Provincial Grand Masters

Brethren who have served as Provincial Grand Master, Province of the Southern Counties of England

Bro Herbert William Hodges, Provincial Grand Master 1915 - 1924

During the latter years of the 19th Century and early years of the 20th Century, the only Province that duly qualified Brethren in the South of England could be ‘Advanced and Promoted’ into was the Province of London and the Metropolitan Counties. This Province was ‘Erected’ on 4th April 1872 and the qualification for Advancement and Promotion was that candidates, in addition to being Master Masons in a Lodge dedicated to St John Masonry must have five years standing in the Lodge and be a member of the Ancient and Accepted Rite having attained the 30th Degree. After due and careful consideration by many experienced Freemasons, it was agreed that a new Province should be ‘Erected’ where the qualification for Membership was that of the London and the Metropolitan Counties with the exception that the Ancient & Accepted Rite qualification be amended to 18th Degree. It was also further agreed that such duly qualified Brethren must be active members of their Chapter in the Ancient and Accepted Rite and progressing towards the Sovereigns Chair.

Under the leadership of Brother Herbert William Hodges, several Brethren of the Royal Order who were well skilled in the mysteries of the Brotherhood petitioned Grand Lodge for a new Province in the South of England. This resulted in Grand Lodge granting a warrant on 3rd February 1915. The Province was to be called The Province of the Southern Counties of England and the boundaries coincided with the county boundaries, at that time, of Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Dorset, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, and Wiltshire.

The Erection of the Province was undertaken by the Right Worshipful Deputy Governor, Brother Christopher Charles Nisbet of Stobshiel, WS* assisted by Officers of Grand Lodge Grand at the Guildhall in Windsor on Saturday, May 8th, 1915.  The Ceremony of Erection having been undertaken the Grand Marischal proclaimed ‘The Provincial Grand Lodge of the Southern Counties of England’. Brother Herbert William Hodges, Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master designate, presented his patent of Appointment to the Right Worshipful Deputy Governor; which was then read by the Grand Secretary, Bro Brother John A Forrest, who was also acting as Grand Marischal. Bro Hodges was obligated, invested with the Jewel of his office, and installed as Provincial Grand Master by the Deputy Governor. Bro Hodges was proclaimed by the acting Grand Marischal in the East, South, and West. The Brethren were called to order and saluted Bro Hodges. Thereafter the nominated Officers took their obligations and were invested.

The Brethren subsequently adjourned to the Council Chamber for refreshment.

The Guildhall, Windsor, is renowned for its elegance and architectural magnificence. It was completed under the auspices of Sir Christopher Wren and has Royal patronage that goes back to at least 1689. The Guildhall provides a magnificent and truly unique backdrop for any event or occasion.  Currently, the large and bright Council Chamber is adorned with Royal portraits spanning a period of 500 years, many of which were gifted by the sovereign of the day.  It is illuminated by two great chandeliers – on loan to from HM The Queen – and adorned with the gilt Royal Crest of Queen Anne I. The Council Chamber is in much use for Wedding Ceremonies, Dining Events, or as the backdrop for Charity Fundraising.

There is precious little recorded about Bro Hodges, but we do know that he presided over the Province for a total of 9 years. We also know that during this period Bro Hodges was resident at The Briars, West Hill Road, East Putney, London. The properties on this road have survived the ravages of time. Whilst it is not possible to accurately identify the property that was then known as The Briars it is of interest to note that the current value of these properties is slightly over £2 million, whilst some have been converted into flats which cost in excess of £500,000 each.

* WS – The Society of Writers to Her Majesty’s Signet is a private society of Scottish solicitors, dating back to 1594 and part of the College of Justice. Writers to the Signet originally had special privileges in relation to the drawing up of documents which required to be signeted, but these have since disappeared and the Society is now an independent, non-regulatory association of solicitors. The Society maintains the Category A listed Signet Library, part of the Parliament House complex in Edinburgh, and members of the Society are entitled to the post-nominal letters WS.

