Eulogy to W. Bro. William Bryant Lomas

(recited by Worshipful Commander of Derbyshire Lodge of Installed Commanders No 1706)

 Brethren, it is with deepest regret and sadness that I have to refer to the recent and sudden death of one of our older and well respected Brother around the Province W. Bro. William Bryant Lomas. Some of you were already aware of it, as quite a number of you attended his military funeral service at Breadsall church, followed by the commitment at the Derby Crematorium, where on both occasions the bugler sounded the Last Post and the Reveille. It was a very moving experience for all of us attending. Therefore, it is fitting that we should pause for a moment from the ordinary business of the Lodge to pay tribute of respect to this remarkable Brother of such outstanding qualities with which he was blessed, and a dear friend to many of us around the Province  W. Bro. Bill Lomas - I shall refer to him affectionately as Bill, a friend for many years - in spite of his relatives referring to him by his second name as Bryant.

He was born on 27 December 1919. At the age of 10 he moved with his parents to a house in Breadsall, where he lived for the rest of his life. He attended the Diocesans school in Friar Gate, Derby - now long since closed. After leaving school he took up an employment as a clerk with Derby building firm of Edward Wood and Sons, where he continued working until the outbreak of the Second World War. As early as February 1940 he joined the Royal Air force. In August 1941 he was drafted to the Far East. After the fall of Singapore no news was heard from him for nearly a year. It was the International Red Cross that notified the authorities that he was prisoner of war in the hands of the Japanese, and was imprisoned in that notorious slave camp in Java, where he endured most dreadful mental and physical sufferings. On his release he was repatriated in 1945, a human wreck reduced to seven stones in weight, a skeleton dressed in skin. The mental and physical scars inflicted by his sadistic captors took a long time to heal.

When he finally attained some physical and mental stability he returned to his former employment, and carried on working for the firm full-time till 1985, and part-time till 1994. During this time he was already showing interest in Freemasonry. With the help and encouragement he received from the Rector of Breadsall Church, who was in fact a member of United Service Lodge of Derbyshire, and who became his proposer. On the 2nd of November 1965 Bill was initiated in United Service Lodge, and became its Master in December 1971.

My first encounter with Bill was during my interview for a membership of United Service Lodge well over twenty years ago. I can just visualize him sitting there; dark hair, confidant, almost dogmatic while he was explaining what would be expected of me if I was to be admitted. He was explaining all that without disclosing any secrets whatsoever. Bill became my seconder. Bill was Secretary of the Lodge for 23 years. An efficient and knowledgeable secretary he was indeed. We say that the 'Master rules and directs his Lodge'. An efficient and knowledgeable secretary of Bill's calibre ruled and directed successive Masters over several years, by helping, advising and guiding them. After all they were there for one year only.

Bill was heavily involved in Masonry throughout the Province. He was a member of 22 various Lodges, Chapters and Orders. He was also a very hard working Mason. He was Secretary, Scribe, Recorder, and Treasurer in at least 10 Lodges. He was also Scribe in our own Lodge. At the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge several years ago, after being awarded Grand Rank, the then Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master  described him as a 'Work Horse. A hard working Masonic Work Horse'. He certainly was working relentlessly for the benefit of his beloved Masonry. He was awarded highest rank in the Craft Provincial Grand Lodge, that of Past Senior Warden. He was also holder of R.A.M.G.R., and many other distinctions.

After the death of his parents, his cousin who was his housekeeper, and later his lady friend, Bill found himself alone again. He then embraced Masonry even with a greater vigour, and Masonry reciprocated by embracing him, and became his family. Those of us who knew him well, can affirm that he lived for Masonry. In his latter years he encountered a number of health problems. He was a fighter trying to overcome those obstacles in order to pursue his Masonic commitments to the best of his ability. We all noticed over the past few months the extent of his infirmity. He became very ill again. He was rushed to Derby City Hospital, where they stabilized his condition, and where he remained for a number of days. He was transferred to Coxbench Hall convalescing for a while. Two days after returning home, still very weak, unable to do anything, he was determined to visit his Chapter with the help of some Brethren. Four days later he actually took active part in United Service Lodge Installation. His mind still active, he was let down terribly by his legs. Heavily bandaged, he was in constant pain. Three days after the Installation - on Monday evening - he was readmitted to the hospital, and on Tuesday the 8th of December at a quarter to eight in the evening he slipped peacefully away to the Grand Lodge above, to a blessed release to his sufferings. Reflecting on the life of this Masonic Pillar of strengths, we can say with confidence: 'He Marked Well!'

Brethren I ask you to rise and pay this last tribute of respect to our departed Brother, who lived, by Masonic principals biggest part of his life, and 'and died to be deeply regretted'.