Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall

Maurice Kimber was born on September 26, 1943, in Par, where his father worked at Par Docks building motor torpedo boats. The family returned to Perranporth when Maurice was one year old.

As a child, Maurice spent countless hours riding steam trains with his uncle, a train driver. He attended Perranporth Junior School, later moving on to Goonhavern and briefly Penwethers. He went on to complete a five-year apprenticeship in the building trade under his father, earning both Craft and Advanced City & Guilds qualifications. Maurice eventually took over the family business, Kimber & Son, when his father retired due to ill health.

Deeply involved in local life, Maurice was a member of the Perranporth Surf Life Saving Club—remarkably taking part in rescues and rowing the surf boat despite not being able to swim. He maintained the club's equipment and also contributed to the local rugby club, helping develop the new clubhouse. Maurice was also a champion darts player, winning the Cornwall County Singles title and helping his team reach the finals of the British Championships. His father often joked that Maurice was on first-name terms with every landlord in Cornwall.

Maurice’s Freemasonry journey began with a dramatic twist. On the day of his initiation, a car accident at Blowing House Corner left his vehicle overturned in a hedge. Undeterred, he flagged down a car of formally dressed passengers, introduced himself, and sent word to his proposer—his father—that he would be there "dreckly." He arrived an hour later, and the initiation went ahead as planned.

He advanced through the Degrees quickly, becoming a Master Mason on November 27, 1975. Maurice served as Worshipful Master in 1988, arriving late once again, though this time due to laying concrete at Perran Sands. In 1995, he was honoured with the Provincial rank of PPGStdB and joined the Royal Cornubian Royal Arch Chapter in 1979.

Maurice also served twice as President of the Cornish branch of the National Federation of Builders, in 1985 and 1999. His leadership roles took him to meetings with MPs, sessions at County Hall, and important discussions in London and Bristol, where he passionately represented the building industry.

A highlight of his Masonic service came during his year as Worshipful Master, when he led the extension of the Lodge dining room. As a builder, he took pride in sourcing materials and labour at cost, completing the project under budget—a lasting legacy of his commitment and craftsmanship.