George Pipes 1847–1930
in Freemason regalia.

George was born in Derby and inherited his father's sawmill business,
but somewhere down the line, he moved from Derby to the Liverpool area
where he was an engineers' clerk, then to Bury, Lancs
where he was an agent for Pearl Assurance.

He was was proposed for membership of Hartington Lodge ( No 1085)
Province of Derbyshire
on 2 April 1873 aged 27
Initiated on 7 May 1873,
Passed on 4 June 1873
and Raised on 2 July 1873

George became the 12th Worshipful Master of Hartington Lodge on 6 February 1878.
He was presented for Installation by his father Wor. Bro. Samuel Pipes.
A proud moment indeed for his father.

When he came out of the Masters Chair a year later he became the Lodge Organist and also the Provincial Grand Organist.

A year later he became Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies.

From his rapid promotions he must have been a well respected Mason.

On 2 June 1928, George played Liverpool Cathedral organ, aged 81
(not sure if the above photo is Liverpool!) –
'the oldest organist in the country'!
On 24 June, George retired as organist at St James Church, Goodlad Street, Bury.

He had 6 children by his first wife Sarah Roberts
and 14 from his second marriage to Edith Lilian Winskill,
daughter of Peter Turner Winskill, the temperance reformer.

43 Macklin Street, Derby, where George lived, c 1879-1881

More photos of George >>