W.Bro. Eustace Anthony Johnson. (Tony)  PGJD
105 Years old in October Last
Our Very Own War Veteran in the West Lancashire Mark
 
Where do you begin to describe such a man, I have been privileged to have known Tony for many years, his friendly persona, especially in and around Urmston and beyond that in Chorlton where the Mark Lodge used to be based is well known and respected.
Tony has been my Mentor for most of my Masonic career and it was a pleasure to attend a surprise Sunday Afternoon Tea on the 13th October at Ellesmere Sports Club in Worsley to Celebrate the milestone 105th Birthday.

Friends old and new attended and the expression on Tony’s face was a site to behold and for once he was pretty speechless, a lovely spread had been put on by his son and daughter in law Sandra which they had made and included a wonderful homemade Birthday Cake, the best I have ever tasted, I did try to get some extra pieces, but without luck I’m afraid.

These are just a few of Tony’s achievements, he was born in 1919 in Monton, Manchester, his father Albert was a Freemason and a member of Royal Protector Lodge, he unfortunately died in 1929 from an illness contracted whilst a P.O.W. in the Great War. (1st World War)
Tony enlisted in the Prince of Wales Volunteers and after basic training was posted on to the Green Howards, he sailed on the Queen Mary with 13,999 other soldiers destined for the Middle East and to Alamein attached to the 50th Div. He contracted Yellow Jaundice, sent to hospital and ordered not to eat certain foods as it would slow down his recovery, he thought I like it in here so somehow he secretly obtained and ate the banned foods, but eventually all things come to an end and he was discharged and sent to Ismailia and promoted to Sgt.
He was then attached to the American 5th Army with a specialist Beach Landing Group, life was a much better deal, they all ate much better and on one occasion he swapped a tin of bully beef for a whole case of Spam, what joy, who would have thought of Spam as a delicacy. He took part with the Americans in the landings in Salerno and Anzio, then it was back to Egypt before heading back to Scotland in preparation for the D Day landings, On the 6th June he landed on Gold Beach where his team though under heavy fire had to try and unload supplies, ammunition, food, medical supplies and vehicles for the push inland, what memories that must be. Eventually he was demobbed in 1946 still with the rank of Sgt, and some say he still has the suit he was issued with.
Back in his civilian life his main hobby was water polo, yes water polo, he got a good job working in the office at Fernley’s where he met his wife Myra now unfortunately deceased, they both continued attending night school where he qualified as a Quantity Surveyor, the hard work paid dividends when later he became Chief Q.S. and estimator, after 15 years he was appointed to the Board an appointment he kept for 26 years before retiring in 1984.
His Masonic History is as such:-
W.M. Flixton Mark 1968. Shepherd Eastwood Mark 1977, Treasurer 1978, Register of Marks 1988, he was made an Honorary member and still continues to attend to this day.
Appointed to Prov Grand Lodge in 1982 with the Rank Prov Asst St B and promoted to PPrGJW in 1988.
He became a member of Adoniram Lodge of MMM and became W.M. in 2005.
Organised the Mark Prov Ball 1984 / 1988.
Appointed as Grand Steward in 1988 and joined the Grand Stewards Lodge in 1994 and then promoted to Grand Junior Deacon in 1994.
He joined Chorlton Royal Ark Mariners being W. Commander in 1989, a founder of Ridgemont Royal Ark Mariners and a member of Adoniram Royal Ark Mariner.
Holder of Royal Ark Mariner  Grand Rank.2001.
Tony is a credit to himself, the Mark Degree and all the other Degree’s he has been a member of, he has spent many hours in the service of others, the less fortunate, the needy and people suffering from illness and the lonely. I’m sure we all send him our very best wishes on reaching the magnificent age of 105, we pray he will have good health and we his Brothers pray we will be blessed with his company for many more years.
Tony, Friend, Gentlemen and Brother.
Two Questions Remain,
is he the oldest Veteran still living and is he the oldest active West Lancs Mark Mason.
 
Austin N Fletcher. PGJD. Flixton Shepherd Eastwood Mark. No. 1173