Eminent Knight John Robson, P.Prov.Gt.2nd Const.
The Provincial Priory of Northumberland is sad to report the passing on 7th July this year, of E Kt. John Robson, P.Prov.Gt.2nd Const.
John was initiated into Freemasonry in Blagdon Lodge No 659 in October 1974. He acted as its Master in 1983 and gained numerous Provincial appointments and promotions before he was awarded appointment to Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in the Grand Lodge of England in 2002.
Exalted into Blagdon Royal Arch Chapter No 659 in February 1980, he acted as its First Principal and was ultimately promoted to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in the Provincial Grand Chapter of Northumberland in 2001.
In the Knight Templar Order, John was installed a Knight in Wudcestre Preceptory No 537 in 1986.
He took the Chair of Preceptor in 1998 and was promoted in Provincial Priory to the rank of Past Provincial Great Second Constable in 2007.
In addition to his membership of Wudcestre, he was a Founder member of St Ronan Preceptory No 580 and also a Founder of the Northumbria Guards Preceptory No 600 in 1993 and 1995 respectively.
Very active in many other sovereign masonic Orders, his greatest achievement was to act as a Provincial Ruler, when he was installed as the District Grand Master of Northumberland in the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters in 2007.
He held this office for five years before he retired in 2012.
John held Grand rank in several other Orders –
Past Grand Junior Deacon in the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, and a holder of Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank;
Past Grand Senior Deacon in the Grand Council of the Order of Allied Masonic Degrees;
Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in the Order of the Secret Monitor;
Past Grand Prefect in the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine and a holder of the 30th Degree in the Ancient and Accepted Rite.
His loss will be severely felt by all of his Provincial, District and individual units and we all mourn his passing.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior