Page 26 - Essex Mason Issue 85

Events

Peter Dielhenn SLGR

Meets PM Theresa May at Downing Street

Windrush Foundation 70th Anniversary Celebration

As always there is a story behind a picture and as I have had the pleasure of knowing Peter over many years I set it down for others to share.

In more recent years Peter has talked about his life and so I queried how a lad who worked in his uncle’s bakery, who joined the Merchant Navy
at 15, did his National Service at Sandhurst, who then became a large scale builder and developer in east London, finally retiring in Essex, come
to meet Thersa May as part of the recent Windrush Celebrations?
We need to cast our minds, or our knowledge, back to the last World Conflict when England relied on vast numbers from the Commonwealth Countries and
other Territories Overseas to swell the ranks of the Services and the supporting industries. A number of these came from Jamaica, British Guiana and other
parts of the West Indies. After the end of The War they were demobbed and they returned home only to find poverty and little work.
The new Government were keen to boost the dwindled home population and placed an advertisement in 1948 inviting anyone wanting to come to England
could do so by purchasing a one way ticket on His Majesty’s Troopship Empire Windrush, for the sum of £28.10 shillings. 500 took up the offer and the ticket
cost was roughly equivalent to 3 months pay. It so happened that this was the same ship that Peter was a crew member for 2 years as a trainee Baker and so
he became immersed in what was to become a much wider and significant event leading to the multi racial society we now boast.
These Pioneer Immigrants were in sight of Tilbury Passenger Terminal with the House of Parliament still debating whether they should be allowed into the
country! Eventually they landed but there was no reception, some had relatives in Leeds and else where, while others found work and endured racial abuse
and prejudice. For many the first few weeks were spent below the Underground in Clapham South Deep Shelter experiencing many hot, noisy and sleepless
nights. Eventually these people overcame hardship, married and become members of an established society working for the common good and improving
their lives.

It was through the actions of these Windrush Pioneers who fought for there Rights who tackled the prejudice against Black people and who saw in there life
time the wide scale integration of a multi cultural, multi ethnic society that the Windrush Foundation was set up and Dedicated.
Peter Dielhenn at 87 is probably the last known crew member of HMT Empire Windrush who is alive and he started to take an active interest in the
Foundation in 1998 after the celebration of 50 years since the First Pioneers arrived. From then on he has taken part in many interviews and promotions
which he still enjoys. Very recently on the 31st July a film crew spent 4 hours interviewing Peter at his Home. Watch this space!
With his strong desire to help and his charitable nature it was only a short step for him to become a Freemason which he did aged 48 being Initiated into
Tutela Lodge, at that time meeting in The Egyptian Temple under The Abarcorn Rooms, Liverpool Street. On moving away Peter joined BraIntree Masonic
Hall firstly as a member of Cromwell Lodge and secondly Langhorne Lodge where he was the resident Tyler for 19 years, a job he only recently gave up
following the sad loss of his wife and his own serious illness. He is now an Honorary Member. Peter is also an Honorary Member of Linnean Lodge which he
joined in 1949 and holds Senior London Grand Rank.
Little did Peter know that the act of joining up at such at young age would bring with it such wide repercussions, far removed from the Bakery Trade, being
woven into the fabric of social history itself. For him to listen to the Prime Minister apologising to the Pioneers for the treatment they have recently received
was indeed a life time memory.
Andrew Mcleod PAGDC APGP
Lodge of XV

Lodge of XV, the Essex Rugby Saint Cedd’s Lodge Support
Lodge is undertaking a joint
project with the Jason Leonard Old Cooperians R.F.C.
Atlas Foundation to collect
rugby shirts and equipment
for the less privileged of the
world wide Rugby family.
Working together with SA
Rugby Legends Director
Stefan Terblanche the Lodge
and Atlas are distributing the
shirts to village and township
teams in South Africa, Malawi
and Botswana.
he eagle-eyed amongst you might recognise the logo displayed
The first consignment is going out very soon but the first batch has already Ton the front of the shirts proudly sported by the children in
been delivered to Malawi. The picture shows Mike Hall from Lodge of XV the picture… The youngsters of Old Cooperians R.F.C., a new
with Sally Pettipher, CEO of the Atlas Foundation. 15 full strips in junior mini and youth Rugby Team based in Upminster, Essex, have
and youth sizes have been collected along with a lot of shorts, training benefited from a substantial donation from Saint Cedd Lodge
sportswear and the like. Numerous shirts from representing British Clubs No.6519, who have sponsored their playing strips, worn here by the
have also been collected and are on their way. Under 9’s for their maiden tournament at the Blackheath festival.

The Atlas Foundation also support the growth of rugby on the Indian Worshipful Brother John March, Master of Saint Cedd Lodge (Pictured
Sub-Continent and Argentina with projects in may regions. Argentinian here with the team) said “We quietly support good causes and
projects include the provision of medical care and fresh water into the slum charities locally, nationally and internationally and were pleased to be
rugby clubs which is having a marked impact on the health of the kids. able to support a project that will have a lasting impact within our local

Lodge of XV is proud to be involved with such a worthwhile cause as well community. The R.F.U core values of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment,
as supporting youth rugby in Essex, Any assistance from rugby people or Discipline and Sportsmanship transcend sport and are qualities we
kit suppliers would be very welcome lodgexv@gmail.com can all proudly aspire to uphold”
www.essexmason.co.uk

Accounts Opened for all Secretaries making it easy to order Regalia, B of C, Bible and Ritual Books. Everything you need for your Lodge
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