J.T. Hobson, PPJGW | 60 years in the Craft

John Terrence (Terry) Hobson was initiated into Hillsborough Lodge No. 5444 on 8th March 1960, having been proposed by his father, W Bro A.E. (Jack) Hobson who was himself initiated into Hillsborough Lodge in 1944. Terry was passed in the May and raised in October of 1960 making steady progress through the long ladder of offices to be installed as WM in January 1975. He was appointed as PPDeputy Grand Sword Bearer in 1984, with promotion to PPJGW in 1993. Terry had been exalted into Hillsborough Royal Arch Chapter No.5444 in March 1973, installed as Z in 1980, appointed as PPAssistant Grand Scribe E in 1987 and promoted to PPGrand Scribe N in 1995, a reflection of his commitment to Sheffield Freemasonry which, has included him holding the position of President of Sheffield Royal Arch Council.

During his time in masonry Terry realised that he had made many early connections in life, having attended Oakwood prep school alongside W Bro Venon Outram, late of Royal Brunswick, before moving on to Ecclesfield Grammar School (which the late R W Bro JK Clayton also attended)  – gaining his School Certificate and Higher School Certificate. Terry then went into the RAF on national service and then on to RAF signals working mainly on V.H.F. D/F (Radar was not in general use at that time).  Demob was delayed for 6 months owing to the start of the Korean War, but on his discharge,  Terry followed his father into the butchery business. A career he continued through to his retirement on age 71.

Terry was married in 1960 to Shirley, who sadly passed away suddenly in 2011. They have two daughters and four grand-children.​

Unfortunately for Terry, Hillsborough Lodge handed back its warrant at the end of 2019, but to allow him to continue to enjoy his freemasonry and provide an outlet for his experience he joined Royal Brunswick Lodge No. 296 which meets in Sheffield and preparations had been made for everyone to celebrate his being presented with his 60th Jubilee Certificate. As we are all too aware those celebrations had to be postponed, but the lodge does intend to honour W Bro Hobson when ‘normality’ is resumed in order that we can hear more of his adventures.
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