the masters chair

History of the Masters Chair 1945 War Memorial After various deliberations after the war it was decided on 15.10.48 that the memorial should take the form of a Masters chair and negotiations were entered into with the firm of A.A. McIntosh of Kirkcaldy to manufacture same (as far as I can see for £75). It was suggested by the lodge that what was the known as purchase tax should not be charged for the work as it was a war memorial but that was turned down by the authorities at the time. The chair was purchased from lodge funds and was not – as some other artefacts in the lodge – donated by a brother or group of brethren. Instructions to proceed were given and meetings were held with the firm’s representatives on aspects of the design – for example it was decided to increase the height from 4’6” to 5’. The design was finally approved on 9.4.49 and firm instructed to proceed on 13.6.49, the chair to be delivered on 12.9.49 – to be unveiled 21.10.49 (it would appear that the chair originally had a cover). The chair was finally unveiled and dedicated on 18.11.49. The RWM Brother James McNab presided and the clergymen present were Bro. Rev. James Wotherspoon, Chaplain Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow and Bro. Rev. William Wright, Honorary Chaplain Lodge 116. The Last Post was sounded on the bugle followed by Flowers of the Forest on the pipes, then the Dead March from Saul on the organ. There was then one minutes silence, after which the Reveille was sounded. Both ministers gave suitable sermons and the occasion was certainly a moving one. Summary of Names George Kinnear Smith, Sergeant Royal Artillery, age 33. Date of death 2/7/45. John Taylor, Signalman HMS Nordhav II, age 30. Date of death 10/3/45. Charles Maharg, Lance Bombardier Royal Artillery, age 33. Date of death 11/8/44. Peter Dunachie Hamilton, Captain Highland Light Infantry, age 33. Date of death 25/1/41. Thomas Fenwick, Steward S.S. California, age 42. Date of death 11/7/43. Thomas Fenwick, Sergeant Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Date of death 7/10/44. by Bro. Andrew Bryce

The Masters Chair