Sportsmen
Sir Donald Bradman
This stamp - depicting a living Austrian for the first time - depicts perhaps one of the greatest cricketers of all times. On his first tour of England in 1930 he scored 309 not out during a one day test match played in Leeds.
He was initiated in Lodge Tarbolton No. 12 on 16th November, 1929. This Lodge is now ‘James Cook Lodge No. 68, New South Wales. It would appear that Freemasonry was not for him as he never progressed beyond the First Degree and resigned from the Craft in 1934. From all accounts he was somewhat scathing about Freemasonry in general.
Ned Hanlan
Canadian sportsman who, in 1873, was Amateur Champion Oarsman of Toronto. Turning professional in 1876, when he defeated all competitors in the Philadelphia races. Later that year he became Champion of Canada, Champion of America 1878, Champion of the British Empire in 1879, and Champion of the World between 1880 and 1884.
He was initiated on 9th January, 1878, in King Solomon’s Lodge No. 22 in Toronto, passed on 22nd July, 1879, and raised 16 years later on 14th February, 1895.
Passed to the G.L.A. On 4th January, 1908.
Joseph (Joey) Dunlop
Joey Dunlop made his début at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy motor cycle races in 1976 and since that date recorded many more victories. In his spare time he is (or was) a publican.
He was initiated in Lodge No. 17 of the Irish Constitution on 3rd February 1989, and passed on 3rd March Later that year while ‘doing a wee bit of racing’ at Brands Hatch he was involved in a bad crash which left him unable to bend his knees and, as a result, unable to kneel. On his own insistence he waited until 17th November 1989, to be raised.