On Saturday 6th September 2025, Kensington Battalion Lodge No. 3625 held their first meeting since the passing of our late Provincial Grand Master, R.W.Bro. D. Gerald Rowbottom. It was especially poignant, as R.W.Bro. Gerald was himself initiated into Kensington Battalion Lodge on 9th November 1988.
In a true display of the solidarity and unity so characteristic of our wonderful fraternity, Kensington Battalion invited brethren from South Wales to join them as they commemorated, celebrated, and remembered R.W.Bro. Gerald.
More than eighteen brethren from across the Province made the journey to London. Each carried with them fond and lasting memories of R.W.Bro. Gerald, and all were only too happy to share their stories. For many, it was also their very first visit to Grand Lodge, an opportunity they seized to explore the splendour and rich history of the Museum of Freemasonry.
As the afternoon progressed, a sense of anticipation filled the air. The meeting was not only a chance to remember R.W.Bro. Gerald, but also an important occasion in the Lodge calendar, their Installation meeting, one which R.W.Bro. Gerald himself would most certainly have attended.
The Lodge was opened at 4 p.m., and a minute’s silence was observed in his memory. Thereafter, the brethren conducted a sincere and heartfelt ceremony, made all the more poignant by the historic setting of Grand Lodge itself.
Prior to observing a minutes silence, the Lodge delivered a heartfelt eulogy, after which Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. R. Michael Coombes, spoke with fondness and pride of how R.W.Bro. Gerald’s vision and forward thinking had helped shape, guide, and transform the Province of South Wales. He reflected on the important influence Gerald had on so many brethren during their Masonic journey simply by being the man he was.
W.Bro. Warren Jones, a close friend of R.W.Bro. Gerald whose friendship stretched back to the beginning of their Masonic careers, read a letter received by Edgar Rutter Lodge No. 7196 a Lodge especially close to Gerald’s heart. The message, from District Grand Master of South America, R.W.Bro. Richard Cooper, expressed deep gratitude and respect:
“Our Order has lost a truly great Brother, and we would wish you to let the brethren in London and in South Wales know that this District will forever be grateful to Bro. Gerald. We too shall remember him as the very embodiment of all that our Order represents.”
The festive board was a joyful and moving occasion, with brethren speaking warmly of R.W.Bro. Gerald. Each had his own treasured story to share, recalling the qualities of a remarkable man and Mason.
Assistant Provincial Grand Master, W.Bro. Timothy R. Clark, replied on behalf of the visiting brethren. He thanked Kensington Battalion Lodge for their warm hospitality and remarked how uplifting it had been to hear so many unique memories and stories. Each, he said, sent a shiver down the spine and reminded all present of the indelible mark left by a truly extraordinary Provincial Grand Master.