The Provincial Priors of Northumberland

Northumberland and Durham

1791 Thomas Dixon (died 1793, no successor appointed)

1850 Province constituted, but no appointment

1859 The Revd Edward Challoner OGLE

1872 William Buckle PUNSHON

1878 Charles James BANISTER

1893 The Revd Canon Henry Baker TRISTRAM, D.D.

1906 The Revd Canon John WALKER

1910 Thomas PURVIS (Sub-Prior in Charge)

1911 Col. Charles Warren NAPIER-CLAVERING, GCT

1932 Brig.Gen. Sir Herbert Conyers SURTEES, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., M.V.O.

1933 Robert Wilkin Ernest DIXON, GCT

1959 George Watson BOURN

Northumberland

1975 Province constituted

1975 Harold Frederick Lockwood MAVITY, KCT

1989 John Sherwood STEPHENSON

1992 Ewan David DAWES, KCT

2004 Roderick Alan HUME, KCT

northumberland
Thomas Dixon, Acting Grand Master for England North District

1791 - 1792

The exact date of the arrival of the Templar Order in England is unknown, but it was firmly established in Antient Lodges in England by 1780 - the year that the Baldwyn Knights of Bristol made an attempt to establish themselves as a Sovereign Body controlling all Encampments in the country. They found little support and the attempt failed.

Ten years later they petitioned Thomas Dunckerley to consolidate the Order with himself as Grand Master. This was more successful due to support for the Baldwyn Encampment from other Encampments in London, Bath, the 1st Regiment of Dragoon Guards, York, Dorchester, Bideford and Colchester (though this latter, ultimately, did not take a Grand Conclave Warrant).

As a result, the first Grand Conclave was opened on 24th June 1791, the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist.

One of Dunckerley's first acts was to appoint Thomas Dixon, of the 1st Dragoon Guards, as his "Acting Grand Master for the North District of England, comprehending the Counties of York, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland".

At this time, the only Encampment in the area with a Templar Warrant was the Antient York of Redemption, meeting in York, that had been formed by Dixon whilst his Regiment was stationed there.

Sadly, the "Province" had a short life because Dixon died in 1792. Dunckerley asked the Antient York knights to nominate a successor for their county but the other counties, having lost their "Provincial" status, became unattached.

This does not imply that Templar masonry was no longer practiced within their boundaries. The Order had been, and continued to be, worked in several Craft Lodges - notably the Athol Lodge, No. 24, in Newcastle upon Tyne (who's Warrant was dated 1805, though they received a Centenary Warrant in 1870, implying a far longer existence); the Lodge of Industry, No. 48, meeting in Swalwell; the Union Lodge in Gateshead (erased in 1827); and in St. John's Lodge, No. 80, in Sunderland.

Sir Knight Revd Edward Challoner OGLE

Eminent Provincial Grand Commander

1859 - 1871

Born 7th August 1798 in Kirkley Hall, Northumberland

Prebendary of Salisbury Cathedral

CRAFT

Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland 1848 - 1869

CHAPTER

Grand Superintendent of Northumberland 1854 - 1867

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Installed a Knight Templar in Royal Kent Encampment, No. 44, on 26th March 1852

1853 admitted to the Rose Croix and Ne Plus Ultra within the Encampment

1854 Prelate of the Encampment

Date of installation as Eminent Commander and admission to the Malta Degree unknown. Nothing Minuted in Royal Kent Minutes, so presumably done elsewhere.

Eminent Provincial Grand Commander.

Installed 11th November 1859 at Freemason's Hall, Bell's Court, Newgate Street, Newcastle by VE Kt John Barker, First Grand Captain and Eminent Commander of Royal Kent Encampment in 1857.

Died on the 7th November 1869 at the age of 71 years.

Sir Knight William Buckle PUNSHON

1872 - 1877

Punshon was born in 1791, the illegitimate son of Nathaniel Punshon of Killingworth, who was for many years the High Sheriff of the town.

Originally taking the name "William Buckle", following Nathaniel's death in January 1818 he sought to use the Punshon family name in addition to his own forename and surname.

William petitioned His Majesty the King for permission to use the name and arms of the Punshon family and this was granted by Royal Warrant on 27th December 1821 and recorded in the London Gazette on 21st October 1823.

