Just three months after being installed as master of University of Manchester Lodge No 5683, in the province of East Lancashire, Professor Frank Bowling claimed the chair of King Solomon in his mother lodge, Anderton Lodge No 8470 which meet at Westhoughton Masonic Hall, in the Province of West Lancashire. The meeting was a fantastic display of ritual, witnessed by many including some very special guests.
The principal guest at this splendid meeting was Philip Gunning, the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of West Lancashire. Philip was also accompanied by Gary Smith Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies and Rob Fitzsimmons Provincial Deputy Grand Director of Ceremonies. Also present were Assistant to the Provincial Grand Principals Paul Hesketh, group chairman Peter Allen, group secretary Mike Silver, group treasurer Colin Preston and many more distinguished guests.
At the installation, it was shared that Professor Frank Bowling MBE is a talented surgeon, researcher, a volunteer for the World Health Organisation and a great humanitarian in general, traveling around the world to perform surgery and teach at his own expense. Caring for others is a cornerstone of Freemasonry and Frank is certainly a great ambassador and his story is just as honourable.
While working as a draughtsman, Frank travelled the world in his free time volunteering and witnessing horrific scenes of poverty and illness. Deciding to help others, he abandoned his career as a draughtsman and went on to become a doctor of podiatric medicine, the first in the country and gained his PhD in bacteriology. Whilst training, he continued volunteering in his own time, visiting places like South East Asia, Africa, Romania, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.
In March 2023, Frank was invested with the insignia of a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by his royal highness the Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Frank was accompanied by his wife Geraldine and the event took place in the splendour of Windsor Castle.
After completing his doctorate, Frank joined Freemasonry and found others who had the same ethos of caring as well as with Masons in Romania. Having always been aware of Freemasonry through family connections Frank is certainly an enthusiastic Freemason and a credit to the Craft.
Frank now holds seven degrees, he is a Doctor of Science from Nicolae Testenitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, a Professor of Surgery, a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Reconstructive Micro-Surgery (plastic surgery) and has written several books to share his knowledge.
If this isn’t enough, Frank also has a passion for motorbikes, especially restoring old motorbikes and bringing them back to their former glory. But even this has not escaped his caring nature and Frank has just passed his Blood Bike licence.
The installation was completed by a friendly and lively festive board and Philip Gunning was so impressed by Frank’s life story that when the lodge presented him with a beautiful bouquet, he returned it to Frank with instructions to deliver it to Frank’s wife Geraldine who was dining with other Anderton Lodge ladies in another room at the hall.
