Celebrating the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth on 21st April 1926

A highlight of seven Provincial Grand Masters who led our Province through her reign of seven decades from 1952 to 2022

Our Provincial Historian Tony Hales provides highlights of the seven Provincial Grand Masters (PGMs) who led our Province through Queen Elizabeth II's reign of seven decades from 1952 to 2022.

1952 – 1961: The Reverend Canon Stafford Morris MA – Assisted the Bishop of Chelmsford in modernising the Diocese from 1951 until his death in 1961. This included establishing: a home for retired clergy, forming a Society of Friends and Teams for Publicity, Recruitment and Education plus a new Deanery for a growing Basildon. Our Province greatly benefitted from his practical experience and under his leadership membership increased by 1,800 to 16,500.

During the early years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, Britain was emerging from post-war austerity, with the Coronation in 1953 symbolising renewal and a new Elizabethan age. Notably, her 1953 Coronation was the first to be televised, bringing the ceremony into millions of homes and marking a step change in how the monarchy connected with the public.

1961 – 1974: The 7th Earl of Warwick - Known as the Duke of Hollywood. Fired by MGM for having personal relationships with Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo but taken on by Paramount and appeared alongside Errol Flynn and David Niven in the 1938 film The Dawn Patrol. His professional acting experience made him an outstanding ritualist, and the Province grew with 37 new lodges under his leadership.

As Queen Elizabeth II’s reign progressed, Britain experienced significant social and cultural change, with rapid modernisation and evolving public attitudes reshaping national life. In 1969, the documentary 'Royal Family' offered an unprecedented behind-the-scenes glimpse of royal life, reflecting a more open approach to the monarchy.

1974 – 1985: Frederick Leistikow MA – Graduated with Firsts in the National Sciences Tripos at Cambridge. As junior partner to the first Englishman to fly in an aeroplane, he specialised as an aeronautical patent attorney. On the outbreak of WW2, he volunteered for the Royal Artillery but was sent to Brooklands to assist Barnes Wallis. He championed the building of Hamilton Court in South Woodham Ferrers by the Masonic Housing Association which opened in 1983 with 43 self-contained flats.

During this period of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the country faced economic difficulty, industrial unrest and political change, testing national resilience. In 1977, the Silver Jubilee saw nationwide celebrations, providing a moment of unity and optimism during a challenging decade.

1986 – 1995: Guy Jerman – Qualified as a solicitor, established his own practice and served as Coroner for Southend. During his time as PGM, the Essex Mason Magazine was launched, the Provincial Office was moved to Wickford and Jane Reynolds, Chief Executive of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI), in 1993 was the first lady to speak at an Essex Provincial Grand Lodge Meeting.

Under Queen Elizabeth II, Britain saw major economic reform and an increasingly prominent global role, alongside significant changes within society and the Commonwealth. Her 1991 address to the United States Congress — the first by a British monarch — highlighted the strength of the UK’s international relationships.

1995 – 2005: Colonel Sir Neil Thorne OBE TD DL – Served as Margaret Thatcher’s Personal Assistant for six years until becoming the MP for Ilford South from 1979 to 1992. During that time, he steered 22 Private Members’ Bills through the House including the Docklands Light Railway, Jubilee Line Extension and Heathrow Express. The RMBI care home at Stisted was opened in 1999 by the Grand Master, HRH The Duke of Kent, and Teddies for Loving Care was started in 2001.

This period in Queen Elizabeth II’s reign brought increased public scrutiny of the monarchy, alongside constitutional developments and a modernising United Kingdom. Following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, the Queen’s televised address to the nation was widely seen as a pivotal moment in restoring public confidence.

2005 – 2015:  John Webb – Retired as a director of a regional housebuilding company in 2004. One of his proudest moments as PGM was presiding at the Essex 2011 Festival Dinner at the Guildhall to celebrate the record-breaking amount of £5.5 million raised for the Grand Charity, the highest sum ever contributed by any Province to a Festival.

Entering the new millennium, Queen Elizabeth II remained a symbol of continuity and stability during a time of technological change and evolving national identity. Her appearance alongside James Bond during the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony showcased a rare moment of humour and modern cultural engagement.

2015 – 2020:  Rodney Bass OBE – A senior manager at HSBC who also served for fifty years in local government. He became Chair of Essex County Council and was honoured by HM Queen Elizabeth II with an OBE in 2017. Following a courageous battle with lung cancer, he passed away peacefully on 14th July 2020, having brought vision, vitality and compassion to Essex Freemasonry.

In the later years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, milestones such as the Diamond and Platinum Jubilees highlighted a lifetime of service, culminating in a historic 70-year reign. In 2020, her televised address during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the phrase “we will meet again,” became a defining message of reassurance and national unity.

2021:  Paul Tarrant – Whoever followed-on from the much-loved Rodney Bass would have big shoes to fill. Any successor would have had to face a formidable task. Also, having to deal with the resultant disastrous social effects of the covid pandemic as well as implementing UGLE’s new ‘Strategy for Freemasonry 2022 and beyond’ together with all the challenges of leading the Province, the task ahead was, and still is, formidable. He has made several strategic appointments in addition; he was very pleased when Paul Reeves took on the role as chairman of the Teddies for Loving Care (Appeal) Essex.

Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle on 8th September 2022.

The Essex 250 commemorative book entitled ‘The 20 Provincial Grand Masters of Essex 1776 to 2026’, is now published. Comprehensively researched and well-illustrated, it contains over 120 pages of fascinating information about each of the 20 PGMs of Essex from Paul Tarrant back to our first PGM, Thomas Dunckerley.

Photos:

Top: The original accession portrait of Queen Elizabeth II taken on 15th April 1952 by Dorothy Wilding © Crown Copyright.

Below: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Edward Duke of Kent, our Grand Master, watch from the balcony at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour ceremony parade on 2nd June 2022 © Getty Images.