CRAFT

Initiated in Newcastle upon Tyne Lodge in 1814, he seems never to have been Master of the Lodge but went on to be "the Grand Old Man" of northern Freemasonry

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Installed into the Royal Kent Encampment on 5th January 1815 ..... he remained a Knight for the next 62 years!

It was customary at that time for a Knight of especial competence to stay as Commander (something of an honorary role) for many years and it was not until 1840 that Punshon was appointed Deputy Commander (who was the de facto head of the Encampment).

In 1859 he was honoured by appointment to Grand Sword Bearer in the Grand Conclave.

Provincial Sub-Prior from 1867 - 1873

Following the death of Ogle in 1871 Punshon took on the mantle of Prior with minimal ceremony but it was not until 1873 that he was formally installed as Provincial Prior by E Kt C.J. Banister, at that time a senior member of the Royal Kent Encampment and, presumably, a senior Knight in Grand Conclave. Rather unusually, Banister was then appointed Sub-Prior by the very man he had just installed as Prior!

Provincial Prior from 1873 - 1877

KNIGHT TEMPLAR PRIESTS

Installed into Royal Kent Tabernacle T.I. on 24th January 1864

Died on 22nd November 1877 at the age of 86 years.

Very Eminent Knight Charles James BANISTER

1878 - 1893

A member of the Royal Kent Encampment, he was the Eminent Commander in 1862 but prior to that had been present at the first ever meeting of Provincial Priory on 11th November 1859, when he was appointed as Provincial Chamberlain.

At the meeting on 10th February 1872, led by William Punshon, Sub-Prior, (owing to the death of Revd Ogle a few months earlier) Banister was promoted to the rank of Provincial Seneschal.

On 10th January 1873, he installed Punshon as Provincial Prior before being himself appointed as Sub-Prior!

Following Punshon's death, he was installed as Provincial Prior by Col. Shadwell Henry Clerke, Great Sub-Prior, on 26th February 1878 at Darlington.

Died on 20th February 1893.

Very Eminent Knight Canon Henry Baker TRISTRAM, F.R.S., D.D.

 

1893 - 1906

Born 11th May 1822, Eglingham Vicarage, Alnwick

Educated Durham School and Lincoln College, Oxford

Ordained 1846 but for health reasons (tuberculosis) travelled widely in the Caribbean and Middle East, especially Palestine.

Renowned naturalist specialising in ornithology, he has several bird species named after him. Published several learned books and papers on Middle Eastern flora and fauna.

1873 Canon of Durham Cathedral

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Installed as Provincial Prior of Northumberland, Durham and Berwick-on-Tweed on 27th July 1893, at Maple Street, Newcastle by the Great Sub-Prior of England, The Earl of Euston

Died on 8th March 1906 at the age of 83 years.

Very Eminent Knight Canon John WALKER

1906 - 1910

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Provincial Chaplain on 27th July 1893

Great Almoner 1899

Great Prelate 1900

Installed as Provincial Prior on 14th May 1906 by the ME & Supreme GM, the Earl of Euston at the Masonic Hall, Grainger Street, Newcastle.

Died on the 22nd June 1910

Eminent Knight Thomas PURVIS (Sub-Prior in Charge)

1910

Thomas Purvis

CRAFT

Member of St. Peter's Lodge, No 481. WM in 1891

Joining PM of Lodge of Swinburne, No 2680

1905 Past Provincial Grand Registrar

 

CHAPTER

Member of St. Peter's Chapter, No 481. Z in 1896

Provincial Grand Scribe E

Past Grand Standard Bearer in Supreme Grand Chapter

 

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Member of Royal Kent Preceptory, No 20

Appointed Sub-Prior on 14th May 1906

 

MARK

Member of Tristram Mark Lodge, No. 346. WM in 1891

Member (?Founder) of Blagdon Mark Lodge, No. 547

Deputy Provincial Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Mark Lodge of Northumberland

Past Senior Grand Deacon 1905

 

MARINERS

Member (?Founder) of Northumberland & Berwick upon Tweed Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners, T.I.

Commander in 1894

 

ROSE CROIX

Member of Royal Kent Chapter Rose Croix No. 8

MWS in 1901

 

ALLIED

Royal Kent Council of the Allied Masonic Degrees. PM in1899

 

ROYAL & SELECT MASTERS

Member of Royal Kent Council, T.I. Master 1901; Chaplain 1905; Past Great Marshal

RED CROSS of CONSTANTINE

Member of Royal Kent Conclave, No. 152. MPS in 1902; Divisional Viceroy 1905

Right Eminent Knight Charles Warren NAPIER-CLAVERING, GCT

1911 - 1931

Photo of Napier Clavering in Masonic Regalia

Born: 19th August 1858, Stretton, Staffordshire. Educated: Repton School.

Served: 13th (Somerset) Light Infantry, 1878 - 1906; Colonel.

CRAFT

Initiated 1896, Doyle's Lodge of Fellowship, No 84, Guernsey.

Joined Aldershot Army & Navy Lodge, No 1971 (Dep WM 1898)

Member: Stewart Lodge, No 438

Member: Lodge of Industry, No 48

Member: St. Nicholas' Lodge, No 1676

Member: Unanimity & Sincerity Lodge, No 261

Founder: Star of India Lodge, No 3444

Founder: Lodge Vandaleur, No 3586

Founder: Connaught Army & Navy Lodge, No 4323

WM of the Khyber Lodge, No 582, 1903

the Clavering Lodge No 3290, 1908 (Blaydon-on-Tyne) (Founder & First Master)

the Northumbrian Masters Lodge No 3477, 1911 (Newcastle-on-Tyne) (Founder & First Master)

the Lambton Lodge No 375, (Durham)

and the Old Reptonian Lodge No 3725, (London) (Founder & First Master)

Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland, 1909 - 1931.

CHAPTER

Exalted 1897, Doyle's Chapter of Fellowship, No 84, Guernsey.

Z of the Stewart Chapter No 1960, 1902 (Rawal Pindi)

Member: Aldershot Camp Chapter, No 584

Member: Industry Chapter, No 48

Founder: Connaught Chapter, No 1971

Founder: Astley Chapter, No 2997

Grand Superintendent of Northumberland, 1909 - 1931.

MARK MASTER MASONS

Advanced 1897, Sarnian Lodge, No 425, Guernsey

WM of the Aldershot Army and Navy Lodge, No 349

Provincial Grand Master Overseer, Hants & Isle of Wight, 1899

Grand Master Overseer, 1909

Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland and Durham, 1911

ROYAL ARK MARINERS

Elevated 1899, Menatschim Lodge No 224, London

W.C.N. 1908

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Installed, William Stuart Preceptory, No 76, (Aldershot).

Provincial Herald of Hampshire 1898; Provincial Chamberlain of Bengal, 1906.

Preceptor of the Royal Kent Preceptory, No 20, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 1910.

Knight Commander of the Temple 1910.

Second Great Constable of England, 1910.

Knight Grand Cross of the Temple, 1915.

Provincial Prior of Northumberland and Durham, 1911 - 1931.

Great Seneschal of England, 1913 - 1931.

KNIGHT TEMPLAR PRIESTS

Received into the Royal Kent Tabernacle T.I. of Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests, 1913.

Grand High Priest 1924 - 1931.

ANCIENT and ACCEPTED RITE

Perfected 1899, Royal Naval Chapter No 9, Portsmouth

Sovereign, Money Chapter No 76, Rawal Pindi, 1901

30th Degree 1902; 31st Degree 1909; 32nd Degree 1912

33rd Degree and Grand Inspector General of the Northern District, 1914

RED CROSS of CONSTANTINE

Installed a Knight Companion in Doyle Conclave, 1897

Sovereign of Royal Kent Conclave No 152, 1910

Intendant General of Northumberland and Durham, 1910

Grand Senior General, 1913

ROYAL and SELECT MASTERS

Master, Royal Kent Council, 1912

Grand Principal Conductor of the Work, 1913

ALLIED DEGREES

Master, Royal Kent Council, 1912

Grand Warden, 1913

ROYAL ORDER of SCOTLAND

Admitted 1910

Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland, Cumberland and Durham, 1912

Died 22nd October 1931

Very Eminent Knight Sir Herbert CONYERS SURTEES, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., M.V.O.

