February 1965 was a very important month for Warwickshire as it saw the initiation of one David John Frederick Rawlins into the Craft.  It was a reflection of the very high regard in which Bro David is held that over 60 well-known brethren from Warwickshire and beyond come to support him at a recent emergency meeting of the Craft Stewards’ Lodge, one of a number of units of which Bro David was a Founder.

Delivered in typically delightful Warwickshire manner by the Craft ProvGM, RWBro Philip Hall, the assembled throng learned all about Bro David the man and the mason.  Born in Birmingham, he attended local schools before leaving to join the family haulage and earth-moving firm.  Originally using horses and carts before progressing to bigger vehicles with more horsepower, the company was responsible for transporting all the spoil from the underpasses in Birmingham to the airport where it was used in the building of the runways.  They were also involved in the foundations of the Rotunda as well as other major building sites in and around the city.

It was through the family firm that Bro David developed a love of horses.  His father and two uncles were great Shire horse followers.  They bred many excellent animals and would show them at most of the agricultural shows in England before becoming judges at such events.  Bro David recalled his first car – a little red mini – and recounted one of several scrapes in said vehicle.  Driving through Stechford with Denise, the back wheel came off.  They saw it overtake the car, felt a bump and then realised that one wheel had indeed fallen off that particular wagon.

Talking of Denise, they first met at a church youth club.  Her father was a Freemason and they both attended many ladies nights and social events.  Bro David became interested but Denise explained that he would have to ask as, in those days, he would not be invited to join.  He had not yet turned 21, so Bro David would have to wait a little longer.  He married Denise in 1964 and then, having reached the required age, was initiated into Bedford Lodge the following year.

It did not take Bro David long to take his next Masonic step as in 1967 he joined Moseley Mark Lodge – obviously Worcestershire’s gain!  He served our neighbouring Province as ProvAGDC before taking on ProvGDC the following year.  He’d clearly make quite an impression as he was then appointed the DepPGM just two years later!  It was quite some time before he decided to join the Mark in Warwickshire but he obviously hit the ground running as he served the Province as ProvGDC from 1996 until 1999 and subsequently invested as the 14^th ProvGM in 2017.  He had a fabulous five years leading the Province, visiting virtually every other Province including Belgium and the Channel Islands.

Away from Freemasonry, he and Denise had two sons – Adrian & Nicholas – who have given them 5 grandsons.  RWBro David also has one great-grandson and (finally?) one great-granddaughter.  Denise was a great supporter of all that David did but sadly her health deteriorated having been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.  They celebrated their golden anniversary in 2014 but she sadly passed away in 2019.  Bro David has subsequently found a new love in Sandy whom, to the delight of his many friends and family, he recently married.

The RW ProvGM thanked Bro David for this exemplary service to Freemasonry in general and to Warwickshire in particular.  He read out the certificate and then presented him with his new lapel badge.  The escorting ProvAGDC then delivered a superb (and somewhat long) proclamation.  The evening then continued with a splendid Festive Board at which over £650 was raised for Fisher House, a magnificent sum and very appropriate on such a special evening.

WBro Simon Grove, March 2025