Peter Glover, MBE
A Hampshire Freemason who was awarded an MBE has revealed that he assumed the email was a joke – and ignored it.
Peter Glover only realised he had been favoured by the Queen when an official from the honours’ committee called and asked if he’d considered accepting.
The ambulance technician, who belongs to Aldershot Camp Lodge, works his shifts at weekends and evenings and teaches the use of CPR and life-saving skills.
He also played a key role in the installation of public defibrillators and was awarded the MBE for service to the NHS, community resuscitation and the wider community.
He said: “I honestly thought it was a wind-up. Because of Covid they didn’t send out the usual letters in November, but sent emails instead.
“Only when the gentleman from the honours’ committee rang me and asked me about it did I realise it was genuine.
“I dug out the email and reading it out to my daughter was a very special moment.
“I was also pleased with the smiles it put on the faces of my family, friends and colleagues.
“When I was growing up in Birkenhead I got into trouble and came to the attention of the police.
“But I was lucky because one bobby called Mike Ring took me under his wing and became like a father to me.
“Only when I joined Aldershot Camp Lodge did I realise he was a Freemason too.
“Doing what I do for the South East Coast Ambulance Service means I’m being paid to be a Mason; to apply generosity and kindness.
“I’m living the Masonic dream by helping others, solving their problems and practising brotherly love.
“When I get to Buckingham Palace I’ll be taking Mike with me as one of my guests.”
Aldershot Camp Lodge is celebrating its 150th anniversary and has had three Victoria Cross winners over the years.
Jon Whitaker, the head of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Freemasons, is a long-standing St John Ambulance volunteer, and said: “It’s tremendous for Peter.
“He is extremely well known for his astonishing commitment to the ambulance service for more than 20 years.
“It’s great that all his efforts, which go way beyond what’s expected, has been acknowledged.
“As Freemasons we have a responsibility to our communities and Peter is the embodiment of that.
“Our frontline health workers have really stepped up during this pandemic and I’m proud to say they include many Freemasons.
“Our lodges too have been helping out in any way they can and will continue to do so.”
Mike Ring, mentor and ‘father’ of Peter Glover, MBE
Editor’s note:
There are around 9,000 Freemasons in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and over 250 Lodges. Although Freemasonry has been an open and transparent organisation for some time, there are still many misconceptions. Essentially, Freemasonry is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values based on integrity, kindness, honesty and fairness. It is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations.
For further information please contact:
Provincial and masonic information: Provincial Marketing Officer, Roger Maber, email: roger@guessens.com tel: 07802605499