At Southport Masonic Hall, a very special evening was held in celebration of a long-serving and much-loved companion, as North Meols Chapter No 5828 gathered to mark 50 years in Royal Arch Masonry for Dennis Cox. There was a warm and lively atmosphere from the outset, with companions and visitors arriving in good time, all keen to support a man who has contributed so much both to Freemasonry and to the wider community.
The chapter was opened in due form by the principal companions. Once the regular business of the evening had been carried out, the chapter was elevated to a more ceremonial note as the Provincial party entered in an impressive and well-rehearsed procession. Leading the group was the Grand Superintendent Mark Matthews, accompanied by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John Selley, group chairman Phil Stock and several grand officers, all attending to honour Dennis on his special evening.
Dennis was born in February 1930 in Bootle Borough Hospital to John Mathew and Jane Mary Cox. He was the youngest of five children, and the family lived in Bootle where his father worked as a machine operator and his mother as a full-time housewife. His education was disrupted by the war, with Dennis attending no fewer than eight different schools. At one point, he even found himself at Bootle Girls Grammar School, before transferring back to the boys’ school to complete his education.
After leaving school, Dennis joined a manufacturing plant in Walton, expecting a job in the head office but instead starting out on the shop floor. He soon found he enjoyed the hands-on work and also spent time in the drawing and technical offices. He remained there for over 20 years before being made redundant when the factory was relocated to the Rhondda Valley. On the day the closure was announced, Dennis and three colleagues drove straight to Kirkby and found work with a former British car body manufacturer. He was interviewed on the spot and started work shortly afterwards as a production control foreman.
After two years, Dennis moved on to become deputy production controller at a bakery in Norris Green. He fondly recalled how he wasn’t usually allowed in the sandwich-making department, but one of the workers, Molly, would regularly put aside a specially made sandwich just for him. When the company was sold in 1977 and Dennis was again made redundant, he secured a role with a national rail company, working his way up to Chief Clerk at Liverpool Lime Street Travel Centre, where he remained until his retirement in 1992. During his time there he met many celebrities.
In 1948, Dennis began his National Service, spending 18 months with No 45 Maintenance Unit, based at RAF Kinloss. While there, he had the chance to fly in several aircraft, including the legendary Avro Lancaster. In 1957 he joined the Territorial Army and served with the Royal Military Police Airborne 12/13 Parachute Regiment. He completed 11 parachute jumps, the first four from a balloon at just 800 feet, and later attended the Territorial Army Golden Jubilee in Hyde Park in 1958, which was a proud day for him.
Dennis met Audrey in 1951 at Bootle Conservative Club. They married in 1953 at Christ Church in Bootle and began their life together in Netherton before moving to Kirkby, Burscough, Marshside and finally Ainsdale in 1987. They were married for 56 years before Audrey sadly passed away in 2009. Together they had three children and now has four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Dennis has always been an enthusiastic and skilled photographer. His most notable success came in 1954 when he photographed Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during their visit to Bootle. After being moved on by a police sergeant at one location, he set up opposite the town hall and got some excellent shots. He developed and sold the photos himself and they were later picked up internationally.
Dennis and Audrey were active members of the Formby branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A), where they both excelled at bridge and boules. Dennis remains involved to this day. They travelled extensively together, visiting every corner of the UK and countries including Canada, Alaska, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, Hawaii and America.
Dennis was initiated into Duke of Connaught Lodge No 2919 in March 1973 and raised in January 1975. Just two months later, in March 1975, he was exalted into North Meols Chapter during a convocation. He was conducted around the chapter room and welcomed alongside his fellow candidate. The chapter had 49 subscribing members at the time and was already home to many companions who would go on to become significant figures in its history. As part of the evening’s celebration, extracts from the original minutes of that 1975 meeting were read out, offering a fascinating glimpse into the chapter’s past and a lovely connection to Dennis’s early days in Royal Arch Masonry. He later served as steward from 1977 for five years, before rejoining the chapter in 2003 with his son Jeff. Dennis quickly became active again, serving as first assistant sojourner and progressing through the offices until he was installed as first principal in 2008.
That same year he exalted a young companion named Mark Matthews, now our Grand Superintendent. Dennis later served as assistant director of ceremonies and as scribe Nehemiah from 2014 to 2020. In 2015 he was appointed Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer. A thoughtful and entertaining tribute to Dennis’s life was delivered by Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals John Selley, and the 50-year certificate was read by Phil Stock and presented by Mark Matthews. A heartfelt and enthusiastic acclamation followed from all present.
Before the chapter was closed, Mark Matthews had a remarkable surprise for Dennis. Having served Royal Arch Masonry exceptionally well for 50 years, Dennis received a field promotion from Mark to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Sojourner, a promotion that was thoroughly well deserved for all the work he has put into Royal Arch Masonry and North Meols Chapter over 50 years.
After the convocation, the companions retired to a full and lively festive board. The celebrant entered in procession with the principal guests and director of ceremonies, and a traditional and enjoyable meal followed. Wine takings were carried out in the proper fashion, with toasts to the Grand Superintendent, the celebrant, the principals, grand officers and companions of the chapter. Dennis’s son and grandson were also present, adding a lovely family element to the evening.
Phil Stock offered warm congratulations to Dennis and thanked the Provincial team for their support, before presenting Dennis a card signed by everyone present. This was followed by a light-hearted and well-received speech from one of Dennis’s long-time friends from his early days in North Meols Chapter, which included plenty of golfing humour and fond memories. In response, Dennis rose to speak sharing a few reflections on his life, his family and his journey in Freemasonry. Although not said on the night itself, Dennis had previously remarked, when reflecting on his years as a Mason, that he hoped he had been ‘a good boy, a good man and a good Royal Arch Mason’. It was a simple and sincere sentiment, and one that everyone present would have readily agreed with.
The evening was brought to a close with the janitor’s toast and a final round of applause for Dennis Cox, marking not just 50 years of Royal Arch Masonry, but a lifetime of commitment, service and friendship.
