Obituary which was read out in the Temple 27 September 2013
Bro. Victor Tudor Owen Carmichael PPAGStB (H&IOW), PPAGPurs (Surrey) 17 Aug 1920 - 10 Aug 2013
"Once a year say a prayer for me, Close your eyes and remember me".
Vic Carmichael was born in Ardersier, Inverness-shire on 17 August 1920, the son of a Seaforth Highlander. He was very proud of his heritage and the Scottish Presbyterian military background he grew up in would have a profound effect on his life.
Enlisting in the army, Vic joined the Seaforth Highlanders at their Depot in Fort George, Inverness-shire in March 1935. On completion of his basic training, Vic served with the battalion Pipes and Drums as a boy soldier, taking part in Aldershot Command Searchlight Tattoo.
Vic joined 1st Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders where he saw active service in Egypt, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Penang Malaysia and India. The battalion formed part of the 23rd Indian Division, who's emblem was a red cockerel, and were known as the 'fighting cocks' due to their tenacity in fighting the Japanese in Burma. It was also in India that Vic undertook parachute training.
During the latter months of 1943, Vic contracted malaria and after a period of recuperation in UK he was seconded to the Royal Military Police before transferring to the Royal Army Service Corps. Further deployments ensued and Vic's active service extended to include Germany, Italy and Northern Yugoslavia before returning to UK for de-mob in 1947.
Vic joined the rapidly expanding Royal Air Force in 1947 and went on to see further service in Singapore and Libya before finally leaving military life in 1968. It was at this time that Vic, with his young family, became a '£10 Pom' emigrating to Perth, Western Australia before finally deciding that 'home was where the heart was'. He returned to UK by way of a 'world' cruise which included the Panama Canal.
A short stint as a postman in Fort William, Scotland preceded a final career with the MOD Police, based first in Anwick then at the Royal Aircraft Establishment having finally settled in Cove, Farnborough with his family.
As a Freemason, Vic was Initiated into Lodge St. Ninian No. 66, The Grand Lodge of Scotland on 17 October 1957. Bro. Vic was subsequently Passed on 21 November 1957 and Raised on 16 January, 1958 in the same Lodge.
Bro. Vic became a joining member of Pegasus Forces Lodge No. 9393, newly consecrated in 1990 and served as Tyler of the Lodge for many years. He also became a joining member of Camberley Lodge No. 5591 on 5th February 1991 and served as Tyler of the Lodge for many years.
On 17th October 2007 Bro. Vic Carmichael PPAGStB (H&IOW) PPAGPurs (Surrey), celebrated 50 years as a Freemason.
Bro. Vic enjoyed the comradeship, support and social aspects of freemasonry which he attended to in UK, Singapore, Tobruk and even on his travels on the Fred Olson cruise ships. Bro. Vic was very proud to have been a Master Mason for 55 years at the time of his passing.
Bro. Victor Tudor Owen Carmichael PPAGStB, PPAGPurs was a member of the Burma Star Association, Seaforth Highlander Association and Parachute Regiment Association. He was also a regular member of the congregation at St Andrew's Garrison Church, Aldershot.
