Our September meeting has a special element to it, it is the time we remember Bro Gabriel Bullock who was killed in action on the Somme in September 1918.
Every September Meeting (Bro Gabriel Bullock) The Lodge is opened in the first degree and after the signing of the minutes the WM or appointed Brother stands and reads the following oration:
Brethren, on the 3rd day of September 1914, Bro Gabriel Bullock was Passed to the Degree of a Fellowcraft, having been initiated the previous month and subsequently raised to the Sublime-Degree of a Master Mason on the 1st day of October 1914. One can only imagine that the urgency in conferring these Degrees was the impending prospect of him being called for Military Service in WW1.
Bro Gabriel, however, was not called on until 17th February 1916 and was given the number of 85432 and the rank of Gunner in the 255th Siege Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. After training he embarked for France in January 1917; but never came home; he was killed in action on the 15th of September 1918 at Roussel, Somme, in France; just 57 days before the end of the War. His final resting place is the New British Cemetery, in the small village of Tincourt, Northern France.
Amongst his personal effects returned to his grieving Mother were his hairdressing kit, some photos and letters, his pipe - and a Masonic Book.
An extract from the minutes of the Lodge meeting held on the 17th of October 1918 reads:"The WM moved and Bro Captain Rev T Miller Johnson, Chaplain seconded that we place a record in the minutes of our appreciation of Bro Gabriel Bullock who gave his life in action in the Great War in France on September 15th 1918, for his King and Country, that we get a photo, and enlarge and frame the same and hang it in the Lodge Room to his Honour. The Brethren appreciated the action of the WM of promptly sending a letter of condolence to his Mother, and other members of his Family".
Unfortunately, the original photograph of Bro Bullock has been misplaced or lost, possibly during one of the relocations of the Lodge since 1918. However, to comply with the wishes of our forefathers, we resolved to display his image and wreath at our September meeting each year to honour his memory and his ultimate sacrifice in protecting our liberty.
For those who wish to know more about Bro Gabriel, there is a review and short film relating to his life on our Lodge website.
Brethren, please stand to order in respect of departed merit of Bro Gabriel Bullock.
After a suitable period of time the Orator says thank you Brethren be seated.
© Photographs by WBro Stuart Rayton