Eminent Knight James Russell Armstrong, P.Gt.Her.
The Provincial Priory of Northumberland suffered the loss of one of its longest serving and most respected members after the death of E Kt James Russell Armstrong, P.Gt.Herald, in December 2020.
Russell was initiated into Freemasonry in 1964, in Morecambe Lodge No 1561 in the Province of West Lancashire.
Despite moving to Northumberland in the 1970’s, he remained a subscribing member of his mother Lodge until being elected to Honorary membership in 2016.
He was exalted into Morecambe Royal Arch Chapter No 1561 in 1971 but after moving to the north east he joined Hexham Priory Lodge No 6318 and Albert Edward Chapter No 1557.
His talent as a mason was immediately evident, and in 1989 he was appointed as Acting Provincial Senior Grand Warden for Northumberland.
Appointment in Grand Lodge followed in 1995, to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies. As a professional accountant, he served for many years as the Provincial Treasurer of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northumberland.
In the Templar Order he was installed a Knight in St Wilfred of Hexham Preceptory No 461 in 1981, subsequently serving as Eminent Preceptor in 1990.
He was, in addition, a Founder member of the Preceptory of Tutelage No 633 in 2002, and in consequence of his service he was the Provincial First Constable before appointment to Past Great Aide-de-Camp in 2002 and later promotion to Past Great Herald in 2011. A member of several other masonic Orders, he was a Grand Officer in most – Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons; Past Grand High Chancellor in the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine; Past Grand Lecturer in the Order of Royal and Select Masters; Past Grand Standard Bearer in the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees and a holder of the 30th Degree in the Ancient and Accepted Rite.
His passing will be deeply regretted by all who knew him in the Province of Northumberland.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior