Very Eminent Knight Donald Brackenbury, P.Gt.Reg.
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of VE Kt Donald Brackenbury, P.Gt.Reg., who died on Thursday 15th August 2019.
Donald was one of the most outstanding Freemasons in our Province, and well known and highly respected by all.
Initiated into Carville Lodge No 2497 in 1956, he was appointed PProvDepGSwdB in 1978 before his Grand Lodge appointment to PAGDC in 1993.
In the Royal Arch, exaltation in Carville Royal Arch Chapter No 2497 in 1958 was followed by promotion to PProvGSN in 1988 and Grand Chapter appointment to PGStdB in 2004.
Donald was installed a Sir Knight in Royal Kent Preceptory No 20 in January 1979.
Just in March this year the RE Provincial Prior had the pleasure of presenting him with a “40th Tie” to mark this most special anniversary.
Donald was one of the main driving forces behind the success of Royal Kent Preceptory, now the largest Preceptory in our Province. As the second longest serving member, he was its Preceptor in 1989 following which he was, for nearly two decades, its Treasurer.
Promotion to Provincial First Constable led to the Great Priory rank of P.Gt.WofR
In consequence of his unstinting service to the Preceptory and to the Order, he was given a “field promotion” to P.Gt. Reg. by the ME & S Grand Master on the occasion of the Bicentenary of Royal Kent in 2012.
In addition to his standing in Knight Templar masonry, Donald held high office in the Grand College of Knight Templar Priests, where he had been the Acting Grand IVth Pillar before promotion to Past Grand VII Pillar and Knight of Holy Wisdom. He was a Grand Officer in the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and he held the 32nd Degree in the Ancient & Accepted Rite, or Rose Croix.
The Provincial Priory of Northumberland and the Knights Templar, as well as Northumberland Freemasonry in general, are the poorer for his passing and we shall all mourn his loss.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior