Benevolent Lodge 303, 60 year certificate presented to W.Bro Gerry Slaughter in immaculate fashion by W.Bro Derek Webber…
Benevolent Lodge 303, 60 year certificate presented to W.Bro Gerry Slaughter in immaculate fashion by W.Bro Derek Webber, his recital is shown below.
Worshipful Brother Gerald Barton Slaughter PAGDC, the Worshipful Master and brethren of Benevolent Lodge No 303 have given me the very great Honour, Privilege and indeed Pleasure in presenting to you our Provincial Grand Master’s certificate marking your having served 60 years as a freemason, firstly in London and now in this wonderful Province of Devonshire.
For you were initiated into Industry lodge No 186 at Freemasons Hall Great Queen Street London on the 27th of March 1962 by your father which must have been a wonderful occasion and one I am sure you will never forget, you were subsequently passed to the 2nd Degree or that of a fellow craft and then raised to the sublime degree of a master mason. You progressed through the offices of Industry lodge and were installed as the Worshipful Master in January 1972, becoming Worshipful Master again in January 2008.
You were born on the 27th of June 1937 growing up in London. During the Second World War you were evacuated to the South Hams here in Devon where you lived with two Aunts and three cousins. I think you had a great time here in the West Country, you attended many parties, some fancy dress. You remember going once dressed as a girl and you also remember the peaches and cream in syrup. You first met your future wife Daphne when she was three years old, and you caught up again when you were 20 and you and Daphne were married on the 12th of August 1961 at Saint Peters church West Norwood and you celebrated your diamond wedding on the 12th of August 2021 receiving a card of congratulations from her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Which must have been one of the last.
You worked for Dover elevation company and went to work for an American company in Memphis USA where lifting gear was being changed from water control to oil and you went on an induction course. You also met Elvis Presley at his home Gracelands.
In 1995 you were invited to become a freeman of the City of London. While living in London you have been chairman of a local neighbourhood watch, Deputy chairman of local Norwood residents Action Group and secretary of the Norwood surgery patience advisory committee. A very active life outside of Freemasonry.
Returning to your masonic life which after all is what this certificate is all about. It is very extensive so I will highlight some of your Masonic achievements. Not necessarily in order, you attended the Inauguration ceremonies of Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London and Metropolitan Grand chapter of London at the Royal Albert Hall On the 1st of October 2003. You were the principal co-ordinator for the bi-centenary Installation meeting of Industry lodge No 186 in 1988 with over 200 in attendance. The guest of honour was the M.W Pro Grand Master the Rt. Hon Earl Cadogan. You received London Grand Rank at the age of 44 one of the youngest to receive it. You joined the first VGO scheme for London and have been a visiting Grand officer both in London and Devonshire. In 1982 you exalted your blood Brother D E Slaughter into Industry chapter No 186. You were appointed to Grand rank firstly as PAGStdB and then promoted to PAGDC the very high rank you hold today. As a member of industry Chapter No 186 you received SLGR and then promoted to Supreme Grand Chapter Rank of PAGDC the very high chapter rank you hold today.
You have been the recorder of Devon Chapter Rose Croix No 275 retiring after 10 years plus service and now holding the rank of 31st degree. You are a Grand Officer in the Mark Degree and hold Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank. Brother Gerald there is an awful lot more I could say about your Masonic journey you are a member of most of the Masonic degrees including The Red Cross of Constantine holding a very high rank in each we are very lucky to have you living here in Devonshire. Indeed, your masonic activities could take up the whole evening.
Brother Gerald, 60 years is a long time and you will have seen many changes in the world this country and Indeed here in the West Country over that long period. You have lived through a World War, under three Monarch’s, 20 Prime Ministers some serving more than one term and three Provincial Grand Masters in this Province. The way in which Freemasonry operates has changed over the last 60 years and I suppose it must continue to change in order to attract and retain new members but the basic principles of Brotherly love, relief and truth remain principles you have upheld throughout your life. Sixty years and eight months ago on the 27th March 1962 you laid your foundation in the North East Part of Industry lodge number 186 at Freemason’s Hall Great Queen Street London and you have raised a superstructure perfect in its parts and honourable to you the builder Brother Jerry I congratulate you and hope that you continue to enjoy your masonry but more importantly that we may enjoy your company. Now on behalf of our Provincial Grand Master Right Worshipful Brother Ian Kingsbury, who sends to you his best wishes and warmest congratulations, I have much pleasure in presenting his certificate to you but I would first like to read the citation.
Many congratulations.
After the presentation all retired for an excellent festive board, ending once again another happy masonic evening.
Derek G Webber PSGD Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master.