February 1965 was a very important month for Warwickshire as it saw the initiation of one David John Frederick Rawlins into the Craft.  It was a reflection of the very high regard in which Bro David is held that over 60 well-known brethren from Warwickshire and beyond come to support him at a recent emergency meeting of the Craft Stewards’ Lodge, one of a number of units of which Bro David was a Founder.

Delivered in typically delightful Warwickshire manner by the RW ProvGM, the assembled throng learned all about Bro David the man and the mason.  Born in Birmingham, he attended local schools before leaving to join the family haulage and earth-moving firm.  Originally using horses and carts before progressing to bigger vehicles with more horsepower, the company was responsible for transporting all the spoil from the underpasses in Birmingham to the airport where it was used in the building of the runways.  They were also involved in the foundations of the Rotunda as well as other major building sites in and around the city.

It was through the family firm that Bro David developed a love of horses.  His father and two uncles were great Shire horse followers.  They bred many excellent animals and would show them at most of the agricultural shows in England before becoming judges at such events.  Bro David recalled his first car – a little red mini – and recounted one of several scrapes in said vehicle.  Driving through Stechford with Denise, the back wheel came off.  They saw it overtake the car, felt a bump and then realised that one wheel had indeed fallen off that particular wagon.

Talking of Denise, they first met at a church youth club.  Her father was a Freemason and they both attended many ladies nights and social events.  Bro David became interested but Denise explained that he would have to ask as, in those days, he would not be invited to join.  He had not yet turned 21, so Bro David would have to wait a little longer.  He married Denise in 1964 and then, having reached the required age, was initiated into Bedford Lodge the following year.

Bro David was passed and raised the same year but it was not until 1977 that he was installed into the Chair.  He had the honour of being the Master of this fine lodge, sadly since closed, on two further occasions.  In addition to the Stewards’ Lodge, he was a Founder for two other lodges and, in total, has been the Master of five other lodges – no mean feat!  He had obviously made an impression on someone in high office as, having been appointed a ProvGStwd in 1983, he was promoted to PProvReg the following year before being appointed as the ProvJGW in 1985!  Grand Lodge got in on the act and he was appointed PAGDC in 1990.  He became as AsstProvGM in 1999 and then the DepProvGM in 2006.

This was a fairly short-held appointment as London came calling once again but this time in the form of the Mark Degree.  He was invested as the 14^th ProvGM for the Mark in Warwickshire in 2007 and enjoyed 5 fabulous years, visiting most other provinces including some overseas trips.  Having seemingly earned an easier life, he stepped down as ProvGM in 2012 but, once again, others felt that Bro David had more to offer.  He was more than a little surprised to receive a call from the Grand Master of the Order of Royal and Select Masters in 2013 to ask if he would like to become the next District Grand Master for Warwickshire.  Of course he would and he loved his time as such, never regretting his decision to take yet another very high office.

Away from Freemasonry, he and Denise had two sons – Adrian & Nicholas – who have given them 5 grandsons.  RWBro David also has one great-grandson and (finally?) one great-granddaughter.  Denise was a great supporter of all that David did but sadly her health deteriorated having been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.  They celebrated their golden anniversary in 2014 but she sadly passed away in 2019.  Bro David has subsequently found a new love in Sandy whom, to the delight of his many friends and family, he recently married.

The RW ProvGM thanked Bro David for this exemplary service to Freemasonry in general and to Warwickshire in particular.  He read out the certificate and then presented him with his new lapel badge.  The escorting ProvAGDC, WBro Jade Swinfen, then delivered a superb (and somewhat long) proclamation.  The evening then continued with a splendid Festive Board at which over £650 was raised for Fisher House, a magnificent sum and very appropriate on such a special evening.

An expression often heard in the Stewards’ lodge is “once a steward, always a steward’.  Bro David is an exemplar of a diligent steward and servant to Warwickshire and it was an honour to pay tribute to his selfless service to our wonderful Province.