Below is the text from a Stirling Observer article from 15 December 1953. The paper was donated to our Secretary and Substitute Master Bro. Thomas J. Campbell, PM, DSC (RWM Lodge St. Servanus no. 771). You will see how different journalists wrote back in the day (they loved a long sentence!). And while there are similarities to how we do things today there are differences too. Notice there are still references to WWII and you will see names famous in the then village including Wilson and Maver.
Bro. James Wilson
RWM picture 1940-1944
Bro. John G. Wilson
RWM picture 1932-1933
MASONIC HISTORY MADE AT BANNOCKBURN
New R.W.M. Installed by father and uncle
The father-and-son or the family tradition is one of the basic strengths of Scottish Freemasonry said Bro. John B. Sutherland P.M. of Lodge Abercromby No. 531 when he spoke on Thursday night after the Installation of Bro. George M. Wilson as the new Right Worshipful Master of Lodge Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle No. 312 by his father and uncle.
Bro. Sutherland was proposing the toast to the Bannockburn lodge at the festival of St. John which followed the installation of Office-bearers in the Masonic temple. “With that basic strength” he said, “Scottish Freemasonry simply can’t go wrong.” In the father-and-son tradition, history was also being made in Lodge Abercromby. Bro. Dan Watson P.M. of that lodge who is an uncle of the new Bannockburn R.W.M. had installed one of his sons into the chair of Lodge Abercromby and would install his other son during the coming week as R.W.M.
The installing masters at the Bannockburn installation were Bro. Jas Wilson P.M. father of the new R.W.M. and his uncle Bro. John G. Wilson P.M. These two prominent and worthy Freemasons have built up a reputation of their own as ritualists of a very high order and they excelled themselves in the installation ceremonial.
The other brethren installed as Office-bearers were –
| I.P.M. | Robert G. Wilson |
| Depute Master | John Rennie P.M. |
| Substitute Master | John White PM |
| Senior Warden | Keith Allan |
| Junior Warden | Robert Laird |
| Secretary | Robert Inglis P.M. |
| Treasurer | James Wilson P.M. |
| Almoner | Frederick Findly |
| Chaplain | Andrew McGilchrist P.M. |
| Senior deacon | Bruce Maver |
| Junior deacon | Robert Moultrie |
| Director of ceremonies | John McGregor |
| Jeweller | James Tomlin |
| Bible-bearer | Hugh Smith |
| Sword-bearer | James Rennie |
| Organist | Archibald Swan |
| Marshal | James Glen |
| Inner guard | Dixon Vallance |
| Senior steward | John Stewart |
| Junior Steward | William Scott |
| Tyler | Malcolm Strachan P.M. |
This is not the first occasion in recent years that the father-and-son tradition had been present at a Lodge Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle installation ceremony. Some years ago, the late Bro. John Gibson P.M. installed his son William as R.W.M.
After the installation ceremony an excellent meal was provided at the Festival of St. John by the staff of Bro. Bruce Maver, and an entertaining toast followed.
Bro. John Morrison P.M., in proposing the “Grand Lodge of Scotland and Provincial Grand Lodge of Stirlingshire,” after the loyal toast of, “The Queen and the Craft” had been pledged, commended the brethren to benevolence for the Grand Lodge General and Orphan Annuity Funds. He also noted continued good work being accomplished at Ault Wharry, Dunblane, the home for the aged masons and their wives.
Bro. John G. Wilson who is retiring in rotation as an Office-bearer of Provincial Grand Lodge next year, replied to the toast and also spoke of the fine record of Masonic benevolence.
The collection taken for Grand Lodge General and Orphan Annuity Funds amounted to £9 4s 6d. (£360. in 2026)
High tribute to the skill and worth of the Installing Masters was made by Bro. James Plank P.M., ex-Provost of Stirling in proposing this toast. He mentioned the long association which the Wilson and Plank families had in Bannockburn. He also commended the work of Bro. James Wilson for the lodge during the difficult war years. He paid special a tribute to the work of Bro. John Wilson as an installing master which he considered could not be bettered in Scotland.
In his reply, Bro. James Wilson said he could not determine which of the three occasions had been the most satisfying for him in his Masonic life – his installation as R.W.M. of his mother lodge, his installation in Stirling No. 2 Royal Arch Chapter or on this particular occasion when he had installed his son. On balance he thought perhaps he would choose the last. It was indeed a happy occasion for him.
The new R.W.M., who replied to the toast of “Lodge Bannockburn Bruce and Thistle” proposed by Bro. John B. Sutherland, gave his personal thanks to Bro. Sutherland for having deputised as a speaker at a few hours’ notice. By his historical knowledge and erudition of his speech he had proved himself to be the excellent orator he undoubtedly was.
Bro. Wilson said he would do his best to uphold the Wilson family tradition. But they had to look to the future, and his Office-bearers and himself would strive towards the goal of perfection. They could not possibly hope to attain that goal but in continuing stick in they can feel that they might have done their duty.
The retiring R.W.M. Bro. Robert G. Wilson, who is no relation to the new R.W.M, was presented with his past master’s jewel of office by the R.W.M. who congratulated him on the excellence of his work during his year in office.
Other toasts proposed were:- Visiting Brethren by Bro. Robert Wilson I.P.M. reply by Bro. Alexander McIver R.W.M. Lodge Dollar No. 850, “New Laid, “by Stanes” by Bro. Keth Allan SW, reply by Bro. William Boyd, The Artistes” by Bro. Robert Laird JW, reply by Bro. A.S. Brunton No. 76, “Tyler’s Toast” by Bro. M. Strachan, P.M.
The artistes who contributed to the harmony were: – Bros G. C. Dickson (who deputised at short notice owing to a bereavement), A A. Brunton, both of Lodge Stirling Royal Arch No. 76, F. Findlay, John G. Wilson and A. Swan, accompanist.