| W. Bro. Jim MacKinnon P.M. Hon. Assistant Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland 1916 - 2005 |
During my time in the chair, our then Provincial Grand Master, Brother Samuel M. Horner, was well aware of the fine contribution Jim was making to Freemasonry. A PGM has the power, if he feels so appropriate, to award Honorary Grand Rank to any mason and felt that Jim was a worthy candidate. Quite a bit of personal information was required to be gleaned and I very discreetly made the enquiries, with the valuable help of Jim's wife, Josie. I had the honour of requesting him to come to the centre of the Lodge. He had no idea whatsoever what was happening. The PGM then bestowed upon him the rank of Honorary Assistant Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and invested him with his newly earned Grand Rank regalia. Jim was speechless and near to tears, but those brethren who were in attendance were of no doubt of the fact that such an honour had been well earned and were proud to be witnesses to the ceremony. He had wanted to give up the secretary's post in 1992, but I persuaded him to carry on, with the proviso that I would find a replacement. He willingly agreed. In 1994, I kept my word and a very worthy brother took on the post. He retired from Secretary at the age of 78yrs. He continued to attend and give expert advice to the brethren. His demeanour was such that he was always seen to be in a cheery mood, friendly and never at odds with any brother whatsoever. Ill health and frailty eventually prevented him from regular attendance. His last visit to St Kilda was in 2003. The RWM made special mention of his presence and the brethren gave him a standing ovation for his efforts to attend the meeting. His health continued to slowly deteriorate, but his spirit was unchanged. In a small way, I was able to assist him during these difficult times and it was a privilege to do so. On good days during good weather, locals and tourists alike would see him driving the 1932 Austin around and about Uig, even at the age of 88yrs. Early in 2005, when he was becoming extremely frail, I can recall telephoning him and he stated that he had been underneath the baby Austin, performing some repairs to it. He never stopped and was determined to carry on, as if a man of 30 years his junior. Next page > |
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