E Comp Lawrence receives his certificate from the Grand Superintendent, E Comp James Ross

It is a great pleasure to be here with you this evening to pay tribute to a living legend of West Wales Freemasonry, Excellent Companion Lawrence Clement Murphy.

E Comp Lawrence, you were Initiated into the St Elli Lodge on 15th December 1965. I was just 3 months old at the time. You were a Founding Member of the Trevor Kelway Lodge in 1972. You joined the Kensington Lodge of Installed Masters in 1978. You were a founding Member of the Peter Drewett Daylight Lodge of Progress in 1991 and I am sure that you hold honorary membership in many other lodges which I haven’t mentioned so far.

You became Master of the St Elli Lodge in 1977 and served again as Master in 2017 meaning that you were IPM of St Elli during this the Centenary Year and we all remember the very fine evening we had to celebrate the anniversary in the Spring. You have been a cornerstone of the very prestigious Kensington Lodge of Installed Masters and you served that Lodge as Master in 1999.

In the Province you were Provincial Standard Bearer in 1983, promoted to Deputy Director of Ceremonies in 1986, further promoted to Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 1991 and finally appointed as Deputy Provincial Grand Master in 1996, a full 4 years before I was Initiated.

In the United Grand Lodge of England, you were appointed to the rank of Past Assistant Director of Ceremonies in 1996, promoted to the rank of Past Deputy Grand Sword Bearer in 1997 and further promoted to the rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer in 2003. Meaning that you are one of only three VW Brethren in the whole Province.

In the Holy Royal Arch you were Exalted in to the St Elliw Chapter on 22nd September 1969 and served the Chapter as MEZ in 1985. You became an Honorary Member of Unity Chapter in 1988.

In the Royal Arch Province, your first appointment was to the Rank of Provincial Grand Registrar in 1987, a very high rank to start at, hence why you had to wait until 1996 for a promotion. The promotion was to Deputy Grand Superintendent though, so it was worth waiting for.

In Supreme Grand Chapter you were appointed to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1993 and promoted to the rank of Past Grand Sojourner in 1997.

E Comp Lawrence, not only have you had a glittering masonic career, but you have served the people of Llanelli in other ways too. You were appointed as a Justice of the Peace in 1983 and served for 22 years the last 15 years as Deputy Chairman.

You were the chairman of the Licensing and Family Courts; Chairman of the Welsh Association Committee Health Council; Patient Representative on the General Practitioners Council in London and twice Chairman of the Community Council.

E Comp Lawrence, a certificate and badge for 50 years’ service in the Royal Arch seems a little inadequate after all your many achievements in freemasonry coupled with your commendable service to your community. You have been and continue to be a fine example to us all and it is with great pleasure that I present you with this certificate to mark 50 years continuous service to Royal Arch freemasonry and pin on this lapel badge which I trust you will wear with pride for the next 10 years until we can present you with your 60 year certificate and badge.

Many congratulations.