A SPECIAL commemorative bench was unveiled at the weekend at Lazaretto Point for a man known simply as ‘Mr Sandbank’.
Following Sunday’s afternoon remembrance service a brief ceremony was held where a specially designed commemorative bench was officially unveiled for well known Sandbank resident Robert Diamond.
The bench, purchased by family, friends and the local community, was made by Finlay Currie, of George H Currie Blacksmiths, and commissioned by Scenic Sandbank.
Standing in front of a guard of honour by Army Cadets, (Dunoon ACF), the Right Worshipful Master (RWM) Kevin Arthur, of Lodge St. Munn Ardnadam No. 496 gave a speech honouring Mr Diamond.
“He was a cornerstone of the Sandbank community and a cornerstone of freemasonry in Cowal and the Provence of Argyll and beyond” Kevin said.
Adding: “He joined Lodge St Munn Ardnadam No 496 in 1972 and throughout his 50 year membership he was always an ever present face at every meeting. He was the first to arrive and the last to leave and spent time in every office in the Lodge and of course he was his master.
He was the honorary member of many lodges and he would do anything he could to help promote the craft he was honoured with the grand rank membership of the grand lodge of Scotland for his hard work, dedication and love of freemasonry. He loved the lodge and would do anything he could to help those who needed it.
He was known all over the place no matter where he went, from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Tiree and Oban everyone new wee Bobby Diamond. He might not have been the biggest man in stature but in freemasonry terms he towered higher than most. As a lodge we miss him terribly and I know the people of Sandbank and Dunoon do as well. It feels strange that he’s not with us today however he is in spirit and having a remembrance day bench in his honour at a place where he was proud to lay a wreath at each year is comfort to his family and the members of the lodge
As we remember those who died protecting our country, home and abroad, we remember brother Robert Diamond a man, a mason and a brother to us all.”