Bro Harry Hughes, Provincial Grand Master 1924 – 1929

The first Provincial Grand Master of the Province, Brother Herbert William Hodges, having stated that it was his intention to stand down, had his resignation accepted with regret by the Province in February 1923. Bro Harry Hughes, who was elected Treasurer of the Province at the time of its erection, duly acted as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Province until the meeting of 5th April 1924, when the Provincial Grand Secretary read his Patent of Appointment as Provincial Grand Master to the Brethren.

It is of interest to note that all ‘gatherings’ of the Province up to this date were referred to as ‘Convocations’ and thereafter they were called ‘Meetings’. With effect from October 1925, dining was moved to The Grand Hotel at Charing Cross. Records show that ‘Private motors’ were provided to make the transfer. The dress code for the meetings was also altered from Court Dress to Morning Dress or Uniform.
 
Court dress is a form of clothing deriving from fashionable eighteenth-century wear, which was directed to be worn at court by those not entitled to a court uniform. For men, it comprises a matching tailcoat and waistcoat, breeches and stockings, lace cuffs and cravat, cocked hat, and a sword. It is still worn today as part of the formal dress of Judges and Queen's Counsel and is also worn by certain Lord Mayors, parliamentary officials, and high sheriffs of counties. The ‘Convocation meetings’ of the Province were clearly of much splendour with members wearing Court Dress and the regalia of the Order.

The Grand Hotel at Charing Cross was designed in the ‘Italianate’ style and built in 1879. This large and imposing building was on the corner of Northumberland Avenue, Trafalgar Square.  It was, even by the standards of today, very luxurious with fine food. It lasted until 1986 when it was replaced. Bro Hughes was no stranger to luxury. He was resident in Bedford Square, Bloomsbury, London during his tenure in Office. The current values of property in the Square are in the region of £10 million.  

Bro Hughes was only Provincial Grand Master for a period of 5 years, but during his term of Office the Province continued to grow and flourish, and the original footings of the Province were strengthened.

Bro Langford Horace MacKelcken, Provincial Grand Master 1929 - 1934

At the Provincial meeting held on 6th October 1928 Brother Harry Hughes, R W Provincial Grand Master announced his intention to retire. He informed the Province that it was his intention not to invoke his prerogative of nominating a successor and would abide by the wish of the Brethren. At the Provincial meeting, held on 6th April 1929, it was proposed, seconded and duly adopted that Bro Langford Horace MacKelcken, Deputy Provincial Grand Master, be recommended to Grand Lodge for the office of Provincial Grand Master. This was accepted by Grand Lodge and at the regular meeting of the Province held on 6th July 1929 Bro MacKelcken was installed as the third Provincial Grand Master of the Province of the Southern Counties of England. The ceremony of Installation was conducted by Brother Harry Hughes, R W Past Provincial Grand Master. This was not an unusual occasion and was considered normal in those days; particularly where distance, availability, and costs were all of the equal consideration. It must have been a very emotional day for both Bro Hughes and Bro MacKelcken.

 
Under the wise leadership of Bro MacKelcken, the Province continued to grow and flourish. Certainly, by December 1931 the membership totalled 62.

In February 1931 the Province were dining at The Adelphi Theatre and Restaurant, 409 – 410 The Strand, where it continued for a short while before moving to  Jules Restaurant, Jermyn Street, S.W.1. This was probably what would eventually be known as Jules Bar, 35 Jermyn Street, and was famed for its Italian cooking.
 
On 18th June 1932, Bro MacKelcken and the Province were honoured by the presence of Bro Alexander Arthur Fraser, The Master of Saltoun, the Deputy Governor.  The Brethren unanimously afforded him Honorary Membership of the Province.

The installation of H R H Edward, Prince of Wales, and Duke of Rothesay, (the future King Edward VIII) in 1934 as Deputy Grand Master and Governor had an effect on the Order. His Installation resulted in the then Deputy Grand Master and Governor, Bro Edward James Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin and 14th Earl of Kincardine, KT, CMG, LL, LLD, JP, standing down and then appointed and installed as Deputy Governor. In turn the then Deputy Governor Bro Alexander Arthur Fraser, The Master of Saltoun, the Deputy Governor, stood aside to facilitate the appointment of Lord Elgin.
 