1932 - 1933

Born 1858

 

CRAFT

Installed Provincial Grand Master for Durham on 13th October 1932

 

CHAPTER

Installed Grand Superintendent for Durham on 13th October 1932

 

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Installed Provincial Prior of Northumberland & Durham, by the ME & Supreme GM, the Earl of Harewood, on 23rd November 1932

 

Died on 18th April 1933 at the age of 75 years

Very Eminent Knight Robert Wilkin Ernest DIXON, GCT

1933 - 1959


Born 14th July 1873

 

Chairman & M.D. of Robert Farrow & Co., Ltd (Dye Importers & Ship Store Merchants)

Director of Samuel Pinkney & Co., Ltd. (Iron & Steel Merchants)

Fellow; London Association of Accountants

 

 

CRAFT

Initiated 1907 into Palatine Lodge No 97, Sunderland, Province of Durham. Master in 1914.

Founder of Durham Installed Masters Lodge No 4441, Durham

Provincial Grand Secretary of Durham 1919

Installed as Deputy PGM for Durham (to RWBro Cuthbert Wilkinson) on 28th May 1935

Installed as Provincial Grand Master for Durham (after the death of RWBro Wilkinson) on 4th October 1937

To commemorate his 70th Birthday, the sum of £3,250 was raised to establish the “Ernest Dixon Masonic Scholarship”

 

CHAPTER

Exalted in Strict Benevolence Chapter No 97 in 1914. First Principal in 1922.

Provincial Grand Scribe E in 1921

Installed as Grand Superintendent of Durham on 28th May 1935

 

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Installed in Mount Grace Preceptory No 118 in 1920.

Founder of Finchale Preceptory No 222 in 1922. Preceptor in 1923.

Founder of Haliwerfolc Preceptory No 223

Installed as Provincial Prior of Northumberland & Durham, by the ME & Supreme GM, the Earl of Harewood, on 23rd November 1933

Knight Commander of the United Orders 1937

Presided over the Centenary of the Provincial Priory of Northumberland & Durham on 14th June 1950 with a Commemoration Service in Durham Cathedral, followed by the meeting of Provincial Priory in the Chapter House, in the presence of the ME & Supreme GM, Lord Harris.

Knight Grand Cross of the United Orders 1950

 

ROSE CROIX

Perfected in Ravensworth Rose Croix Chapter No 183 in 1918

Installed as Inspector General 33o for Durham on 3rd November 1933

 

RED CROSS of CONSTANTINE

Intendant-General for North Eastern Division 1940-52

 

MARK

Advanced in Union Mark Lodge No 124 in 1912. Dep.W.M. in 1922

Founder of Ravensworth Lodge in 1920

Provincial Grand Treasurer 1922

Installed Provincial Grand Master of the Mark for Durham on 16th November 1936

 

MARINERS

Elevated in Union Lodge No 124

 

KNIGHT TEMPLAR PRIESTS

Installed in Royal Kent Tabernacle TI

Founder of Finchale Tabernacle No 3 in 1924. High Priest in 1925

Elected Grand High Priest of the Grand College of Knights Templar Priests 13th February 1941 and held office until his death in 1959.

Died on 19th February 1959 at the age of 86 years

Very Eminent Knight George Watson BOURN, KCT

1959 - 1975

CRAFT

Master of Delaval Lodge, No. 2568, in 1932

Master of the Northumbrian Masters Lodge, No. 3477, in 1949

 

CHAPTER

First Principal of John Page Chapter, No. 3619, in 1935

 

MARK

Master of Northumberland & Berwick-on-Tweed Mark Lodge, T.I., in 1938

Provincial Grand Secretary 1947 - 55

Deputy Provincial Grand Master 1955 - 72

Past Grand Warden 1965

 

 

MARINERS

Commander of Angus Lodge of RAM No 561, in 1949

Past Commander in the Grand Master's Royal Ark Council Northumberland & Berwick Lodge of RAM, T.I.

Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank 1968

Deputy Provincial Grand Master 1955 - 72

 

 

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Member of Royal Kent Preceptory, No. 20; Eminent Preceptor in 1945

Sub-Prior of Northumberland

Installed Provincial Prior of Northumberland 1959

Knight Commander of the Temple 1963

Resigned due to ill health March 1975

 

KNIGHT TEMPLAR PRIESTS

Grand Recorder of the Grand College of Knight Templar Priests 1954 - 58

Grand High Priest from 1959 till 1975

 

Died 1976.

