A special occasion has been captured in a painting presented to Freemason Norman Weeks, Past Master of Tyndall Lodge and later, Lodge of St Christopher.
The moment goes back to 2016, when Gloucestershire Freemasons travelled to the Royal National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas for the unveiling of the Gulf War Memorial. Norman Weeks was one of those attending, particularly poignant as his son, squadron leader Kevin Weeks, who was also a Tyndall Lodge member, had tragically lost his life.
Fellow Freemasons Paul Willmott and Geoff Cave led the fundraising that made it possible for all the veterans and families of the fallen to be able to visit and lay a wreath or just have a quiet period of reflection.
‘I remember the day so clearly,’
said Andy Down, Past Master of Kendleshire Lodge.
‘Having served in that conflict, it was an honour to be at the very front of a crowd of some 5,000 or more veterans and families. I will always be grateful to the Old Codger, as he is affectionately known. I recounted this tale to my good friend, Captain George Harrill, who is a military artist. He immediately offered to put something on canvas, purely for the cost of the materials. After a few months, it was ready. The picture has the memorial in its centre, surrounded by a wreath of47 poppies representing each of the souls we lost in the campaign. With respect to the Old Codger, we placed a further single poppy on the tail fin of the RAF Tornado –the very aircraft in which Kevin perished. We can also see armoured vehicles, a Challenger tank, a 432 ambulance to represent my own Royal Army Medical Corp, and a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter.'
The picture (above), held here by Brad Seaman, Past Master of Filton Lodge of Fortitude, was presented to Norman at Tyndall Lodge’s installation meeting, on the instruction of the incoming Master Phill Robinson.
