GERRY TWAITES joined "The Lodge of King Solomon's Temple No. 4611" on the 25th. May, 1999 having been a member of Swanley Lodge No. 5873 in the Province of West Kent.

 

He was what could only be described as a Gentle Giant of a man ; he being well over six feet tall, and he was also a very quiet reserved man.

 

He joined our Lodge through his long friendship with Tony Ede stretching over fifty years, they both having joined the City of London Police at about the same time, and serving in the same Division.

 

Tony played rugby for the Police, and Gerry enjoyed watching them (and I suspect they both liked celebrating with a drink or two afterwards).

 

I do remember Tony telling me a true story of their escapade up a seventy foot high eucalyptus tree in Angela's garden. The object of the exercise was to try and reduce the height of the said tree to improve the light in the house. Tony placed the ladder against a suitable branch, and advanced up the tree armed with a saw - Gerry was left on the ground or partly up the ladder to prevent it slipping, whilst the sawman proceeded to saw the very branch the ladder was leaning against - the result was pandemonium, as the ladder fell Tony also fell but was able to grab on to a nearby branch, but was left dangling up there, but was able to watch Gerry fall gently still grasping the ladder - (It sounds as if they should have been a Variety Act on the stage).

 

Gerry was known to all who met him in our Lodge as that quiet fellow, who was well respected by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed, but we must comfort ourselves in knowing that we are taught in our ritual that he has now ascended to that Grand Lodge Above.

 

Farewell our friend and brother, and may God Bless you always.