Martin H. Turnbull Lodge No. 563
Founder's Jewel 1923.
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Obverse of Jewel
A silver gilt Founders Jewel suspended from a single silver gilt blue enamel bar with the word "Founder" thereon and a sky blue ribbon.
A silver gilt Founders Jewel suspended from a single silver gilt blue enamel bar with the word "Founder" thereon and a sky blue ribbon.
The Jewel comprises of a plinth, which is silver gilt, and oval in shape. On the plinth is the crest of the Turnbull Clan, which consists of a bull's head with the motto of Turnbull Clan "Audaci Favet Fortuna" (Fortune Favours the Brave) see Footnote and on the circumference thereof in the name of the Lodge "Martin H. Turnbull Masonic Lodge No. 563".
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The reverse of the Jewel bears the inscription:
"W.M. McDowell P.M. I.G. 1923" The Maker's Mark on the reverse of Jewel is "RMcD&Co.". |
Short History of Warrant No. 563.
Warrant No. 563 Issued to brethren in RATHKEALE, County Limerick on the 7th January, 1779.
Warrant No. 563 sent in and filed and Cancelled on 5th July, 1818.
Warrant No. 563 sent in and filed and Cancelled on 5th July, 1818.
History of Martin H. Turnbull Lodge No. 563.
The Minutes of the G.L. Board of G.P. dated 4th June 1923 in regard to Lodge No. 563 shows -
"4 June, 1923 - Read Memorial from various Brethren praying for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Belfast in the County of Antrim to be called the Martin H. Turnbull – Recommended"
The Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 7th June, 1923 confirmed the recommendation of the Board and Warrant No. 563 reissued to "Martin H. Turnbull Lodge" in BROOKVILLE MASONIC HALL, ANTRIM ROAD, BELFAST, 8th June, 1923.
The Lodge was named in Memory of Very Worshipful Brother Martin H Turnbull, The Provincial Grand Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim.
Series five Vol. 19 shown as Vol. 4 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-
"Warrant No. 563 to Belfast as “Martin H. Turnbull Lodge”, 8 June, 1923 - Joseph MacBride, Printer & Stationer; William G. Turner, Merchant and Robert J. Mackrell, Civil Servant, all from Lodge No. 425, registered along with twenty-three others, seventeen from Lodge No. 425, the remainder from various other lodges, 8 June, 1923."
The Lodge was Constituted in the Brookville Masonic Hall, Antrim Road, Belfast on Wednesday, 19th September, 1923 by the Provincial Grand Master of Antrim, Rt. Wor. Bro. J.H. Stirling.
There were thirty-one Foundation Members of The Martin H. Turnbull Lodge No. 563, W. Bro. J. MacBride was the first Master, Bros. Wm. George Turner and Robert J. Mackrell the Wardens. W. Bro. David Carruthers was the first Treasurer and W. Bro. Robert McDowell the first Secretary.
A total of 99 brethren registered up to 5th October, 1951. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Series six Vol. 22 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-Warrant No. 563 to Belfast as “Martin H. Turnbull Lodge” Register commences with the registration of Norman W. Wilson, MD., LRCP., registered 5th December, 1952.
Removed to Freemasons' Hall, ROSEMARY STREET, BELFAST, 1973
A total of 61 brethren registered up to 9 September, 1983. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
From 1984 the registration of members is held, in alphabetical order, in a computerised register by Grand Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Registration of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Secretary of Lodges are held in separate Registers, the first Volume covering the period 1983 to 1994 inclusive and the second Volume covering from 1995 to date.
The Warrant of this Lodge has been surrendered to Grand Lodge.
"4 June, 1923 - Read Memorial from various Brethren praying for a warrant to establish a Lodge in Belfast in the County of Antrim to be called the Martin H. Turnbull – Recommended"
The Minutes of Grand Lodge dated 7th June, 1923 confirmed the recommendation of the Board and Warrant No. 563 reissued to "Martin H. Turnbull Lodge" in BROOKVILLE MASONIC HALL, ANTRIM ROAD, BELFAST, 8th June, 1923.
