Glandore Masonic Lodge 551

Best excuse for non attendance at the Lodge.

In September 1940 Bro. P. G. Keri of Glandore 551 offerred one of the most creditable excuses for non-atttendance at his Lodge. In his letter to the secretary giving his appologies, he stated he was at sea searving with the Royal Navy when his ship was hit by a bomb and sank as result of enemy action.

The Oldest Initiate

Extract from an article by George Power published in the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim Gazette 1991

Possibly the oldest Initiate into freemasonry was Voltaire the great philosopher, who was made a mason at the age of 84 on 7th April 1778. The ceremony took place in Paris at the Lodge of “Les Neuf Soeurs”, and was conducted by the celebrated French astronomer Joseph Lalande, who had as his Wardens, the Compte de Stroganoff, Court Chamberlain to the Empress Catherine of Russia, and Colonel Laroche. Voltaire entered the Lodge, escorted by Benjamin Franklin and Count de Gebelin, and it was recorded that “the scene was one of unusual brilliance”. Owing to the age of the candidate, together with his distinction (and disability), the usual preparations were dispensed with. Voltaire was invested with the apron which had formally belonged to another great philosopher, Claude Helvetius.

It appears that due to the initiation of William McAlpine into Glandore Masonic Lodge on the 27th April 1995, Voltaire must now be demoted to at least the second oldest initiate into Freemasonry as Bro. McAlpine was then 85 years old.Unless of course, you know of an older initiate.

The Shortest Serving Member

One of the shortest serving members of Glandore must be Bro Albert V. McKee, who joined the Lodge 24th September 1939, was raised 21st September 1939, and passed 19th October 1939. Sadely Bro. McKee was killed in action with the Royal Air Force on 16th November 1939. LEST WE FORGET.