Page 31 - Essex Mason (Issue 91)

General Interest

He lived respected and died

regretted Acknowledgements to:
Acknowledgements to:
Norman Lawrence PAGDC
Nor man Lawr ence P AGDC
Pierre Waddoups ProvGMentor
Pierre Waddoups ProvGMentor
Emlyn Carter PPJGW
Emlyn Carter PPJGW
A birthday card from H M The Queen is always a momentous occasion
for any centenarian and on 25th March this year W.Bro. Clifford Barry
Wyatt celebrated his 100th birthday. A splendid accolade for such a
dedicated and highly respected Freemason.
Sadly, he was not able to enjoy the euphoria for long as he passed to the
Grand Lodge above on 25th June 2021
Cliff grew up in Southend and was initially educated at a local private
school before progressing to Southend High School for Boys in 1931
and he left when he was in the 6th form in 1938. His father also taught
at the same school from 1921. Cliff enjoyed reminiscing about his time
there when he had to buy his own text books (at £3.10s per term) and
lunch with dessert which cost 11d! The food was not very appetising so
together with some other boys he used to abscond to Garons nearby,
where it was cheaper too!
On leaving school, Cliff was mobilised into the RAF as a Sergeant Pilot and while there he had a fl ying accident. After failing
a ‘height test’ he was sent on a six week ‘Air Ministry Inspection Directorate’ (AID) course in London. Later, he started work
at Short Bros at Rochester where they made fl ying boats. While there he met his wife Ethel and they were married in 1945.
It was always Cliff’s vocation to teach, so after the war he embarked on two years of study at Cheltenham College. His fi rst
teaching post was at Shoeburyness High School for 2 years and then in 1951 he joined the teaching staff at his old school.
During his stay there he was appointed the fi rst teacher/governor and he eventually retired in 1981 after 30 years of service.
Cliff always had quite an impressive memory and could still recall the names of notable members of staff and some (well
known) Essex masons he taught at that school including one pupil who failed all his exams! After retirement, Cliff obtained a
City & Guilds Certifi cate in computing at Southend College.
Up until his sad passing, Cliff was virtually housebound in his bungalow at Thorpe Bay. He was cared for by his devoted wife,
Ethel. They had been married for 76 years and have one son, Richard who was born in 1950. Earlier in his life Cliff enjoyed
many interests including cricket, hockey, golf and bowls. He had been a keen member of Rotary and Probus.
Cliff’s masonic life spanned 77 years and he had been a Grand Offi cer for 46 years. He was initiated into Old Southendian
Lodge No. 5403 on 17th November 1944 at the Palace Hotel in Southend. All three ceremonies were conducted as doubles
with his father Billy. He was Master of the Lodge in 1961 and 1992 and he was Secretary for two periods totalling 26 years. In
1969 he was appointed to the acting ranks of ProvSGD, progressing to ProvJGW in 1988. In the Royal Arch, he was exalted
in Old Southendian Chapter No. 5403 in 1958, First Principal in 1964 and was again appointed to the acting rank of ProvGSoj
in 1969, progressing to PPGSN in 1978. He was made an Honorary Member of both his Lodge and Chapter in 2012 and 2014
respectively.
Cliff was also a member of Essex Masters Lodge No. 3256 and Southend Daylight Lodge No. 9723. During his lifetime, he had
proposed 18 candidates into Freemasonry. That must be a record!
In recognition of his distinguished service to Freemasonry, he was awarded Grand Rank in both the Craft and Royal Arch.
In 1975, at the young age of 54 years, he was appointed PAGDC in the Craft and promoted to PJGD in 1985. In the Royal
Arch he was appointed PGStB in 1988. Those worthy appointments were topped by him receiving the prestigious award for
Distinguished Service to Essex Masonry (DSEM) in 2009 and fi nal promotion to PPSGW.
Cliff had an impressive knowledge of masonic history and was an enthusiastic researcher. He prepared and gave many lectures
on subjects of interest to Lodges throughout Essex. He was a Founder of the Southend Masonic Study Circle and its President
for many years. He was actively involved on the Board of Directors of Southend Temple in Woodgrange Drive.

Cliff’s contribution to Freemasonry enlightened the lives of many and inspired countless junior brethren in their pursuit of
masonic education. It was a magnifi cent achievement of reaching a century and he just made it! He lived respected and died
regretted. By Terry Lockhart PJGD

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