Jim Mylan 60th

Celebration and Reflection of 60 years in Mark Masonry for W Bro Jim

On Wednesday 30th November I was pleased to be able to attend the Celebration of 60yrs as a Mark Master Mason by W Bro James Leonard Mylan.

Jim with Howard Emmett and Giles Berkley

I first met W Bro Jim in 1976 when we both worked for Whitbread PLC. In those days, W Bro Jim was the Engineering Manager for Merseyside and North Wales. He was then based at the Liverpool Depot.

On reflection, Jim had a definite aura, which I later found it to be that of a Masonic Director of Ceremonies.

Our RW Provincial Grand Master Keith Beardmore broke with tradition, and proceeded to the North-West side of the Lodge room in Garston Masonic Hall. The reason for the change, was to enable the Brethren to focus on the Celebrant W Bro Jim, much to the delight of all present.

Jim with his guests from Cheshire and North Wales

Our PGM delivered the presentation, showing his admiration and genuine affection for W Bro Jim.

Born on 10th June 1922 in Ramsgate Kent, Jim lived with his Mother, Father and his Sister Ada. When Jim was 8 years of age, the family moved to Southall in Middlesex.

A Grand Gathering

During his school years Jim developed a love for sport and in particular football and cricket. He developed such skill at cricket he was chosen to play for the Middlesex County Schools Association.

On leaving school at the age of 15 yrs Jim found employment has an apprentice engineer with AEC Ltd a company which manufactured Buses, Lorries and engines for use in industrial power plants.

In 1940, at 18 yrs of age Jim volunteered to join the RAF and trained as an engine fitter which included Training on Marine craft. In 1942 trained in torpedo maintenance.

Due to his acquired skills, Jim was posted to Wick in Scotland, attached to a Torpedo Bomber Squadron. During this Posting, W Bro Jim found himself aboard the Three Funnelled Cruiser HMS Cumberland along with, HMS Norfolk and HMS Belfast, which were sent to the Arctic Circle and Russia.

The Orders of this flotilla, were to shadow convoys and seek out German surface raiders. The Patrol included Iceland and North between, Bear Island, Spitsbergen and Murmansk as Convoy protection.

Encountering mammoth seas, the ships journey took W Bro Jim and his pals back towards Iceland and Scapa Flow. W Bro Jim was transferred to HMS Norfolk and back to the Clyde.

Jim was then posted to West Kirby on the Wirral and on his first met Nancy who became his wife two years later. Jim and Nancy were married for 50 years until Nancy passed away.

In 1946 Jim was demobbed and rejoined AEC in Southall. In 1950 Jim and Nancy moved to home when Jim secured a job with Threlfalls Brewing Company in Liverpool. Jim was appointed Manager of the Fleet Engineering Department.

Following the take-over of Threlfalls by Whitbread PLC, Jim was retained in the same position, with the much greater responsibility, covering the whole of Merseyside and North Wales.

W Bro Jim Mylan Joined Freemasonry in 1955, initiated into Ancient Union Craft Lodge in Liverpool Masonic Hall Hope Street. W Bro Jim progressed to being installed as Master in 1969. A Founder member of Greasby Craft Lodge in the Province of Cheshire in 1970, in !971 W Bro Jim was installed as Worshipful Master.

Unfortunately, W Bro Jims Mother Lodge closed in 2011 and Greasby Lodge closed in 2013. W Bro Jim is now a member West Kirby Craft Lodge.

W Bro Jim was advanced into Walton Lodge MMM 161 in 1956, holding every office to become Worshipful Master in 1966. in 1973 W Bro Jim was appointed Assistant Director of Ceremonies, in 1995 he was appointed P Pr Grand Junior Warden. In !984 W Bro Jim was honoured by being promoted to Past Grand Standard Bearer. Since 1994 W Bro Jim has held the Office of Past Junior Grand Deacon.