Page 30 - EssexMason (Issue 89)online_version

General Interest

VW.Bro Fred Thornback
by W.Bro. Terry Lockhart PJGD

f anyone deserves the coveted title of the Father of Essex Freemasonry, it must certainly be
Fred Thornback. At the age of 90 he is still very active and attends many masonic meetings
Iand functions. With his friendly disposition he is equally at home chatting to anyone in
Freemasonry whether they be a member of the Executive or a Master mason and he freely
gives anyone the benefit of his vast experience. His tall distinguished figure belies his gentle
and modest nature.

Frederick Arthur Thornback was born in 1929 He went to a local school in Southend. Soon after WW2 war broke out most of the
schools closed and like many others he was evacuated to a little village in Derbyshire where he stayed for about 18 months before
returning to Southend. At the age of 18 after hostilities had ceased he joined the Royal Airforce for his national service, after 6
months training he was posted to RAF Swinderby in Lincolnshire where he served his time as a flight mechanic.
In 1952 he married his wife Vivienne whom he had met at a youth club in 1949. They had two children Andrew and Lorraine
unfortunately they lost Andrew 4 years ago. They have four Grand Children and a new Great Grandson.
Until his retirement Fred was managing director of the family asphalt company, started by his Grand Father and then taken over by
his Father, both of whom were Freemasons. The main company works were at Prittlewell but the asphalt manufacturing plant was
at Rochford. Fred was a member of the Institute of Asphalt Technology.
Fred was initiated in St Andrews Lodge No 1817 at the Palace Hotel in 1954 at the young age of 24. He was Proposed by his father
who initiated him and seconded by his grandfather. He was W.Master 1n 1966 and again in 1999 when he was 70 years of age. On
that occasion the lodge presented him with a beautiful leather bound souvenir book charting his many happy memories of his 45
years as a member and a mason.
Fred was Worshipful Master of Essex Masters Lodge in1987 and in the same year he was MEZ of Essex First Principals Chapter. In
15 years as an active member of the Provincial Executive, he was first Prov.GDC (1980-84), APGM (1984-1986) and Deputy PGM
(1986 -1994). The rank of PGSwdB in 1986 entitled him to use the prefix of Very Worshipful Bro.which is much cherished and well
deserved. Fred was involved in many consecrations while a member of the Executive and consequently made an honorary member
of many other Lodges.
He was exalted into St Andrews Chapter No 1817 in 1960 and MEZ in 1970. He was ProDepGsupt in the Royal Arch from1986-94
during the same period he was ProvDepPGM in the Craft Eight very busy but very happy years indeed.
For a period of 3 Years from1988-1990 Fred was a member of the Board of General Purposes at UGL where he played an active part
serving on the buildings sub committee.
To crown his esteemed masonic career in Essex Fred was awarded the DSEM in the Royal Arch in 2010 and in 2014 he was honoured
to receive the DSEM in the Craft.
Apart from his Freemasonry, which his wife, Vivienne has always
supported, Freds other main hobby is his garden which is evident from
the beautiful tended lawns and flower beds around the house Freds
other great love is the Southend and Essex Masonic Welfare Trust. He
has been involved with it since the 1960’s and became a trustee since
1980 he was chairman in 1988 a position he held for about 10 years.
The trust continues to improve every year and apart from providing the
brethren of Essex and their families with medical aids the Trust continues
to entertain the RMBI Annuitants on their holiday in Southend.
Fred was made Honorary Life President but is still very much involved.
In recognition of his charitable work Fred and Vivienne were invited to
a garden party at Buckingham Palace in July 1988

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