The first Convocation of Provincial Grand Chapter to be held in the new Northampton Masonic Hall was on 27 June. Eighteen Provinces were represented with no less than fourteen Most Excellent Grand Superintendents attending.

 

In all, a total of 230 attended. Unfortunately, this did not include the Second Provincial Grand Principal, E Comp Mike Coleman, who had suffered a motor accident. E Comp Derek Todd stood in as Second Provincial Grand Principal.

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent, E Comp Wayne Williams, made First and Past Rank Appointments as well as appointing his Officers for the year. He also had a surprise up his sleeve for the eldest Companion present. This was 92 years old E Comp Frederick (Vic) Bashford, a member of St Ivo Chapter No 2684, Northamptonshire & Huntingdonshire Chapter of First Principals No 3422 and Ailwyn Chapter No 3535 who is one of the few surviving World War II veterans who were recently awarded the Arctic Star campaign medal.

The Most Excellent Grand Superintendent praised E Comp Bashford's Second World War service. As Cpl Vic Bashford, a young Royal Air Force Electrical Fitter, he was involved in Force Benedict, a secret mission to protect the northern Russia port of Murmansk, that was a crucial lifeline to the Soviets. The aircraft, the first 39 of nearly 3,000 Hurricanes supplied, were transported in August 1941 by the Aircraft Carrier HMS Argos and SS Llanstephen Castle in the first Arctic convoy between the UK and Russia.

 

During the War 104 Merchant ships and 20 Royal Navy ships were lost. Fortunately, E Comp Bashford survived this ordeal and it was for his unstinting service over many years to the Holy Royal Arch that the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent awarded him his Certificate of Meritorious Service.

After the ceremony, to mark the historic nature of this year's Provincial Grand Chapter, the Most Excellent Grand Superintendent presented to each of his fellow Grand Superintendents a commemortative pen.