Bro MacKelcken, who resided in Lyford Road, Earlsfield, London (close to Wandsworth Common in a very desirable residential area) was not to be overlooked by his Brethren.  For his services to the Province on 22nd June 1935, he was afforded Honorary Membership. A celebratory dinner had been held at the Etonian Country Club in Windsor, at the kind invitation of the 7th Earl of Courtown, on 19th June 1935. It is worthy of note that the 7th Earl of Courtown was the Grand Supreme Ruler of the Order of the Secret Monitor from 1936 to 1957.

Bro 20th Lord Saltoun, M.C., JP, Provincial Grand Master from 1934 – 1949

Alexander Arthur Fraser, 20th Lord Saltoun, MC JP DL (8th March 1886 – 31st  August 1979), styled Master of Saltoun until 1933, was a Scottish peer who was one of the longest-serving representative peers, serving from 1935–63. He was the eldest son of Alexander William Frederick Fraser, 19th Lord Saltoun, and Mary Helena Grattan-Bellew, sister of Sir Henry Christopher Grattan-Bellew, 3rd Baronet.

Bro Lord Saltoun’s father, Bro Alexander William Frederick Fraser, 19th Lord Saltoun, CMG, had previously visited the Province on 18th June 1932 in his capacity as Deputy Governor. During the course of the visit, he requested that he be personally affiliated with the Province. The Brethren of the Province, with acclamation, approved his Affiliation. Bro Alexander William Frederick Fraser, 19th Lord Saltoun was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland from 1897 to 1900. He sadly died on 19th June 1933, aged 82 years, and was unable to bear witness to the installation of his son as Provincial Grand Master.
 
Bro 20th Lord Saltoun was installed as Provincial Grand Master on 16th June 1934 by the Deputy Grand Master and Governor, Bro Rt Hon Edward James Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin, 14th Earl of Kincardine, KT, CMG, TD, CD.
Bro 20th Lord Saltoun was educated at Eton College and New College, Oxford. He was a Captain and Hon. Major in the Gordon Highlanders in the Great War, when he was taken prisoner of war

On 8th June 1920, he married Dorothy Geraldine Welby and they had two children. He died at Cross Deep, his home in Twickenham, aged 93. 

Bro Frederick William Wallace, MA, Provincial Grand Master 1949 - 1959

After serving the Province with distinction from 1934 to 1949 Bro Lord Saltoun retired from Office in 1949. During the period of his Stewardship, every regular meeting of the Province was held, despite the vicissitudes of the Second World War. This followed in the footsteps of our first Provincial Grand Master, Bro Herbert W Hodges, who had presided over every meeting of the Province during both the Great War and the Spanish Flu epidemic (February 1918 until April 1920) which plagued the world. Meetings of the Province during the Second World War were moved from the Guildhall, Windsor and were held at Mark Masons’ Hall, 71, Kingsway, London and also at the Supreme Council for the Ancient and Accepted Rite at 10 Duke Street, St James’s, London.

It was at the June 1941 meeting that Bro Lord Saltoun appointed Bro Frederick W Wallace as Provincial Grand Secretary, an Office he held until his installation as Provincial Grand Master in 1949. At the Midsummer Meeting’ of 1945, the ‘Toast of the Immortal Memory’ was first delivered during the after proceedings. Bro Frederick W Wallace undertook the role of Provincial Junior Grand Warden. This Toast has now become a ‘Tradition’ of the Southern Counties.

By 11th June 1949, the Southern Counties were back at the Guildhall, Windsor. At this meeting, Lord Saltoun installed Bro Frederick W Wallace as Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. Our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro Frederick W Wallace, led the Province through the halcyon days of Freemasonry following the Second World War. By 1950 membership stood at 69.
 
At the February meeting of 1950, our Provincial Grand Master thanked Bro Sir Henry McMahon, the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of London and the Metropolitan Counties, for the courtesies and hospitality that had been shown to the Province by allowing our meetings to take place at 10 Duke Street, during the very difficult and trying times of the German Blitz. There was clearly a great deal of mutual respect and affection between the Provinces. At the June meeting of that year a full list of Members, together with addresses, was shown on the summons for the first time. 

