M. Ex. Comp. John Leyshon became a member of Grand Chapter in 2006 as Grand Principal Sojourner and was installed as Grand First Principal in May 2009.

He was born in 1943 in Bridgend, Glamorganshire, Wales, and was brought up in Bath, Somerset, England.

After completing High School, John attended the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Biochemistry. It was while he worked for the British Ministry of Agriculture near Aberystwyth as a soils analyst that he met and married his wife, Myra, a librarian in the National Library of Wales.

In 1970 John and Myra emigrated to Canada, initially to Guelph, Ontario, where John completed a Masters Degree in Soil Science and Myra worked in the University library; and then to Swift Current, Saskatchewan where John was employed by Agriculture Canada as a scientist working on soil fertility and forage agronomy. He is the author or co-author of 25 scientific papers and several hundred conference, symposia, and miscellaneous publications.

Upon arrival in Swift Current, Myra took up employment with the Chinook Regional Library as Deputy Director, a position she held until she retired in December, 2008.

During his employment with Agriculture Canada, John spent some time working in administrative roles in Regina and Winnipeg, necessitating much commuting, so finally, in 1998, he took an early retirement and left government service, returning to rejoin his family in Swift Current. John now runs his own business as a computer consultant, mainly dealing with hardware and software problems within the library system.

John and Myra have two children: David (33), a professional actor whose credits include appearances at the Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Stratford Shakespeare Theatre, Ontario; and Catherine (28), a pharmacist in the Tom Baker Cancer Clinic, Calgary.

M. Ex. Comp. John was initiated into Masonry by Swift Current Lodge #26 in October, 1983 and received his Master Mason Degree in January, 1984. He was Master of the Lodge in 2001-02, Lodge Secretary from 2003-2009, was a Grand Steward twice, and District Deputy Grand Master in 2007-08.

M.Ex.Comp. John became a member of Unity Chapter #10, Royal Arch Masons of Saskatchewan, in November, 1988 and received his Royal Arch Degree in April 1989. He served his Chapter as First Principal (Z) in 2002 and 2003. He became a member of Grand Chapter in 2006 as Grand Principal Sojourner and was installed as Grand First Principal in May 2009.

M.Ex.Comp. John is also a member of many concordant bodies and has held a major office in most of them. He is a Past Thrice Illustrious Master, Royal and Select Masters of Western Canada (Cryptic Rite); Past Commander Noah, Royal Ark Mariners of Western Canada; Past Preceptor and Past Provincial Prior, Sovereign Great Priory of Canada (Knights Templar); Past Pre-Eminent Governor, York Rite Sovereign College; High Priest, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests; Excellent Treasurer of the Saskatchewan Order of the High Priesthood; Past Worthy Master of the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon; Past Sovereign Master, Allied Masonic Degrees; Supreme Ruler, Order of the Secret Monitor, 1st Ancient, Societas Rosicruciana; and member of the Red Cross of Constantine and the Knights of the York Cross of Honour. In Scottish Rite he is a Past Thrice Puissant Grand Master and is presently Secretary/Recorder of the Valley of Moose Jaw.

Finally, M.Ex.Comp. John does have a life outside Masonry. He is a member of, and Past President of the Swift Current Kiwanis Club. He is presently President of the Swift Current Branch of the Federal Retirees Association. He is also a soccer referee, working now as a Provincial Instructor and as a Provincial Assessor to pass on his knowledge and experience to a younger generation of referees at Provincial, Inter-Provincial, and National soccer tournaments.