Spectacle of Colour: Freemasons Commemorate VE Day’s 80th Anniversary at Exeter Cathedral

Freemasons from across the South-West came together in a historic and visually striking event at Exeter Cathedral on Thursday, 8th May, to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe. This significant gathering brought together around 500 Freemasons from Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset, joined by national heads of Freemasonry, for a special Evensong hosted by the Dean of Exeter Cathedral, Very Reverend Jonathan Greener.

This was the first public parade in almost a decade of Freemasons wearing their traditional regalia, with the added distinction of Royal Arch Masons appearing publicly in their striking Red, White, and Blue regalia for the first time ever in the South-West. The pageantry featured a vivid display of 80 lodge banners to mark the 80 years since VE Day.

The lodge banners processed into the Cathedral, followed by the standards for the 3 counties of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset alongside the heads of freemasonry for each of the counties. They were also joined by the Assistant Grand Master for the United Grand Lodge of England, and also by the Third Grand Principal for Royal Arch Masons.

This memorable event honoured the solemn sacrifice of those brethren who gave their lives during the Second World War. During the service, the names of Freemasons who died during the war were read out by the Provincial Grand Masters of Devonshire, Cornwall and Somerset. The service also featured poignant moments, including the Last Post and Reveille, a Piper’s Lament, and the traditional extract from the poem For the Fallen. 

During the service the choir sang I Was Glad by Sir Hubert Parry, the anthem Let All the World by Vaughan Williams, and Psalm 23 The Lord Is My Shepherd. The congregation joined them with rousing versions of Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven, Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer, and Christ is Made The Sure Foundation, ending the service with 2 verses of the National Anthem. 

Also in attendance for the service were the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, David Fursdon. As well as the Countess of Arran. Lady Arran been a strong supporter of Freemasonry locally as her grandfather, Earl Fortescue, was one of the Provincial Grand Masters of Devonshire. 

Nicholas Ball, head of Freemasonry in Devon, said: “Today we remember and give thanks for those who, 80 years ago, preserved our freedoms and brought about peace. We have called the names of our fallen Brethren, they were but a few of a much larger loss of men and women, to whom we are all eternally grateful. The freedoms our fallen Brethren died for allow us all to continue to honour our core principles of Respect, Friendship, Integrity and Service to others.”