The Royal Marines will celebrate its 360 Birthday on 28th October, and Bro Ian Schofield proposed at the General Purpose meeting that the Per Mare Per Terram Lodge, who meet in Exmouth very close to the Royal Marine Barracks in Lympstone, should hold a special Festive Board to commemorate the anniversary after their October meeting as they are so closely affiliated with the RM.
Naturally Ian was volunteered to organise the event, ably assisted by W.Bro Ian Holloway, the Dining Steward. It was decided to make it a White Table event so non-Freemasons, mostly former Royal Marines could be invited.
After a short business meeting on 10th October, 48 Freemasons and their guests gathered in the dining room for the festivities. W.Bro Brookbank had managed to engage the services of the Fire Brigade Corps of Drums and they gave us an outstanding display of the very old tradition of Mess Beatings, which set the tone for the evening.
An explanation of another tradition, the Table of Remembrance, was given by Bro Schofield. It is a poignant reminder of those we have lost.
After Grace, the Junior Deacon, Lenny Leonard was summoned, dressed in a period uniform, he gave a rendition of the Convening Order for the formation of the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot – the beginnings of the Royal Marines.
Between courses, some of the Battle Honours Citations earned by the Royal Marines were read out. The Corps has so many that the Cap Badge has the Globe at its centre, awarded because they had fought on every continent. The citation for the Capture of Gibraltar in 1704, the Recapture of the Falkland Islands in 1982 and the Battle of Al FAW, Iraq, in 2003 were chosen to be read out. There were members present who had taken part in the last two mentioned.
After a superb meal, prepared by Dawn, the Exmouth lodge caterer, the cheese and biscuits along with port were served. After Grace, the cake was cut and served with more port to keep everyone happy. Bro John McMillan from the Lodge of Harmony made the superb cake and even the drums and Corps flag were edible.
The King and the Royal Marines were given the relevant toasts followed by the Worshipful Master giving an excellent speech on the close affiliation of Freemasonry and the military. Formal proceedings were ended by W.Bro Paul Rhodes reciting the Royal Marines Prayer. The bar remained open for the festivities to continue in a more relaxed mode!
This is the first time that Per Mare Per Terram Lodge has celebrated the Corps Birthday in this manner. Thanks must be given to Bro Ian Schofield, W.Bro Ian Holloway, W.Bro Chris Brookbank for their hard work in making this an occasion that was both unique and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. We will do it again!
Keith Rigby – PPrGSupWks