Bro Wallace was re-appointed as Provincial Grand Master by Grand Lodge and on 3rd July 1954 was re-installed by the Deputy Grand Master and Governor, Bro Edward James Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin and 14th Earl of Kincardine, KT, CMG, LL, LLD, JP. During his response to the Deputy Grand Master and Governor immediately after his installation Bro Wallace made reference to the number of years that the Deputy Grand Master and Governor had served in Office, it being the longest that any Deputy Grand Master and Governor had served up to that time, having been appointed in 1936. The Deputy Master and Governor was to continue to serve the Order in this capacity until 1966. Alas Bro Watson had forgotten that the then Bro Lord Elgin had also served as Deputy Master and Governor from 1925 to 1934. To the delight of all, and for good measure, the Officers of the year were invested by the Deputy Grand Master and Governor.

Bro Wallace had a very special and pleasing duty to perform at the meeting held on 9th October 1957. After 37 years as Provincial Deputy Grand Guarder of the Province, Brother Charles Mulford was conducted into the Lodge and then presented to Bro Wallace. Our Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master thanked Bro Mulford for his loyal and meritorious service and wished him, on behalf of all the members, a long and happy retirement. To the surprise and delight of Bro Mulford he was then informed that he had been afforded Honorary Membership of the Province, and was then presented with a cheque in gratitude. Bro Mulford had not been ‘Promoted’ to a Knight of the Rosy Cross, but this was rectified at the next meeting of the Province. 

After 10 years in office Brother Frederick Wallace announced his retirement and would be succeeded by Brother Erskine Simes, Q.C.

Bro Charles Erskine Woollard Simes QC, JP, MA (Oxon), Provincial Grand Master 1959 – 1974

On 22nd October 1949 Bro Charles Erskine Woollard Simes was Promoted and Advanced into the Order, at the hundredth meeting of the Province in the Masonic Temple, Windsor. He gave his address as 3 Temple Gardens, EC4, which were his Chambers.  He was at this time Kings Counsel and an Assistant Grand Registrar at the United Grand Lodge of England. With the passing of King George VI on 6th February 1952, he became Queens Counsel. 

Eventually, Bro Simes became to be known as Erskine Simes. One can only suppose that since his boyhood days he was referred to as Erskine and it was his preference. With the retirement of Brother Frederick Wallace as Provincial Grand Master Grand Lodge appointed Bro Charles Erskine Woollard Simes (Erskine Simes) as his successor.

On 27th June 1959 the Deputy Grand Master and Governor, Bro Edward James Bruce, 10th Earl of Elgin and 14th Earl of Kincardine, KT, CMG, LL, LLD, JP travelled to Mark Mason’s Hall, 40 Upper Brook Street, London and installed Bro Simes as Provincial Grand Master. The reason for holding the meeting in Upper Brook Street, Mayfair are not known but after the installation of Bro Simes, the Province returned to meeting at the Guildhall, Windsor. Over the next five years, the stewardship of Bro Simes ensured the Province continued to grow and flourish.

On 20th June 1964, a delegation from Grand Lodge attended 10 Duke Street, St James's, London (the home of The Supreme Council of the Ancient & Accepted Rite) for the purposes of re-installing Bro Simes as Provincial Grand Master. The Installing Officer was Bro Major Richard Henry Fitzherbert Moncrieff, TD, CA, Past Deputy Governor. He was assisted by Brother H V De Lorey, Junior Grand Warden and acting Grand Marischal and Brother Dr Alexander F Buchan, MBE, BSc, FRSE, Grand Secretary. The Brethren afterwards lunched together at Kettner’s Restaurant, 29 Romilly St, London. (The restaurant was founded in 1867 by Auguste Kettner, the private chef of Emperor Napoleon III, Bonaparte's nephew. It is famed for excellent food, wines and service). It was not known why the Province did not meet at The Guildhall at Windsor.

After the installation of Bro Simes, the Province reverted to meeting at the Guildhall, Windsor.  The minutes for this period indicate that Annual Subscriptions were raised from five to six Guineas in 1958, then to seven Guineas in 1963 and in 1965 to nine Guineas. The minutes delicately make reference to ‘the increasing costs.

On 15th February 1969, the Brethren unanimously proposed the recommendation of Bro Simes to continue in Office for a further period of five years which met with the full approval and approbation of Grand Lodge.

