Exeter Cathedral – 80th Anniversary of VE Day
The Provinces of Devonshire, Somerset and Cornwall held a service of thanksgiving to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe. This was of course held on the 8th May 2025.
Countless Brethren and lodges from all three provinces were represented. Provincial and Lodge banners were paraded in, with Brethren dressed in Military dress or full Craft Regalia. Inside the Cathedral even more Brethren and Companions were also dressed in Full Craft or Royal Arch regalia.
The dean of Exeter Cathedral, the very reverend Jonathan Greener, opened and led most of the service. In his opening remarks, being dressed in a very elaborate embroidered cassock, looking at the brethren assembled, wondered if he, and for the very first time was underdressed. He went on to remember the fallen in what was a very moving act of remembrance.
The Provincial Grand Masters of all three Provinces, namely Right Worshipful Brother Nicholas Ball (Devonshire), Right Worshipful Brother Raymond Guthrie (Somerset) and Right Worshipful Brother David Maskell (Cornwall) read aloud the names of known active Brethren who passed to the Grand lodge Above during the conflict.
The Lord Lieutenant of Devonshire read Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’ … “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. We will remember them.”, which was followed by the last post.
Right Worshipful Brother David Medlock, Assistant Grand Master, representing The United Grand Lodge of England, read from the Gospel of St Mathew, Chapter 5, verset 2-9, and, Right Worshipful Brother Gareth Jones OBE, Past Assistant Grand Master, Third Grand Principal, representing Supreme Grand Chapter read a collection of memories from people that lived to see VE Day.
The presence of so many Brethren and Companions added to the deeply moving and poignant service, much of which is captured in the pictures below.
