E.Comp Anthony Raymond Moyle Celebrates 50 Years in The Royal Arch

Tony’s Masonic career began on the 12^th February 1973 when he was Initiated into the Druids’ Lodge of Love and Liberality Lodge No. 589.

Tony was Passed on the 9^th April 1973 and raised on the 11^th June 1973. Tony very soon took a keen interest in the working of the Lodge and joined the Stewards List in March 1976 an office he held for 4 years. He was invested as Assistant Secretary in 1980 and the following year Inner Guard. He became Junior Warden in March 1982, Senior Warden the following year. On the 12^th March 1984 he was Installed into the Chair of King Solomon as Worshipful Master. Tony has also held the office of Charity Steward in 2002 for 5 years.

His Masonic Career further developed when he was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Standard Bearer in 1991 and on the 1^st April 1997 to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.

Tony’s Masonic Career has not been confined to the Craft as he was Exalted into the Rose of Sharon Chapter No. 1006 on the 4^{th of} June 1974. He soon joined the officer’s list and became the Most Excellent Zerubbabel on the 1^st of December 1988. The following year he again took the chair of Joshua. He was appointed Scribe Ezra in December 2002 an office he held for 3 years. He has also held the office of Assistant Director of Ceremonies on four occasions, Second Assistant Sojourner, Principal Sojourner and Scribe Nehemiah since leaving the chair. He became a Joining Member of the Cornish First Principal Chapter No. 3324 on the 13^th April 1991. He took the chair of Joshua in March 1998 and became their Most Excellent Zerubbabel on the 30^th March 2005. He was promoted to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah on the 2^nd October 1999.

Tony is also a member of the Rose Croix and was perfected into the Cornwall Chapter No. 61 on 24^th February1979. He progressed through the offices and was enthroned as the Most Wise Sovereign in February 1986. He then received promotion to the 30th degree on 14^th July 1987. He then received a further promotion to the 31st degree on 26^th April 1994 and another to the 32nd degree on 1^st July 1997. Tony took on the office of Recorder in the Chapter from 1990 to 1994.

The Helston Chapter No.1027 was consecrated on 15th.October 1991 and to help build a new young chapter Tony joined it as a founder member and recorder and again in 2012 he joined the new Laurie Francis Chapter No.1137 on 13^th January 2012 consecrated for members of the higher degrees and again became the recorder.

Clearly over many years it can be seen that Tony has supported the Rose Croix degree in Cornwall and helped retain a very high standard of work. He is particularly thanked for his time as the District Recorder for 15 years, the right-hand man supporting two Inspector Generals in the running of the District of Cornwall.

Tony is also a member of the Mark Master Masons Degree and was Advanced into Meridian Lodge No73 on 22^nd January 1974, progressing through the offices and serving as Worshipful Master in 1982, Tony received appointment to Provincial Grand Rank in 1986 as Provincial Grand Senior Deacon, promoted in 1994 to Past Provincial Grand Junior Warden. He received appointment to Grand Rank in 1996 with the active appointment of Grand Steward. He was again promoted in Grand Lodge in 2001 to active Grand Junior Deacon. In 2010 Tony was again promoted to Past Grand Senior Deacon and in 2016 was further promoted to Past Grand Junior Overseer and became a Very Worshipful Brother.

Very Worshipful Brother Tony has served the Mark Degree well, in many Lodges usually in the role of Treasurer, of which he is renowned for having a vice like grip on the Lodge finances. Tony joined the Cornish Installed Mark Masters Lodge in 1983, serving as Worshipful Master in 2001, He also joined the Edwin Perry Morgan Lodge in 1996, serving as Worshipful Master in 2012 and is the current Treasurer and he also joined the Grand Stewards Lodge in 1996.

Tony was elevated into the Royal Ark Mariner Degree in 1974 in Boscawen Lodge No.101, in which he served as Worshipful Commander in 1984, and in which he has served over 40  years as Treasurer. Tony Joined the Cornish Installed Commanders Lodge in 1985, serving as Worshipful Commander in 1997, a founder member and scribe of the Edwin Perry Morgan Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners. Tony was appointed to Provincial Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank in 1992 and promoted to Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank in 1995.

Tony is also a member of a number of other orders including;

In the Order of the Knights Templar Tony is a member of Restormel Preceptory and St. Andrew Priory No. 90 and a Founder member of the St. John of Jerusalem Preceptory and St. Michael Priory No. 611 and holds the Grand Rank of Past Grand Registrar and is therefore a Very Eminent Knight. He is also Treasurer in the Province of Devonshire and Cornwall Provincial Priory an office he has held for the last 28 years.

He is a founder Member and Treasurer of the Grand Priory of Knights Beneficent of the Holy City of the Rectified Scottish Rite meeting at the Sedgemoor Lodge No. 8 in Bristol. He is also an Honorary Member of the Agri Libertas Lodge No. 21 meeting in Plymouth and a member and Treasurer of the Avalon Prefecture and holds the Grand Rank of Past Grand Sentinel.

In the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees of England and Wales Districts and Lodge Overseas he currently holds the office of District Grand Sword Bearer in the District of Devon and Cornwall and Worshipful Master in the Restormel Castle Council No. 85.

In the order of the Royal and Select Masters he is a member of the Camel Valley Council No. 223

In the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine he is a member of Joseph of Arimathea Conclave No. 253 and was the Most Puissant Sovereign in 2014 and holds the office of Standard Bearer Constantine and is currently their Treasurer. Tony also holds the Grand Rank of Past Grand Prefect in the Grand Imperial Conclave and was an Active Officer in 2020/2021.

During Tony’s long and very distinguished career in Freemasonry he has shown very great commitment and dedication to maintain the traditions and principals of the craft and of the various and numerous degrees he is a member of. He has made and met good friends throughout his Masonic career, which has made his experience the more enjoyable, whilst still running his Funeral Directors business and the pressures that involves.

From this magnificent record it can be seen that Tony has served Cornish Masonry and Freemasonry in general with great distinction and loyalty to duty throughout his 50 years of service. He is a great ambassador to the cause and is always willing to help and to share his expertise, which he delivers in a caring and helpful manner gaining the respect of all those he meets. Masonry, which he has always enjoyed, has been a major part of his life for many years. He is a hard act to follow and as the saying goes if you want something doing always ask a busy man.