In a ceremony of almost uncanny similarity to last year’s joint celebration of John Newall’s 50th anniversary in Masonry and Murray Worsdell’s initiation, a further 50th anniversary ceremony was held at Foundation Lodge No 5394. This time in favour of Edward Waring, and once more the ceremony was shared by Murray, who this time, was raised to the sublime degree of a master Mason.
Members and distinguished visitors alike meeting at Urmston Masonic Hall were delighted to receive Assistant Provincial Grand Master Stuart Boyd, accompanied by Trafford Group Chairman Patrick Walsh, vice chairman Eddie Wilkinson, together with other grand and Provincial grand officers.
The lodge was opened by the WM Noel Grubb and the general lodge business was dealt with. At this point there was a report and it was announced that Stuart Boyd was outside the lodge and demanded admission. Stuart entered and was welcomed by David and on this occasion, accepted the gavel for the duration of Edward Waring’s 50th anniversary celebration. Making sure that celebrant Edward was comfortable in a convenient chair at the front of the lodge, Stuart began the evening by sharing with the brethren varied and interesting episodes from Edward’s life.
After finishing his schooling, Edward attended Preston Technical College for two years training in textile related subjects which was supported by a scheduled 6-year apprenticeship in the textile industry in 1949. This schedule was not to be completed, as in April 1952, Edward commenced a short-term engagement with the regular army, instead of doing National Service which was a 2-year deployment. Edward’s plan was to learn alternative skills to support a later career, and for this Edward chose The Royal Corps of Signals to train as a teleprinter technician.
Edward was soon transferred to Newton Abbot in Devon for assessment and soon after Edward was taken by troop ship on a 10-day sail from Southampton to Port Said in Egypt. From there and within days Edward was on an aircraft bound for Khartoum in Sudan, where he stayed until being ‘demobbed’.
However, his demobilisation did not go as smoothly as he could have wished. His overnight flight from Ismailia to the UK was aboard an aircraft which included returning military families and he was allocated a seat on his own at the front starboard side of the RAF Dakota. Shortly after take-off, Edward became aware of a red glare in the propellor area of the starboard wing. He drew the attention of this to the cabin attendant who returned with someone from the cockpit. The cockpit member quickly disappeared and there followed a brief Tannoy message outlining to the passengers that because of a technical issue the plane was diverting to Naples Airport.
The next morning, having been put-up at a large hotel in Naples, Edward went downstairs to be met by everyone clapping led by a lady announcing: “This is the soldier who saved our lives last night!” It transpired that his timely observation had come when the captain of the aircraft was in a good position to divert to Naples, but had Edward not acted when he did the outcome may have been very different.
Back in England once more, Edward took work at English Electric Ltd, however history once again intervened with Prime Minister Anthony Eden along with the Prime Minister of France declaring war on Egypt because of a disagreement in connection with ownership of the Suez Canal. Left with no choice, Edward left Preston for Newton Abbot and with others was posted to Cyprus.
On discharge from his second period of military service and following a medical at Police Headquarters, Edward became PC2697 and on completion of 15 weeks basic training in Warrington, was posted to Urmston for his two years probationary period. His beat during this time included the area around Humphrey Park and twice a day checking the buildings on Westbourne Road, coincidentally, the site of his 50th celebration.
A career in the GMP followed wherein Edward was promoted to superintendent, responsible for policing the city area of Manchester before moving back into the traffic department to re-organise the GMP Motorway Group to make it ‘fit for purpose’. In 1984 Edward was transferred to Trafford Division to become deputy to the Divisional Commander, and after two years there, he was transferred to police headquarters and became deputy to the Head of Uniform Operations, a force-wide responsibility, until he retired in April 1988.
Following his retirement from the police and because of his wide knowledge of security and traffic management issues, Edward was invited to take a position with AMEC, a leader in the construction industry. This led to him being part of the AMEC team involved in managing a multi-£1,000,000 contract for a research and development establishment in Hertfordshire for the pharmaceutical industry. On Edward’s retirement from work he relocated to Thornton Cleveleys, where he still lives.
Away from his career, Edward first met his wife Marian when, as 10-year-old children, they joined the church choir as both of their families attended the same church. After growing up together they married, in April 1958. They had two children, Graham who was born in 1959 and Gillian who they adopted 1961 and now they have four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
At this point, Chairman of Trafford Group Patrick Walsh stepped forward to read the certificate issued by the Provincial Grand Master Mark Matthews, this was then presented to Edward by Stuart with Patrick presenting him with a 50-year lapel badge on behalf of the Trafford Group.
This section of the meeting over, Stuart relinquished the gavel once more to David who, in his usual inimitable style, carried out the raising of Murray Worsdell with lodge DC Terry Howard controlling things smoothly and the senior deacon role being carried out in exemplary fashion by Trevor Bedder, and rounded off with a fine rendition of the working tools, given by senior warden Jeff Newbrook.
The evening was a hugely enjoyable feast of Freemasonry and with the Edwards 50th anniversary celebration together with Murray’s raising, it resulted in a slightly extended event in lodge and consequently the festive board was equally extended although just as enjoyable.
Rounding off the evening, Stuart thanked those present for their warm welcome and good wishes and congratulated Edward on his anniversary and propounded the ProvGM’s wishes that we should all enjoy our Masonry and look to round off our experience by joining the Royal Arch. Thus, a unique and thoroughly enjoyable evening of Freemasonry drew to a close.