Bro George Bowrin has a particularly interesting history as a mason due to moving about a lot whilst in the army.

He started out in Falcon Lodge No 7510 in North Rhodesia (now known as Zambia), which was under English Constitution, in September 1969. He was passed in November 1969 and Raised in April 1970.

On moving back to the UK in 1971, he became an affiliate member of Lodge Lord Warkworth No 1873, In Amble, Northumberland. This was also under English Constitution.

1972 saw his returning to Rhodesia, this time Southern Rhodesia, and becoming an affiliate of Lodge Farquharson-Smith No 1458, which was under Scottish Constitution. He became a Mark Master in February 1976 and returned later and took the chair to become Master of the Lodge in December 1982 for one year.

During this period he also became a member of Thistle Royal Arch Chapter No 657 under Scottish Constitution and of Harmony Cryptic Council No 713, where he became a Knight of the Sword, Knight of East, Knight of East/West, and a Royal Ark Mariner. He then joined Goodhope Conclave No 49 under Scottish Constitution where he became a Knight of Rome, Knight of Holy Sepulchur and a Knight of St John Evangelist.

In 1976 he became a member of Robert the Bruce Priory and Priory of Malta where he became a member of Order of the Temple and Order of Malta in 1977.

Returning to the UK once again, Bro Bowrin became an affiliate member of Lodge Lochiel No 1200 in 1986 and took over as Master in 1991 for one year.

In 1989, he joined 18th degree Sovereign Prince Rose Croix.

An interesting thing happened whilst Bro Bowrin was travelling back to Capetown in October 1972. During the evening of the first night on board ship, a note was slipped under his door inviting him to attend an "informal gathering of Freemasons". A copy of the letter and also the minutes of the gathering can be found by clicking here.