The Lodge was named in Memory of Very Worshipful Brother Martin H Turnbull, The Provincial Grand Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Antrim.
Series five Vol. 19 shown as Vol. 4 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-
"Warrant No. 563 to Belfast as “Martin H. Turnbull Lodge”, 8 June, 1923 - Joseph MacBride, Printer & Stationer; William G. Turner, Merchant and Robert J. Mackrell, Civil Servant, all from Lodge No. 425, registered along with twenty-three others, seventeen from Lodge No. 425, the remainder from various other lodges, 8 June, 1923."
The Lodge was Constituted in the Brookville Masonic Hall, Antrim Road, Belfast on Wednesday, 19th September, 1923 by the Provincial Grand Master of Antrim, Rt. Wor. Bro. J.H. Stirling.
There were thirty-one Foundation Members of The Martin H. Turnbull Lodge No. 563, W. Bro. J. MacBride was the first Master, Bros. Wm. George Turner and Robert J. Mackrell the Wardens. W. Bro. David Carruthers was the first Treasurer and W. Bro. Robert McDowell the first Secretary.
A total of 99 brethren registered up to 5th October, 1951. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
Series six Vol. 22 of the extant Grand Lodge Registers shows:-Warrant No. 563 to Belfast as “Martin H. Turnbull Lodge” Register commences with the registration of Norman W. Wilson, MD., LRCP., registered 5th December, 1952.
Removed to Freemasons' Hall, ROSEMARY STREET, BELFAST, 1973
A total of 61 brethren registered up to 9 September, 1983. In most cases the dates when the issue of certificates is shown, together with the occupation of the brother.
From 1984 the registration of members is held, in alphabetical order, in a computerised register by Grand Lodge, Freemasons’ Hall, 17 Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. The Registration of the Worshipful Master, Wardens and Secretary of Lodges are held in separate Registers, the first Volume covering the period 1983 to 1994 inclusive and the second Volume covering from 1995 to date.
The Warrant of this Lodge has been surrendered to Grand Lodge.
R.W. Bro. Martin H. Turnbull, P.P.G. Sec.,
Prov. Deputy Grand Master, Antrim, 1921 - 1923.
R.W. Bro. Martin H. Turnbull,
Prov. Deputy Grand Master, Antrim, 1921 - 1923.
Prov. Deputy Grand Master, Antrim, 1921 - 1923.
Reproduced from "History of Masonic Hall, Arthur Square, Belfast" (1938) By V.W. Bro. Samuel Leighton.
The death of R.W.Bro. Martin H. Turnbull will long be remembered as one of the greatest losses the Order in the North of Ireland had experienced. He made himself greatly beloved by his whole-hearted work as treasurer of the Belfast Masonic Charity Fund, to which he devoted himself through many years of generous and unstinted service.
He took up the duties when only a young Mason, and in the work of charity he found his métier. It was a delight to see the great-hearted sympathy he displayed to the annuitants when handing to them their monthly cheques. His brethren soon recognized his worth and sought tn promote him Lo higher honours, but he declared that the highest honour he could receive was that of helping to lighten the sorrows and cares of the poor and distressed, and for years he resisted all invitations to go up higher. When at last he did accept promotion he was nominated as Provincial Grand Secretary. After a short time he received a further honour at the hands of his warm friend, the R.W. Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Jas. H. Stirling, who appointed him R.W. Provincial Deputy Grand Master - a selection which was hailed with every demonstration of approval.
Unhappily, he did not live long to enjoy the distinction. He was stricken with a severe illness, which with tragic suddenness, ended fatally, causing the greatest consternation in Belfast. His brethren recognised that they had lost a brother who never wearied in well-doing, and had set an example of unselfish devotion to the high ideals of service and brotherly love.
Foonote
The Turnbull name goes back to the early 1300’s when a court member of Robert the Bruce, named rullos, saved the king’s life by turning a ferocious bull, which had threatened to gore the king. The grateful king dubbed his subject “Turnbull” and awarded him a crest featuring a bull’s head twisted back with the motto: Audaci Favet Fortuna, or “Fortune Favors the Bold”. |