l to r - David Rayson, Bradley Davies (senior), Bradley Davies (junior)

Extract from the Deputy Grand Superintendent's Address

I am delighted to be in Dinbych Chapter this evening to pay tribute and present a 50-year certificate and badge to one of the living Legends of West Wales freemasonry Excellent Companion Bradley George William Davies.

In the Royal Arch, you were Exalted in the Dinbych Chapter in October 1972 and went on to serve the Chapter as MEZ on 5 separate occasions in 1984, 1987, 1992, 1998 and most recently in 2016, when thanks to some excellent behind the scenes negotiation by our last Grand Superintendent, E Comp Stephen Hookey, we sneaked the Pro First Grand Principal, Most Excellent Companion Peter Lowndes into the Province.

James Ross was the driver for the evening, and we were tasked with delivering our precious cargo to Dinbych Chapter after the start of the meeting, so that your surprise would be complete. I am sure that evening made a lasting impression on everyone who was present, and I know that Peter Lowndes and Gareth Jones   really enjoyed surprising you, because they often mention it even now.

You have held many ranks in the Provincial Royal Arch Chapter, most notably Third Provincial Grand Principal in 2001 and Second Provincial Grand Principal in 2009.

You are best remembered for your glorious reign as Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies in both the Craft and Royal Arch. I don’t think anyone who was lucky enough to be present at an Installation meeting and saw you demanding admission for PGM or MEGS RW Bro Colin O’Dare in your own unique style will ever forget the experience. The eyebrows entered first.

In Supreme Grand Chapter you were appointed to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer in April 1999, the day after you received your appointment as Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in the Craft – that was a very expensive regalia week in the Davies household! In 2011 you were promoted to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Sojourner.

E. Companion Bradley, there is no doubt that you have had a glittering masonic career and for most of my masonic journey, you have been a Grand Officer in both the Craft and the Royal Arch. Glittering masonic careers don’t just happen they follow a huge amount of work behind the scenes. Your sincere, but jovial dedication to freemasonry both in Tenby and the Province of West Wales is legendary throughout our Province.

E. Comp. Bradley you were born on the 8^th May 1938 at Tenby Cottage Hospital. At the tender age of 13 you travelled to Rochester to attend the Training ship Arethusa curtesy of the local Headmaster’ personal sponsorship where you spent two formative years preparing you for your future in the Royal Navy.

Following your education you joined the Royal Navy, beginning on HMS Ganges as a Communications and Intelligence Operator. Your first assignment was onboard HMS Triumph marking the start of a distinguished 13-year Naval Career. Travelling extensively all over the world. You spent 6 years stationed in Malta. You were told at that time by a gypsy that you would live to be 126.

Whilst in Malta new friendships were formed with many notable figures, young actors and actresses. One of these became a girlfriend. She was one of the main characters of a certain film that had started filming in Malta. You gave her some feedback that the belt she was using as part of her wardrobe didn’t look very good and that she could use your webbing belt from your naval uniform. She took and used the webbing belt, but unfortunately, the filming was relocated to Jamaica, and you didn’t see her again. Who was that girl you may all ask, it was Ursula Andress, and the film was Dr. No.  You always say when she came out of the water and walks toward Sean Connery that’s my belt.

Excellent Companion Bradley, your unique passion for freemasonry is infectious and I am sure that has been a major contributing factor to the success of freemasonry in Tenby and West Wales for the last 50 years. On a personal level, you have always been there to help and guide me along my journey through freemasonry and it is therefore a particular pleasure for me to be the one presenting you with this certificate and badge this evening. I know that you will wear the badge with pride. On behalf of the Companions of Dinbych Chapter and West Wales, I thank you for all that you have done in the past and for the massive contribution you continue to make to our lives. I look forward to many happy evenings in your company in the years to come.