In 1969 as a result of necessary and extensive work being carried out at the Masonic Temple in The Guildhall, an appeal was received for donations from all units using the facilities. The Province made a generous donation of Twenty Guineas.  The work being carried out in the Temple resulted in the June meeting of 1969 being moved to the Masonic Temple in Windsor.  The October meeting was re-scheduled to 15th November where back at the ‘The Guildhall’ Bro Simes was re-installed as Provincial Grand Master. On this occasion, the Installing Officer was Bro Harry Victor de Lorey, Substitute Governor. He was assisted by Brother Dr Alexander F Buchan, MBE, BSc, FRSE, Grand Secretary, and Brother Robert Murray, Grand Introductor and Examiner acting as Grand Marischal.
 
During the next five years, the Province continued to make steady progress. After 15 years, in 1974, Bro Simes stood down as Provincial Grand Master. His resignation was received with sadness by the Brethren, but with gratitude for the manner in which he had led the Province. On 19th October 1974 Brother Brig Geoffrey Lewis Galloway, D.S.O., O.B.E., G.M,  was installed as Provincial Grand Master at The Guildhall in Windsor by the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master and Governor, Brother Andrew Douglas Bruce, KT, CD, LLD, the 11th Earl of Elgin and 15th Earl of Kincardine, assisted by Officers of Grand Lodge.

Bro Simes was a very hard worked Freemason. He was the Assistant Grand Registrar at United Grand Lodge from 1947 – 1950; he was promoted to Deputy Grand Registrar in 1951 until being promoted to Grand Registrar in 1959. He retired from Office in 1968. He held equivalent Offices in Supreme Grand Chapter. He was a member of the Supreme Council, 33rd Degree of the Ancient & Accepted Rite, being appointed, in 1967, Lieutenant Grand Commander, until his death in 1978. 

Bro Dr William Liddell Milligan, MD, BSc, MPCPych, Provincial Grand Master 1984 - 1989

At the Slough Masonic Centre on 16th June 1984 Brother Dr Eric Smith, OstJ, DMus, F.R.C.O, Right Worshipful Substitute Governor of the Order, assisted by Officers of Grand Lodge, installed Brother Dr William Liddell Milligan, MD, BSc, MPCPych as Provincial Grand Master of the Province.

Prior to the installation of Bro Milligan the Province Advanced and Promoted four duly qualified Candidates into the Order to the delight of the Substitute Governor. The Provincial Grand Constable of the Tower was Bro Graham F Redman, who later became both Provincial Grand Master of the Province and of the Province of Middlesex.
 
Over the next 5 years Brother Milligan presided over a very happy Province and numerous Brethren were Advanced and Promoted into the Order.
 
During the 1980s the General Synod of the Church of England chose to examine the nature of Freemasonry in relation to the Christian faith. Other detractors also were to allege that Masonic Ceremonies were blasphemous and that the wording of Ritual was a charade. During this period Bro Milligan was to distinguish himself with his leadership qualities. He stressed to the Brethren that in our truly Christian Order, we believe in what we say and must act accordingly. 

He also reminded the membership of the necessity at all times to maintain the highest moral and religious standards. His comments were greatly appreciated and ensured that the love, harmony, respect and understanding remained and continued to flourish between our Christian Order of Freemasonry in the Province and Christians.
 
The Patent of Appointment of Brother Milligan expired on 31st January 1989 and he did not seek re-appointment. Brother Jack Lodewyk Charles was subsequently appointed by Grand Lodge to succeed Bro Milligan.

Bro William Milligan was a distinguished Freemason. He was, in addition to being our Provincial Grand Master, a Past Senior Grand Deacon in the Craft; Grand Superintendant in and over the Royal Arch Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight; Past Grand Masters Banner Bearer in the Knights Templar (he was a member of this Order for over 50 years); and 32nd Degree in the Ancient and Accepted Rite. His service to Freemasonry was considerable.

Bro Jack Lodewyk Charles Dribbell, BA, FCIS, CStJ, Provincial Grand Master 1989 - 1999

Following the retirement of Bro Brig Geoffrey Lewis Galloway, DSO, OBE, GM, appointed Bro Jack Lodewyk Charles Dribbell, BA, FCIS, CStJ, as Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master. 

