The funeral of John Underdown was held at Slough Crematorium on Tuesday, 14th December, 2004 at 12.30.

The funeral was very well attended with every possible seat and standing place taken. As well as family and friends members of the Old Wellingtonian, Herschel, and other Lodges were present at what was a solemn, moving, and Masonic celebration of John’s life.

After the opening hymn, “Praise my Soul the King of Heaven”, John’s son-in-law Robert Males gave an excellent eulogy. This was followed by his grandchildren Mikala and Liam who read a poem entitled simply “to Grandad”. Clearly distraught by the passing of their grandfather they read clearly but tearfully, and in turn brought tears to the eyes of many of those present. The Masonic closing ode was sung, and the priest ended with a solemn prayer in which he took as his central theme the immortal mansions of the Grand Lodge above.

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W. Bro Thomas Hawley and his Officers performed a first degree initiation ceremony in fine form.

The Lodge celebrated W. Bro. John Underdown’s 50th anniversary in Freemasonry. Grand Lodge provided a Long Service certificate to commemorate this event.

Members of the Lodge presented W.Bro. John with a rose bowl to mark this special milestone. In his absence on the day this was formally presented at the Herschel Lodge No. 1894 in the Province of Buckinghamshire on a day in which W.Bro. John was installed into the chair of King Solomon, the third generation of Underdowns to do so.

The engraving reads:

Old Wellingtonian Lodge 3404

Presented to

W. Bro. John W Underdown

Grand Officer

50 Years Meritorious Service

1954 – 2004+

W. Bro. Geoffrey Baber addressed the Lodge highlighting the exceptional service W.Bro. John had performed to Freemasonry and especially the Old Wellingtonian Lodge. This was further added to by VW. Bro. Jervis Kay QC