Fred M. Gilbough Award

The Fred M. Gilbough Plaques are awarded annually at the Awards Banquet by the Grand Commander to the Constituent Commanderies having the highest grade in the Asylum Ritual in each Templar District during the Annual Visitations and Inspections.

These, too, were awarded as Banners given to the Grand Commandery of Texas, at the Annual Conclave in Fort Worth, Texas, in April 1951, by Past Grand Commander R. B. Cowden. This award was named in memory of Sir Knight Fred M. Gilbough, who served as Grand Commander in 1901-1902.

At the Annual Conclave held in Tyler, Texas, in April 1959, the Grand Commandery voted to replace the Banners with special Bronze Plaques, emblazoned with a Cross and Crown at the top, and a bronze plate with the proper identification inscribed below, to be presented in the same manner as the Fred M. Gilbough Banners for efficiency in the Asylum Ritual. These plaques are traveling awards, retained by the winner only for the Templar Year, and are returned to the Grand Commandery for presentation again annually, per Article 341.