On 17th June 1989 in the Masonic Temple, Slough Brother Dribbell was installed as Provincial Grand Master by Bro Andrew Douglas Bruce, 11th Earl of Elgin and 15th Earl of Kincardine, KT, CD, LLD, the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master and Governor. He was assisted by Brother E Stuart Falconer KStJ, JP, MA, F.S.A.(Scot), Grand Secretary and Brother R S Tait, Grand Introductor and Examiner acting as Grand Marischal. 

By this time the Province was no longer meeting at The Guildhall, Windsor and had moved to the Masonic Temple at Slough, Berkshire, for the June and February meetings and to Chandlers Ford Masonic Temple, Hampshire, for the October meeting. This arrangement was proving a problem in logistics with the movement of Furniture, Regalia, and Equipment between the two centres. At the October meeting of 1989 the Brethren resolved that all meetings were to be held at Slough.
 
Bro Dribbell informed the membership, at the meeting of the Province held on 15th June 1991, that Grand Lodge had submitted plans for the development of Canongate, Edinburgh.  Then at the meeting in October 1992 he announced that Grand Lodge had completed the purchase of the ancient Lodge Building at Canongate and had launched an appeal for a contribution of £50 per member; for the refurbishment of the building. The Province donated the sum of £3000 to Grand Lodge.
 
At the meeting held on 15th June 1991Bro Dr the Rev Michael Morgan had also proposed a Memorial Fund should be established in the name of Bro Brig Geoffrey Lewis Galloway. The proposal was warmly accepted by all.
 
On the 19th February 1994, Brother Jack Dribbell was re-installed as Provincial Grand Master (for a further period of 5 years) by Bro Lord Elgin the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master and Governor. Bro Elgin was assisted by Brother E Stuart Falconer KStJ, JP, MA, FSA (Scot), Grand Secretary and Brother Alex S. Chambers, Grand Marischal. During the course of the meeting, Bro Dribbell announced that the Galloway Memorial Fund had raised £1,314. The Deputy Grand Master and Governor, having been informed of the Fund, was considering a proposal that either the Province purchased a Square, Level and Plumb rule in Silver for use at Grand Lodge or a Crown to replace the Stuart Crown in Grand Lodge. After due consideration, it was announced, at the meeting in June 1994, that Grand Lodge had, with gratitude, accept the presentation of silver hallmarked set of Working Tools for the use of the Senior Grand Warden (specifically as set out in Section VII).  In addition, they would accept a new King’s Crown modelled on the version used in Grand Lodge in solid silver and plated with the gold of 15-micron thickness.

All the work was to be undertaken by Brother Ken Fergusson of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Middlesex who, being present, was thanked by Bro Dribbell. The Brethren marked their approval with long and sustained applause. The Working Tools were to be contained in a presentation box with a plate affixed stating;
 
Presented to Grand Lodge of Royal Order of Scotland in grateful memory of Brigadier G L Galloway, D.S.O., O.B.E., G.M “Gallantry/Relief” PGM of the Southern Counties of England 1974 -1984

The June 1994 meeting was also the occasion of the 50th recital of the Toast to the Immortal Memory given at our after proceedings.
 
The Provincial meeting held on 15th October 1994 resolved a matter that had been extant for over 50 years. Bro Dribbell advised the Brethren that the records of the Province show that at its Erection on 7th May 1915 a Charter or Warrant had been entrusted to Bro Herbert William Hodges, Provincial Grand Master. Such a Charter was to be on display at every meeting of the Province. It was the specific duty of Bro Hodges to safely keep the Warrant and pass it to his successor. In due course the Charter was passed to Bro Harry Hughes, then to Bro Langford Horace MacKelcken and eventually to Bro Rt Hon Lord Saltoun, Past Deputy Governor, MC, JP at his installation as Provincial Grand Master on 16th June 1934. Since this time the whereabouts of the Charter became unknown. The upheaval and devastation caused by the Second World War, and of course having to meet in various locations in London, were probably the cause of the loss. Certainly, the Charter was not handed over to Bro Frederick William Wallace at his installation in 1949. The Province had been meeting under the Patent of each Provincial Grand Master ever since. Bro Dribble reported that at a recent Meeting of Grand Lodge in Edinburgh, the Province’s gifts of Working Tools and a new Crown had been accepted. In return, the Deputy Grand Master and Governor had given the Province a replacement Charter, and in addition, Grand Lodge also gave the replaced Crown to the Province for our use. A very satisfactory conclusion to an outstanding matter

