Knight Frederick Dodds, P.Prov.Gt.A-de-C., Prov. Guard
During the first national lockdown of the pandemic crisis, the Provincial Priory learned of the very sad passing of Knight Frederick Dodds, the Provincial Guard.
Fred was initiated in March 1967 into Sandyford Lodge No 6934 and was its Master in 1974. Once he was eligible, he joined the Northumbrian Masters Lodge No 3477 and remained a subscribing member until his death. In recognition of his service to the Craft, he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 1983 before promotion to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 1994.
In the Royal Arch, he was exalted into Temperance Chapter No 2557 in 1970 and was its First Principal in 1981. He was appointed to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in the Provincial Grand Chapter of Northumberland in 1986 before promotion to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 2014.
In the Templar Order he was installed a Knight in St Oswald Preceptory No 481 in 1980 but made the decision not to progress through the Preceptor’s Chair.
Fred was the quintessential Outer Guard, acting as Tyler or Janitor for a number of Lodges and Chapters, and he was a friendly and welcoming presence to many visiting Brethren and Companions.
In KT he was, for many years, the Guard of Royal Kent Preceptory No 20 and subsequently he graciously acceded to our invitation to become the Provincial Guard, which office he held until just shortly before his death.
Such was the high standing in which he was held by all in our Province, he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Great Aide-de-Camp in 2013.
In the Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Fred held the rank of Provincial Grand Inspector of Works, as a member of Unity Mark Lodge No 708 and Northumberland and Berwick upon Tweed Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners No 9003.
His interest in other masonic Orders was unabating, even in later life when his health was beginning to fail. He joined the Royal Kent Conclave No 152 in the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine, fulfilling the office of Viceroy in 2014, though he was unable to progress further.
On 1st March 2017, the RE Provincial Prior, in his capacity of Assistant Provincial Grand Master in the Craft, was able to attend Sandyford Lodge in order to celebrate Fred’s Golden Jubilee in Freemasonry and was honoured to be able to pay tribute to, and present a Certificate to, a well-loved and highly respected mason, whose loss will be keenly felt by all in the Province of Northumberland.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior