Here’s a Beauchamp Lodge Member Profile from Bob King.
Our team has asked him a set of routine questions that
will provide you with a brief insight into his career and
journey into Freemasonry.
We hope you find it of interest.

If you are interested in joining our Military/Civilian Services Lodge simply message us using the form provided on the contact us page.

What is your name?

Robert King (Bob)

Bob which industry did you serve?

Construction

Bob where do you serve?

I worked throughout the United Kingdom

Bob's career timespan

From: 1963 To: 2014

Bob tell us about your career and journey

I served an apprenticeship as a Heating Engineer working for a Large Multi-Service Company. When I completed my 5 years I concentrated on Project Management rather than engineering. During my career I became Operations/Divisional Director first within the Balfour Beatty Group and latterly Tarmac (later Carillion).

For the last 10 years of my career I worked for myself as a Consultant Project Manager engaged in all aspects of the Building Industry. Also during that time I was Chairman of the London Branch of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association and sat on the Main Council.

I was not very acedemic at school, you can ask Peter Sawyer, the current West Kent Provincial Treasurer, who was in my class but he will also confirm that I excelled at sport, in my last year I was the Cross Country Champion, 100 yards, 200 yards, half mile and one mile champion, all before I lost my figure.

I also played for the school cricket team.

But my first love was football and I was pretty good at it. I was Captain of the school team, we played in the district of South London and I played in the district team. Our district was affiliated to the county of Surrey and I was very proud to be Captain of the County Team, one match was against Kent who were captained by Billy Bonds.

In those days talent scouts from all the big clubs use to attend all district and county games. If you have read Harry Redknapp's autobiography you will see that he (Harry RedKnapp) actually signed as an amateur for Spurs having been spotted by Dick Walker the Tottenham Chief Scout. About 6 months after Harry the same Dick Walker persuaded my dad to let me sign for Spurs, being a life-long fan he agreed.

What position did you hold prior to retiring from your profession?

Owner

Bob how did you join Freemasonry?

I signed amateur forms for Spurs in the same year that they completed the League and Cup Double and Bill Nicholson invited me to hold both trophies before I signed on the dotted line, no mobile phones in those days, hence no camera, hence no photo.

Being the best club in the land meant that Spurs attracted the best schoolboy players and although I enjoyed my season at Tottenham I left and joined Charlton where I renewed by acquaintance with Billy Bonds and for a couple of seasons I played in the same youth team as Billy and Keith Peacock. We played in the South East Counties League and I played against lads that would go on to become senior internationals.

However as an amateur my fitness levels suffered and I decided to concentrate on my business career whilst playing senior amateur football.

It was about this time that a young friend of mine at work told me that his dad had asked him to join his masonic Lodge but he wasn't keen, I said well I will join with you if you like, his dad was Bill Middleton the Treasurer of Knole Lodge No. 1414 and the rest as they say is history.

Bob what do you get from Freemasonry?

During my masonic journey I have been an Assistant Provincial Grand Master (APGM) of West Kent Craft, a Deputy Grand Superintendent (DepGSupt) of West Kent Royal Arch and I have been awarded the prestigious Invicta Award.

I am a Grand Officer in the Mark and RAM Degrees and in the Rose Croix I have my 30th Degree.

Ritual was never really my strong point but I have enjoyed being Lodge Secretary and am now Almoner and at the last count I am a member of 24 units across the five different Orders (Craft Masonry, Royal Arch Masonry, Mark Master Masons, Royal Ark Mariners and Rosecroix).

I enjoy the ritual, ceremonies and associating with friends. I now enjoy helping and encouraging new members. For the last couple of years I have taken the office of Almoner which enables me to keep in contact with all Lodge members, which I find extremely rewarding.

Information supplied by Bob King and published with his consent