Eminent Knight Robert Charlton, P.Prov.2nd Const.
31 August 1929 – 16 November 2015
It is with deep sadness that the Priory of Northumberland learned of the sad passing of E. Kt. Robert Charlton.
Bro Charlton was initiated into Freemasonry in Vindobala Lodge No 5480 in October 1957.
He later changed Lodge, becoming a joining member of Earsdon Lodge No 6219 in 1997. Two years after joining, he took the Chair of Earsdon Lodge, afterwards becoming the Lodge Almoner for more than a decade.
He was also a Founder member of Per Diem Lodge No 9638 in 1997, serving as Master in 2000, though the Lodge was subsequently erased.
In Provincial Grand Lodge he was first appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Junior Grand Deacon in 2007 before promotion to Past Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 2013. In the Royal Arch he was exalted into Rowlandson Chapter No 3360 in the Province of Durham, but later became a joining member of Heaton Chapter No 2723, of which he was First Principal in 2002, and a Founder of Per Diem Chapter No 9638 in March 1997.
In the Provincial Grand Chapter of Northumberland he was appointed to the rank of Past Provincial Assistant Grand Sojourner in 2007 before promotion to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 2013.
He joined the Templar Order in 1999 when he was installed in Northanhymbre Preceptory No 590. He later joined Lindisfarne Preceptory No 226 and maintained membership of both Preceptories until his death.
He acted as Preceptor of Lindisfarne in 2004 and in consequence was appointed as Past Provincial Warden of Regalia before promotion to Past Provincial Second Constable in 2013.
In other Orders he held Grand rank as Past Grand Prefect in the Red Cross of Constantine, and District rank as Past District Grand Junior Warden in the Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees.
A keen and committed Freemason, E Kt Charlton will be sorely missed by his Brethren and the Knights of his respective Preceptories.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior