Diamond Membership Anniversaries

60 Years of service marked for two of our members

We gathered on Sunday 25th June 2017 at the Parish of Saint Peter in Eastwood to celebrate sixty years of active membership for two distinguished members of our Council here in Southend; Brother Noel and Brother Brian.

Mass was concelebrated by Members of Honour Father Michael with our Chaplain Father Jeff, and Deacon Richard, and our Provincial Grand Knight Brother George and his wife were also in attendance with a large gathering of Brothers and their families to make this a wonderful celebration. At the end of Mass, both Noel and Brian were presented each with a certificate of thanks and recognition signed by our Supreme Knight Brother Charlie having already been presented with their Golden Jubilarian awards ten years earlier. Both gentleman are active members quietly supporting everything we do not just at our events, but in their own parishes and in the community too.

Brian (left) with Noel (right)

Also, for the first time in many years, the tradition of giving a religious statue to immediate sons and daughters of members who had recently had their First Holy Communions' took place with a blessing from Father Jeff to three children at the end of Mass too.

Afterwards, we headed for lunch at a Toby Carvery and took over a large section of the seating when we sat down for a fun social gathering and a feast to close the days' festivities.

Here is an extract of the speech delivered by our Grand Knight and Chairman Liam that was read to parishioners in recognition of the dedication of the two diamond jubilarians:-

Brother Noel Browne joined the Knights on 6^th January 1957. Noel spent countless years with Barking Council serving tirelessly as Treasurer for many, many, years, as well as Warden and Chancellor. For a two-year period Noel also served Province as auditor… Although only having transferred to Southend Council a few years ago he instantly became a valued member of the team bringing warmth, kindness and wisdom to debate, always willing to get stuck in and assist. We are truly blessed and thank Noel for his remarkable contribution now, and during the past 60 years.

And now, last but by no means forgotten. Brother Brian Dillon… In truth it would be almost impossible to forget Brother Brian, for all the right reasons of course, diminutive in stature but a giant amongst Knights. Brother Brian joined the Knights on 7^th April 1957, the son of a Knight, Brother Brian has held most official positions within council, including being Grand Knight, just like his father before him and his son since – However, Brian went on to serve province for many years, achieving the position of Provincial Grand Knight. I believe Brian thinks I’m joking when I call him the Oracle, but I’m deadly serious, what Brian doesn’t know about the Knights isn’t worth knowing. He has been an inspirational figure to me and I know many other Knights over the years. Brian is quick to praise and slow to criticise and patient to a fault with those who are willing to work hard and invest time. Our Council is the richer for having Brian around, I’m the richer for his words of wisdom and I’m sure many others would say the same. 

Introducing Some of Our Past Members: John Young RIP

In a series of short posts, we aim to introduce to you some of our former members who are no longer with us, and by sharing some of our past, it can be recorded for the future; our future:

Obituary for Brother John Young, Past Grand Knight of Council 192 (Southend-on-Sea) who died 15th October 2010 aged 78

The Eulogy read at John's Funeral Mass on Monday 25th October 2010 at Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Joseph Church, Leigh-on-Sea, told us a great deal about John's life before he moved to this area in 1973 together with wife Anne and children Elizabeth, Katherine, Bernadette and Martin. John was the eldest of seven children. He and eldest sister, Irene (RIP), and their mother lived with family in Preston, their home town. Then began John's long lasting support of Preston North End Football Club. The family remained there during the war years then returned to Hornchurch in Essex where the rest of the family were born. John joined the Knights of Saint Columba at Romford in 1957 after serving in the Squires (the then junior branch of the KSC) and rose to the Office of "Master of the Squires". On the very same day of joining at Romford was Brother Brian Dillon with the registration number of 57/687 and John stood next in line with the registration number of 57/688. John's National Service was served in the Army, including time in Egypt and Cyprus. Following his return to Hornchurch, he met Anne Dunne at a Parish Social and they were married in 1963. John had commenced his studies as a draughtsman and continually sought to improve and eventually qualified as a Structured Engineer. He and Anne settled in Romford where their children were born. They moved to Leigh-on-Sea in 1973 where John became a member of the local Knights (Southend-on-Sea 192). The family enjoyed many camping holidays both in the U.K. and on the continent, giving John the opportunity to improve his French and developing his interest in other languages. He later took German lessons at night school in the 70's and obtaining an A level in German in his sixties. Family history became a special interest including researching the life of his grandfather who was awarded the V.C. (Victoria Cross) in the First World War.

During April 1994, Southend member Brother Gordon Barrett - then Provincial Grand Knight (Chairman), was a guest at a reception given by the Mayor of Preston for another member of Southend 192 who was on a sponsored walk from Lands End to John O Groats. During the visit to Preston, the Mayor had organised a visit to the local museum. Whilst enjoying the tour of the museum, Gordon noticed an exhibit outlining an award of the Victoria Cross to a soldier of the First World War by the name of ‘Young’ who saved the life of a wounded British Officer. On relating this to the then Grand Knight of 192, Brother John Young, he replied, “yes I know, he was my grandfather”. How co-incidental.

John was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish including driving the Parish Minibus taking the elderly to Mass.

He served in the Knights as Grand Knight on three occasions and was awarded the Order's Meritorious Service Medal and Golden Jubilee Award on completing fifty years unbroken membership. There can be no better tribute to John's life than this quotation from the Eulogy:-

"When we think of John we cannot help but appreciate his many qualities, his steadfast faith, gentleness and humility, and his many sacrifices for his family. John was a family man and loved his wife, children and grandchildren.... he was a true gentleman in his dealing with people in every aspect of his life. We will all miss him."

With acknowledgements and thanks to John's daughter, Mrs Kathleen Crowe, the author of the Eulogy for the above quotation and the earlier family history.

The theme of the Admission Service for new members of the Knights of Saint Columba is service to The Cross and Holy Mother Church, and Brother John often reminded us of the logo displayed on that occasion "Tempus Fugit, Memento Mori", appropriate to this obituary.