Celebration of the 50th Anniversary in Chapter Masonry of Ex Companion Harry Charles Wildgoose

1st February 2010

Harry was born in May 1923 and after schooling in Barrow, started work in the Drawing Office at Vickers Armstrongs. A diligent worker in due course he qualified as a Chartered Engineer.

Harry married Kathleen at Abbey Road Methodist Church in 1952, and she bore him two sons, Keith and Stephen. You settled down to family life, buying a newly built bungalow in Hawkshead Gardens where he was able to enjoy his passion for gardening. Whilst the boys were growing up, he was involved in important engineering works firstly at Vickers in Barrow, then in London, on Power Station design, followed by trips to Derby. During these excursions Harry had not only started your family but also become a freemason, joining Semper Sursum Lodge in 1957.

Harry worked his way steadily through the ranks of the Lodge where in due course he assumed the Chair and since that occasion he has conducted and assisted in many of the Craft ceremonies. He has attained the very high rank in the Craft of Past Pr. J. G. W.

Harry was duly raised to the degree of Master Mason in the Lodge in March 1958 and was in the following year proposed for exaltation into Semper Sursum Chapter by the then MEZ, Ex Comp. J Kent and seconded by the I.P.Z, Ex Comp. J S Earle.

On the 3 February 1960 he duly attended at the Masonic Hall in Abbey Road and was there exalted into Royal Arch Masonry by the MEZ, assisted by Ex Comp. Earle. This was followed by him taking on the progressive offices before, in 1970 he became Third Principal, in 1971 2nd Principal and in 1972 the 1st Principal of this Chapter. He did not retire and put his feet up after that, but took on the duties of Scribe E in 1975, a post which he filled for three years before moving back onto the floor as ADC in 1982/3 and fully blown D.C. in 1983, a position he filled for 8 years. In addition to carrying out the duties of the various offices, Harry regularly assisted at Installations by reading the scriptures and at Exaltations in explaining the signs.

This dedication was recognised in 1980, when he was appointed to the important acting rank of Provincial Principal Grand Sojourner. This was capped off in 1985 when he was rewarded with the very high rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah.

A commemorative scroll was read by Group Chairman, Rowley Saunders and formally presented it to Ex Comp Wildgoose by E Comp Alan Dunn.