101 Not Out     W.Bro. E.A. Johnson. PGJD.    (PAGDC Craft)
The Life and Times of a Mark Master Mason
 
Known to everyone as Tony he is a man of outstanding qualities who has been a Mark Mason for over half a lifetime. I thought it would be a worthy story to tell of just one of our incredible Mark Masons.
Always has a smile for everyone
Tony was born 0n the 13th Oct 1919 at Perrin Lane, Monton, Manchester, he attended St Marks from 5 to 11 years old and then it was on to Eccles Grammar from 11 to 16 years old. His father was a member of Royal Protector Craft Lodge who unfortunately died in 1929 from a Great War (14/18) related illness caused from when he was a POW.
 
Tony started work straight from school at 16 for Universal Furniture Products in Trafford Park which was at the time the largest Industrial Estate in Europe, from there he went on to Gardner Diesel Engines in the costings office and early in 1937 moved on again this time to W Fearnley and Sons at Barton in the general office, who were at the time amongst other things building magazine cases for storing shells in.
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag
He was called up for service in February 1940 to the Prince of Wales Volunteers, South Lancs Regiment and moved around the country doing basic training until being transferred finally to the Green Howards, Prince Alexanders Own Yorkshire Regiment.
 
He sailed from Gourock on the Clyde in the Queen Mary with 13,999 other infantrymen to Tewic on the Red Sea then on to Ismailia, the infantry base in the Middle East. After acclimatisation he moved up to Alamein to join the 50th Division which was anchored in the South on the Qattara Depression, he said it was just miles and miles of nothing but soft sand.
When the push-started Tony was halfway to Tripoli when he contracted Yellow Fever and had to be taken back to the 42nd General Hospital in Alexandria. When finally discharged as fit he returned to Ismailia where he was promoted to Sgt, transferred to the Durham Light Infantry and placed with the 32nd Beach Group which was to be a Specialist Invasion Unit. Training was carried out in Persia, Palestine and Syria before being sent to Tunis in North Africa and finally to Malta where the group was attached to the American 5th Army. Phew what a life so far!
 
He took part in the invasion of Italy at Salerno and later Anzio, then it was back to Egypt before sailing homewards, finally landing in Scotland. Tony was moved down South in preparation for the invasion of France and was one of the first to land on Gold Beach, 6th June 1944. His service years ended with him still as a Sgt at 35 Transit Camp in Calais, before making his way to Redcar where he was de-mobbed in 1946 complete with a very smart striped demob suit, (not).
50 Years a Mark Mason
He returned to Fearnley and Sons in May 1946 and also re-joined Eccles Swimming Club where he was a keen water polo player, he represented them in various leagues for several happy years before taking over the role of Secretary.
 
Meanwhile during this time, a certain Myra Parkinson had started working in the office at Fearnley’s which brightened things up considerably for Tony, they started courting for 2 or 3 years but his swimming commitments and now night school as well severely curtailed their meetings! True love can overcome, and they were married in 1952.  Tony still attended night school for another 4/5 years before at last being qualified as a Quantity Surveyor, his effort and determination brought him success, he became Chief QS and then Chief Estimator a post he held for the next 15 years. In 1958 he was appointed a Main Board Director and later Director of four subsidiary companies covering housing, merchanting, design and build. He retired in 1984 after what he described as 47 very satisfying years.
Always ready to give advice from his vast knowledge
Myra and Tony have raised two fine sons both of whom are married and who in turn have given Mum and Dad five Loving Grandchildren.
 
Since joining Royal Protector Craft Lodge in 1955 Tony has been a member of many side degree Lodges, Royal Protector Chapter, Atherleigh Rose Croix, Adoniram Mark, Two RAM Lodges to name but a few, his dedication to all forms of Masonry are outstanding, He reached his Golden Jubilee on the 4th March 2005 (50 years) followed by his Diamond Celebration on 26th March 2015 (60 years) in the Craft. He occupied the WM’s chair yet again to preside over proceedings during Royal Protector Lodge’s Centenary Year in 2010. He has been South Eastern Group Chairman, Festival Rep and taken many other distinguished offices.
On the 26th February 2018 a large celebration was held at Urmston Masonic Hall, attended by the RW PGM Keith Beardmore, members of his team and many Grand officers to Celebrate his 50 years as a Mark Mason, he was delighted to receive two certificates to mark the occasion one from Grand Lodge and one from Provincial Grand Lodge at which point he presented a very generous personal donation to the Mark Charities.  
 
There is no doubt that his entire life has been an example of what makes a good Freemason, as well as a good citizen, a good husband, parent and grandparent, there is no doubt that during the last sixty years anyone who happened to learn that he was a Freemason, could not fail to see what a great ambassador he is for our order.
Chorlton RAM Elevation Meeting
In closing all I can say is what an interesting and full life Tony has had, I have said before why not get a volunteer to stand up at your own Lodge Social Board and give a short resume of their life, family, hobbies and interests, will it be as full and interesting as Tony’s if we don’t find out more about our friends in the Mark Degree we will never know.
 
Here’s looking forward to my next Mark Meeting to meet up with my friends and those I have yet to meet, maybe I will see you at Grand Lodge in September until then Mark Well.
 
Words and pictures by Austin N Fletcher.  PGStwd.
Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark,  No.1173.