Archie Renton, the Oldest Mason?
Archie Renton PM of Lodge St Serf No 327 came into this world on 21st October 1884, born number seven of seven children, three daughters and four sons. His father being a third generation Blacksmith, his mother a ladies Dressmaker. He left school at the age of thirteen to serve his apprenticeship as a Farrier with his father at Edenside, near St Andrews.
The family moved to Kinross in 1905, where they established their family business as General Engineers and Blacksmiths where Archie worked until the grand old age of 80 years when he finally retired. The only time he spent away from home was as a Sergeant Farrier with the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry during the First World War, when he served in Gallipoli and the Dardanelles. He also fought on the Belgian coast and Ypres, a place he described as “an awful place”.
On his return to Kinross after the war where he went into partnership with his dad. He then had to learn General Engineering as there was little or no work for a Farrier. Farming had become mechanised during his absence resulting in far fewer horses being used. He found work in the wool mills, doing maintenance work in the mills which had been established during his absence. Archie never had a holiday, his only holiday “Was in the First World War”.
He joined Lodge St Serf No327 in January 1910, which met at that time in the Upper Town Hall, High Street, Kinross. He became Director of Ceremonies the same year. In 1923 he became Right Worshipful Master of Lodge St Serf No 327. During that time he led the first combined Church Parade, which involved a total of six Lodges. Archie was RWM again in the years 1933,1934 and 1935. He held Honorary Rank of Jeweller in the Grand Lodge of Scotland and had Diplomas from both Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Fife and Kinross. His other hobby was Bowling, a hobby he had taken up in 1920 and carried on until 1982 when he finally gave it up.
To celebrate his Centenary year, a Past Masters Degree was held in the Masonic Hall, Muirs, Kinross on Saturday 27th October 1984. Archie took the Chair that night and Passed two Brethren of Lodge St Serf No 327, namely Bro. Alastair Robertson and Bro. William Hendry to the Degree of Fellow Craft. It truly was a night to remember with some 178 Masons signing the Tyle. The walls of the Lodge were running with condensation due to the vast number of bodies present. Lodge Piper Bro. A Murphy, Pipe Major with Kinross and District Pipe Band, Piped the Office-Bearers into the Lodge Room to a tumultuous welcome.
Following the Degree, a Celebration Dinner followed. The Ladies Committee of the Lodge prepared and served an excellent meal which was enjoyed by all. Among the guests that evening was the one and only Bro. Jimmy Shand of Lodge King Robert de Bruce No 304 who entertained the company in traditional style. Auld Erchie was “Fair Tain Oan”. Archie was presented with a beautiful Caithness Glass Chrystal Decanter from Lodge St Serf No 327 with his likeness engraved on the side. The Toast to Brother Renton was proposed by Brother Hector Smith PM of Lodge St Serf No 327 in due and ancient form. Brother Renton duly replied in due and ancient form. Lodge Office-Bearers that year were-Right Worshipful Master-Bro. Alex Mclean. Immediate Past Master-Bro. David Colliar. Depute Master-Bro. Arthur M Wardrope. Substitute Master-Bro. Jim McGregor. Worshipful Senior Warden-Bro. Alex Cumming. Worshipful Junior Warden-Bro. Peter Muir. Secretary-Bro. Campbell G Thomson. Treasurer-Bro. William Curr. Almoner-Bro. William J Davidson PM. Chaplain-Bro. Andrew Smith PM. Senior Deacon-Bro. John Whyte. Junior Deacon-Vacant. Director of Ceremonies-Bro. Peter Cumming PM. Bible Bearer-Bro. William B Sneddon. Jeweller-Bro. Ian Gourdie. Sword Bearer-Bro. William Crawford. Director of Music-Bro. Robert Bellinger. President of Stewards-Bro. Alex Braid. Junior Steward-Bro. Colin Braid. Inner Guard-Bro. Robert Elliot and Tyler-Bro. David Paul.
© 2007 - Lodge St. Serf 327