During the Provincial meeting of June 1996, Bro Dribbell advised the Brethren that he intended to accept the design of a new Banner for the Province which had been prepared by Bro Irwin. The design, with a small amendment, was accepted By Grand Lodge. At the June meeting of 1997 Bro Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor, Bart, Substitute Governor, was present and dedicated the new Banner of the Province to the delight of all present. It was then placed in its rightful place in the West. During the ceremony Brother Rev Dr Michael Morgan gave an enlightening Oration of a Banner covering uses from Ancient Times to the present and explained that they were symbols of dignity and rallying points. Brother Jock Irwin, who had designed the Banner, had the privilege to enter the Temple with the furled Banner escorted by the Provincial Grand Marischal. Before Closing the Lodge, Bro Dribbell presented the Right Worshipful Substitute Governor with a crystal glass Goblet bearing the Arms of the Clan of MacGregor as a memento of his visit. 

Bro Dribbell informed the Brethren at the meeting held in October 1997 that his Patent was due to expire on 31st January 1999, and as he would have served in Office for 10 years he would be retiring as Provincial Grand Master. He was, in due course be succeeded by Bro Donald Hand. The Province grew and flourished under the wise rule of Bro Dribbell. Such was the popularity of the Province that the numbers attending the meetings exceeded the seating. Brethren were content just to stand and watch. During his term in Office the Province made substantial donations to Grand Lodge, a new Banner was dedicated and many administrative matters were resolved.

In other Orders of Freemasonry, Bro Dribbell was equally diligent and hard working. He was a Grand Officer in both the Craft and Holy Royal Arch. In the Knights Templar he was a Knight Grand Cross of the United Orders; 32nd Degree in the Ancient and Accepted Rite; a Knight Commander of the Holy City in the Knights Beneficent of the Holy City; The holder of a Certificate of Merit and a Past Grand VII Pillar in the Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests. He was also a Grand Officer in the Mark; The Antient and Honourable Fraternity of Royal Ark Mariners; Red Cross of Constantine and the Royal and Select Masters. 

Bro Donald Howard Hector Hand, Provincial Grand Master 1999 - 2004

Bro Donald Hector Hand was born in Christchurch, Hampshire, on 31st August 1928, the son of Cecil and Christina Hand, and died on 3rd August 2017, just short of his 89th birthday. After a grammar school education, he served in the Royal Air Force, undertaking his National Service from 1946 to 1948 as a medical orderly. On the completion of his National Service, he entered University and obtained a BSc degree. This enabled him to start a career in teaching and he eventually became Deputy Headmaster of a school in Cullompton, Devon. However, he made a career change, left teaching, and returned to Christchurch to work in the Sales Department of an engineering company in Bournemouth. Here he remained until he retired in 1993. 

In 1949 he was initiated into Vortigern Lodge, No 4854, in the Province of Hampshire and Isle of Wight. Being only 20 years of age the initiation was by dispensation.
 
Bro Don was always interested in motorsports and participated in motoring rallies. In the early 1950’s he, and a friend, rode by motorcycle from Southampton, through Europe, to Gibraltar, and then by ferry to Africa and on to Morocco; a considerable journey back in the 1950s. In the meantime, his masonic career flourished and after passing through all the offices he was installed as Master of Vortigern Lodge in 1961. Bro Don had, by this time, joined other Orders of Freemasonry of which the Royal Order of Scotland was one. He progressed through the various Offices of the Province and became Provincial Grand Master in 1999. An Office he filled with distinction until he retired in 2004. Bro Don had a very strong affinity to our Order, his mother having been born on one of the Scottish Islands.
 
He was a Grand Officer in the Craft, Holy Royal Arch, a Great Officer in the Knights Templar, and 32nd degree in the Ancient and Accepted Rite.