his father was killed by the Japanese when defending the hospital the day after they left Singapore. On his return to England he lived with his grandparents until he was 15 years old.
Leaving school Ken went for an apprenticeship with Fox & Haggarty, there were 2 candidates but only one was required. Fortunately, the boss decided to employ both because they impressed him. Ken was new to Plymouth and did not know anybody, so the other candidate, being sociable, took Ken home for tea where he met his friend’s sisters one being Paula aged 11. Ken visited many times and when he got his motorbike he used to pick Paula up from school. Obviously love at first sight.
After what was a long courtship they got married at St Michael’s Church Stoke in 1959. Sadly unable to have children they eventually decided to adopt, which was a long drawn-out process in those days. First a beautiful baby girl named Tracy at 6 weeks old, she is now 55 and lives in Exeter. She has followed in the family tradition as she also fosters children. Tracy visits Ken weekly and helps him clean and do the shopping etc.
Two years later they adopted their son Scott at the age of 5 weeks, who is now 53 and lives in Devonport. He drives pop groups and stars around Europe in a bus from gig to gig.
When he was 21, on finishing his apprenticeship, he had a choice of joining the services or the Merchant Navy. He chose the Merchant Navy as the pay was better.
Ken first applied to become a Freemason in 1960 but because of his life at sea, wasn’t Initiated into The St Aubyn Lodge No 954 until 08/01/1963. He was proposed by a family friend, who was the DC, Ken remembers he was in a wheelchair and used to whizz around the lodge on it. The DC’s father was the builder who constructed this building.
After being Initiated, Ken who was still at sea requested work on coastal vessels to keep him at home. Later he joined the dockyard and eventually worked on the tugs.
Now settled Ken was able to pursue is Masonic journey and was passed on 12/03/1963 and Raised on 08/09/1964. He worked his way up the Masonic ladder proving himself to be an excellent ritualist, as he is to this day. He was Installed as Worshipful Master in 1977.
He was promoted to PPrGSuptWks in 1995 and PPrJGW in2004. Ken has always been an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of The St Aubyn Lodge and enjoyed going on a couple of excursions with other brethren particularly the Seychelles and Scotland.
Ken could always be relied upon to fill in an office at very short notice, as he had such a good memory. He has been a constant presence within the lodge, being supportive to all brethren.
He joined St Aubyn Mark No 64 in 1969 and was Worshipful Master in 1979. He was an active P.G.S.D and finally a PPrGJW. He celebrated 50 years in the Mark in2019.
Ken is an example to us all having faithfully served his mother lodge for 60 years. A wonderful achievement.