Right Eminent Knight Harold Frederick Lockwood MAVITY, KCT

1975 - 1989

CRAFT

Past Master of Lodge Malaya No 5213, Great Queen Street, London

Past Master in Pons Aelii Lodge No 4523

Past Master in Perfect Ashlar Lodge No 7966

Past Assistant Grand Registrar, 1953

CHAPTER

Past First Principal of Servavi Chapter No 6105, in 1959

Past Grand Standard Bearer, 1965

MARK

Past Master of Cramlington Mark Lodge No 1235, in 1960

Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, 1972

MARINERS

Past Commander of Whitley Lodge of RAM No 788, in 1969

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Installed a Knight of the Order in Brinkburn Preceptory on 21st July 1943.

Malta Degree conferred in Chibburn Priory on 8th October 1943.

Preceptor of Brinkburn Preceptory 17th October 1951.

1950 Prov Bnr Br; 1959 Prov Chancellor; 1968 Prov Vice Chancellor

1964 P Gd Mstr's Bnr Br; 1972 P Gt Her; 1975 Prov Prior.

Held office from 1975 to 1989

RED CROSS of CONSTANTINE

Intendant-General of Northumberland & Durham 1977 -1989

Died 15th March 1990

Right Eminent Knight John Sherwood STEPHENSON

1989 - 1992

John Sherwood StephensonRight Eminent Knight John S. Stephenson

CRAFT

Provincial Grand Master of Northumberland 1976 - 92

 

CHAPTER

Grand Superintendent of Northumberland 1978 - 92

 

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

Provincial Prior 1989 - 92

Right Eminent Knight Ewan David DAWES, KCT

1992 - 2004

Right Eminent Knight Ewan D. Dawes, KCT

Ewan David Dawes died on 13th February 2015 in Edinburgh after a brave fight against cancer.

In his professional life he was a well-regarded Architect in private practice, with an emphasis on industrial work, a consequence of a long time working for English Industrial Estates. Mourners at his memorial service in St. James’s Church, Morpeth, were able to appreciate his artistic talent by his pen and ink sketch of the building which still adorns the cover of the Church’s Newsletter.

His Masonic career started when he followed his father into Portland Lodge No. 6170 in Ashington, where at the time of his death he was the Lodge’s senior Past Master, having served as Master in 1973. He was appointed Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1986 and promoted to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1994.

Having joined the Craft he quickly turned to the Royal Arch and he joined Ashington Chapter No. 2868 and was its First Principal in 1977. He was appointed Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1989 and promoted to Past Grand Standard Bearer in 2000.

RE Kt Dawes' Banner

He fell in love with the Order of Knights Templar when he joined Brinkburn Preceptory No. 284 and he was appointed to the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard in 1975, became Preceptor in 1977, Provincial Vice-Chancellor in 1978, Sub-Prior in 1989 and Provincial Prior in 1992, an Office he held until his move to Edinburgh for family reasons in 2003.

He received his first Great Priory appointment in 1980 when he became Past Great Aide-de-Campe, promoted in 1986 to Past Great Herald and again in 1992 to Past Great Registrar. He was appointed to the Honour and Dignity of Knight Commander of the Temple in 1999. His time as Provincial Prior was marked by tremendous expansion of the Order in Northumberland. When he was appointed there were 11 Preceptories in the Province and by the time he retired there were 16.

Having moved to Edinburgh he joined his local bowls club and before long was its Secretary and later President. His funeral in Edinburgh was attended by a very large representation from bowls clubs from all over the city, in testimony to the great impact he had made in that community in such a relatively short period of time.

Ewan was an enthusiastic supporter of everything of which he was a member and will be sorely missed in a wide range of organisations, not least in the Provincial Priory of Northumberland where he was always a valuable source of wise advice and counsel.

VE Kt Donald Jowett, PGt2ndConst, Past Sub Prior

Memorial to Rev. E.C. Ogle in Whalton Church, Northumberland

For nearly two Centuries, Knights installed into the Royal Kent Preceptory have taken their Obligation on the Punshon Book of the Holy Gospels.