United Grand Lodge
of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons
of England


 
Province of
South Wales Eastern Division

News

Farewell to a faithful and famous Brother

With immense sadness we bring you the news that W.Bro. Hugh Johns, PPrSGW, Provincial External Communications Officer, died on 27 June 2007. He was 84 years old.

Hugh Richard Lewis Johns was born on 6th September 1922 in the South East of England. He grew up in Farnham, Surrey. Educated in the local Grammar School, like most of his generation Hugh saw active service in the Second World War. He was a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm and helped protect the Russian convoys around the Norwegian coast.

After the war, Hugh's famous 'Velvet Voice' led him first into Repertory Theatre where he met his wife-to-be Joan who was Stage Manager on an Ivor Novello show in London's West End. Tuberculosis put paid to his acting career, but, undaunted he turned to Journalism where his first job was with the News Chronicle (which was merged into the Daily Mail in 1960) as a Reporter and he was promptly dispatched to South Wales.

TWW (the ITV Channel for Wales and the West Country) was just starting up, saw the potential in Hugh and he was soon presenting weekly football reports.

Hugh was soon snapped up by the ITV network, commentating and presenting for ATV and Granada. He commentated on three World Cup Finals for ITV in 1966, 1970 and 1974. He continued as a regular commentator and sports journalist until well into his seventies.

In 2002 at a celebratory dinner in his honour, Hugh was presented with a trophy by the late and great Brian Clough on behalf of the Football Association for his services to the game.

W.Bro. Hugh was Initiated into Penarth's Services Lodge No 7139 in September 1969 and was Worshipful Master there in 1976. He was a Joining Member of Hendre Lodge No 3250 in 1979; Proscenium Lodge No 9059 in 1988; and St Mildred's Lodge No 5078 in 2006. At Proscenium Lodge W.Bro. Hugh filled the busy positions of Preceptor and Director of Ceremonies for many years up to 2005.

In Provincial Grand Lodge, W.Bro. Hugh was appointed a Past Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 2002 and for the last seven years of his life had been the Province's External Communications Officer.

Joan sadly died in November 2003 and for the past few years, Hugh had a medical condition that he knew could cause his sudden demise at any time. He bore that knowledge with a degree of nonchalance and continued as many of his activities as he possibly could. Only two days before his death, Hugh was enjoying himself at the Annual Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge in Barry.

Hugh will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him, as well as the millions who knew him only through his television work.

The funeral took place on Monday 9th July 2007. It commenced at noon at Christ Church, Heol Isaf, Radyr, Cardiff. The cortege from Hugh's home to the church - about a quarter of a mile away - was led by "Mr P's" New Orleans style Jazz Band.

The Rector, Rev. Jenny Wigley officiated at both services, and set a tone of celebration of Hugh's long and eventful life, commenting that he had overcome adversity several times, but emerged stronger on each occasion.

W.Bro. Rex W. Plowman, gave a reading. Hugh's grandson Mr Matt Johns gave a very humourous and touching account of his life with his grandfather. He wryly observed that whilst dropping Hugh's name into conversation impressed many boys of his age; it did nothing to oil the wheels in his dealings with girls! W.Bro. Wyn Calvin then spoke movingly of Hugh's approach to life and people.

Finally, Hugh's colleague and very good friend Mr Gary Newbon spoke of their times and experiences together - stretching back more than 35 years. Also in the congregation were Mr Jim Rosenthal, the ITV Sports presenter and Mr Barry Davies who auditioned for ITV at the same time as Hugh (both were successful) and later transferred to the BBC, for whom, just the day before, he had been commentating on events at Wimbledon.

The hymns at the Church were "How Great Thou Art" and "Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer". After the commendation, the congregation left the Church to the sounds of Mr P's Jazz Band, and travelled the 4 miles or so to the Wenallt Chapel of the Cardiff Crematorium at Thornhill; escorted by the two motorcycle officers of South Wales Police who were present throughout the proceedings.

The Rev. Wigley invited W.Bro. Wyn Calvin to reprise his eulogy for the benefit of those not present at the Church and then proceeded to the committal. The hymn at the Crematorium was "Love  Divine".

The day was a bitter-sweet one; happiness stemmed from the memories that had been evoked but it was blended with the sad knowledge that no more would we have the pleasure of the company of this father; grandfather; friend; neighbour; Brother and hero.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

by Martyn Daley
9 Jul 2007

An earlier article on Hugh can be found HERE

A new Wikipedia entry for Hugh can be found HERE

The Times' Obituary can be found HERE

The Daily Telegraph's Obituary can be found HERE

The Independent's Obituary can be found HERE