We would like you all to join us in wishing Bro. Joseph Cummings Dixon a very happy (belated) 107th birthday!!!!
Joseph was born on 1st October 1913 and was initiated into the Craft on 13th May 1958, joining Fortitude Lodge No.4017, which was sadly erased in 2016. Joseph remained a member of the Lodge for a staggering 58 years.
Joseph was one of three brothers and left school at the tender age of 14, starting work full time in a shop on 40p a week. He later found work as a wagon boy for Alfred Bells Removal Company, being paid 62.5p a week. Joseph married Lydia in 1937 and has 2 sons, 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. In 1938 he joined the Newcastle City Police Fire Brigade where his duties included driving the fire engines, the ambulances and ferrying prisoners to Durham Jail.
In 1943 Joseph enlisted into the RAF and became a fire engineer completing 28 missions over Germany. He spent D Day dropping silver strips over the Channel to block the German radar. After the war, Joseph returned to the fire brigade, finally retiring in 1964, when he became a chauffeur to the Chairman of Pyrotenax.
Joseph joined Fortitude Lodge in 1958, however was unable to pursue a normal Masonic career due to his horrendous shifts at work. At that time the lodge subscriptions were £6 a year!! The Province wishes Joseph a very happy and healthy birthday with many more to come.
Many thanks to W.Bros Bob Dixon and Reece Valentine for this article. If you have a story, event or news item you would like to have published on the Provincial website, please get in touch with our Provincial Communications Team at news@northumberlandmasons.org.uk