Telegram from The King for distinguished local Freemason

Multiple long service awards for Alf Garner and a very special message from HM The King

On reaching 100 years old on 12th July 2023, a well-known and distinguished Colchester Freemason, Alf Garner, received a birthday telegram from HM King Charles III together with many cards and well wishes from family, friends and Freemasons from across the UK.

Alfred Edward Garner is a former District Grand Master of Zambia, where he first joined Freemasonry in 1953. He became an active member and achieved Grand Rank in some of the many additional Masonic Orders.

On his return to Essex in 1981, Alf settled in Colchester and remained active. The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine in 2007 installed Alf at Colchester as the Royal Order of Scotland Provincial Grand Master for the Province of East Anglia.

In 2023, as well as receiving a royal birthday telegram, Alf was presented in April with a certificate for 70 years’ service in Craft Freemasonry by the Provincial Grand Master for Essex Freemasons, Paul Tarrant.

Alf was also presented with a 60 years’ service certificate by the additional Masonic Order of Rose Croix and in May 2023 for 50 years’ service in the Royal Order of Scotland which was presented by Ralph Robertson, the current Provincial Grand Master of the Order in East Anglia.

Report by Ralph Robertson

Photos:

Top: L-R (presenting certificate) Ralph Robertson, Alf Garner and John Robertson

Left: L-R (in regalia) John Robertson, Alf Garner and Ralph Robertson