Very Eminent Knight Peter Lock Kinnair, P.Gt.Reg., Past Provincial Sub Prior
22 May 1927 – 09 April 2013
The Provincial Priory of Northumberland was deeply saddened to learn of the death of one of its most senior and prominent members in April 2013.
After a year as our Provincial Vice-Chancellor in 1991, VE Kt Peter Lock Kinnair was the Provincial Sub Prior from 1992 to 2001, under the Priorship of RE Kt Ewan David Dawes, KCT.
Initiated into Freemasonry in Horton Lodge No 6690 in May 1949, Peter was installed in the Master’s Chair in 1960.
A couple of years later he joined the Northumbrian Masters Lodge No 3477 and acted as its Master in 1993.
As is customary in that Lodge, on his installation he delivered an Inaugural Lecture entitled “Bilqis” (the Muslim name for the Queen of Sheba).
In Provincial Grand Lodge his dedication to masonry was reflected in him becoming a Ruler in the Craft when he was promoted to Assistant Provincial Grand Master in 1991 and Deputy Provincial Grand Master in 2000. He was consequently promoted in Grand Lodge to the rank of Past Grand Sword Bearer in 2001.
In the Royal Arch, he was exalted in Blagdon Chapter No 659 in 1956, was First Principal in 1969 and subsequently promoted in Supreme Grand Chapter to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1993.
He joined our own Templar Order when he was installed in Chibburn Preceptory No 232 in October 1977.
In 1986 he became a Founder member of Wudcestre Preceptory No 537 and acted as Preceptor the following year. He also helped to Found the Northumbria Guards Preceptory No 600 in 1995, taking the Chair of Preceptor in 1999.
His talents and zeal as a mason were as immediately apparent in our Order as it was in the Craft and, in 1991 he became our Vice-Chancellor.
This was followed the next year by promotion to Sub Prior – an office he held for the next nine years. In consequence of his service to Templar masonry, he was promoted in Great Priory to the rank of Past Great Registrar in 1998.
One of the most dedicated and hard working masons in our Province, his passing was widely mourned by all the Brethren and Brother Knights who knew him.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior