Richard Fogwill (96) becomes a Double Sixer!
On Tuesday 18 March a delegation of active Provincial officers accompanied V.W. Bro. Timothy MacAndrews on a visit to Connaught Army and Navy Lodge of MMM No.748.
Unbeknownst to the Provincial visitors, they were about to witness a significant piece of Mark/R.A.M. Masonic history.
We started the evening with an Installation of the Worshipful Commander which, very appropriately, was taken up by Captain Richard Fogwill RN (Ret’d). This was his first time occupying the Commander’s chair. His Installation brought about a magical piece of R.A.M. Masonic history. With his installation, Richard became a “double sixer”. The qualification of attaining this award is brought about by being a member of all of the six Orders that Connaught brethren can join i.e. Craft, Royal Arch, Mark, R.A.M., Knights Templar and Rose Croix. The “sixer” as Richard would then be becomes a “double sixer” when they have occupied the Master’s chair in ALL six Orders.
At 96 years old, it is believed Richard is the oldest mason to be installed in a Worshipful Commander’s chair – but this is being fact-checked with Mark Masons’ Hall.
As if that wasn’t enough, Richard then had the opportunity to install his successor into the Chair of Connaught Army and Navy Mark Lodge. I can honestly say that I believe his ceremony was flawless. Richard delivered the Installation ceremony from memory, with not a book in sight. Most of us much younger Masons struggle to get through a full ceremony! Richard, at 96, simply delivered a very sincere ceremony with ease. I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to witness such a skillful rendition. Richard is an absolute credit to Mark Masonry in general and Connaught Army and Navy in particular.
Content: Brian McCormack
