Recently the Hants & IoW PGM, RW Jon Whitaker accompanied by W Bro Robert Ward, Secretary of Old Pocklingtonian Lodge, No 7867, Yorkshire N&E Ridings, and W Bro Roger Robertson, PM of O P’s presented a 70 Year Certificate to W Bro Rex Belas on behalf of RW Bro Dr David Chambers, PGM of Yorkshire N&E Ridings.

W Bro Rex is 101 years of age and lives with his 99 year old wife of 76 years, Patricia, in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire.

The initial contact was made by W Bro Robertson who also lives in Hampshire and happens to be a Member of the PGM’s Mother Lodge. The necessary approvals and finer details were being organised by the respective Provincial Offices.

W Bro Rex was a Founder Member of OP’s in April 1963 and has been a Member ever since, although the last time he visited was 10 years ago when W Bro Robertson took him to Pocklington to receive his 60 Year Certificate.

W Bro Rex and the PGM had an excellent conversation as Rex served in the RAMC as a psychiatrist, attaining the rank of Colonel and serving for many years after WW2 at the now demolished Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, Southampton, treating men suffering from ‘shell shock’ or what we now know as PTSD. W Bro Rex was obviously in the forefront of treatment of this terrible affliction suffered by so many service personnel.

Furthermore he had many medals in his display cabinet which the PGM recognised and they were able to chat about these. It transpired that both Rex and the PGM are also Officers of the Order of St John.

W Bro Robertson was able to have an interesting conversation with Patricia, whose father was a chemist and a member of Alchemy Lodge, Birmingham. Patricia reminisced about attending a Ladies Night as a teenage girl at the start of the war. She explained how she wore a full length ball gown and felt so grown up.

Amazingly, she had known Rex from the age of 8 or 9 when she went to stay, ‘up north’ with her favourite uncle who was best friends with Rex’s father!

To sum up, it was a most pleasurable and worthwhile visit for all concerned, especially when W Bro Rex snapped a very smart salute to RW Jon as we were leaving. It is fair to say that we all felt very humble in Rex and Patricia’s company.