The Tribune

BASIL L Sands has become the first non-American to hold the prestigious Freemasonry high office of Sovereign Grand Commander and his son, Robert ‘Sandy’ Sands, has been elected to Sovereign Grand Inspector General to mark an historic achievement for the Bahamas and the Sands family.

The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas announced the historic elections at the135th Annual Session and the 45th Triennium of the United Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, Northern Jurisdiction, USA, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which took place on May 27.

Illustrious Sands, 330, was elected to serve as the 19th Sovereign Grand Commander of over 7,000 Scottish Rite Freemasons from the northern US, Barbados, Canada, Europe, the Far East and the Bahamas. Sands, a Bahamian, is the first non-American to attain this high office.

Locally, Sovereign Grand Commander Sands has been a member of Royal Eagle Lodge No.1 since September, 1959, and an Honorary Past Grand Master of Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. He started his Scottish Rite Freemasonry journey as a member and first secretary of Bahamas Consistory No.73 (now James E Morley Consistory No.73) in 1962. He was created a Grand Inspector General and Honorary member of the United Supreme Council on May 13, 1968. He was elevated to “Active” status as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General and appointed Deputy of the Orient of the Bahamas in 1979, a position he held for 25 years.

Sovereign Grand Commander Sands was elected to the third ranking office of Illustrious Grand Minister of State in 2004, and to the second ranking position of Lieutenant Grand Commander in 2006 before ascending to the rank of the19th Sovereign Grand Commander and Chief Executive Officer of the Rite.

“We are very proud indeed to have a Bahamian Prince Hall Mason, one of our own, achieve this high office,” said Hon Leslie Dean, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Prince Hall Masons in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. “Even though we have always been a part of the United Supreme Council, Bro Basil Sands Sr has not only put the Bahamas at the helm, but has put us on the map of Masonic history.

“Both Bro Basil Sands and his son, Bro Sandy Sands have had long and illustrious Prince Hall, Masonic sojourns and are very deserving of the honours which they now receive. Their labours have not been in vain.”

Illustrious Robert D L “Sandy” Sands, 330, has been a Grand Inspector General since 1988. He is the eldest son of Sovereign Grand Commander Sands and was elevated to “Active” status as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General and appointed as the Aide to the Sovereign Grand Commander. Like his father, he is a member of Royal Eagle Lodge No.1 and James E Morley Consistory No.73.

The Bahamas delegation of about 40 was present at the historic event and included Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Roscow A L Davies, 330, Deputy of the Orient of The Bahamas; Illustrious Leslie M Dean, 330, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Prince Hall Masons in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; Illustrious Sands’ three sons, SGIG Robert, SP Basil and Dr Duane Sands; Grand Inspectors General from James E Morley No.73 in Nassau and Leo Calvin Newton No.83 in Freeport as well as family and friends.