Page 17 - Flaming Cauldron – Issue 64

ACC ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER

Hampshire Freemasons 80th Anniversary of

D-Day Dinner Saturday 1st June 2024. By Major (Retd) Wally Vincent

Readers may recall that I have previously included
an article about myself and Freemasonry. For
those of you who know me, it may not surprise
you to learn that I have been ‘invited’ to arrange
a couple of Masonic events starting with a dinner
at Chilcomb Down House in Winchester to com-
memorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and to
celebrate the enduring links between the Masonic The Claret Jug The Aldershot and Rushmoor casket The No.1 Burner
Province of Hampshire & Isle of Wight and its As an aside, I borrowed eight items of silver
military Lodges, many of whom enjoy the mem- for table centrepieces, four of which were for-
bership of a number of serving and former Armed mer ACC items, from The Royal Logistic Corps
Forces personnel. Headquarters Officers’ Mess and The RLC
The dinner was attended by over 60 guests Museum who were kind enough to agree to a short
including the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Mr term loan. The three items of ACC silver are pic-
Nigel Atkinson and Mrs Christine Atkinson, the tured above and include the rather beautiful Claret
Provincial Grand Master (PGM) Mr Jonathan Jug; the Freedom of the Boroughs of Aldershot and
Whitaker and Mrs Lynn Whitaker, the Mayor Rushmoor casket and the No.1 Burner presented
of Winchester Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith by the 1st ACC Apprentices intake on the occasion
together with the Mayoress Mrs Dinah Ashcroft, of their 40th Anniversary on 19th February 1987.
Colonel Andrew King, President of the Royal The Harold E Taylor Trophy presented in 1971
British Legion Hampshire and speaker Mr Andy was also borrowed (but is not shown here). It was
Dodson from the Aldershot Royal Engineers a great opportunity to give these items an airing as
Lodge No. 4178 accompanied by Mrs Sonya there are very few opportunities to proudly display
Dodson. Following dinner, a speech by the PGM the ACC silver. For information, I also borrowed
was responded to by the Lord-Lieutenant, him- a Rugby Football Championship Cup presented
self an Army veteran, before Andy Dodson gave The picture shows from by Major General BA Hill in 1937; an Airborne
a personal perspective about the help, support, left: the Provincial Grand Para statue presented by airborne officers of the
Master, Andy Dodson,
assistance and camaraderie offered by Freemasonry RASC in 1956; a Soldier statue presented by regi-
the Lord-Lieutenant and
during his extremely challenging transition from mental officers in recognition of 8 Regiment RLC
myself. Reproduced by
the Army into civilian life. I’m please to report that kind permission of the emergency tours in Northern Ireland and lastly the
the evening was enjoyed by all. Hampshire Chronicle Princess Racquet Cup presented in 1892.

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