Eminent Knight James Nicol Fraser Lamont
01 June 1940 – 18 May 2021
It is with great sadness that the Provincial Priory reports the passing of Eminent Knight Jim Lamont earlier this month at the age of 80 years.
Jim was in initiated into Freemasonry in Delaval Lodge No 2568 in March 1982 and was its Master on three occasions, in 1987, 1992 and in 2011.
Between his second and third Masterships he took on the role of Secretary of the Lodge for ten years from 1995.
In addition, he became a Joining member of the John Stephenson Lecture Lodge No 9571 in 1995, acting as Master in 2000 ; a Founder member of Per Diem Lodge No 9638 and was Master in 1999; and a Joining member of Comitatus Lodge No 7687, acting as Master twice, in 2003 and 2008.
Unfortunately those three Lodges all eventually closed, so Jim joined Newminster Lodge No 5328 in 2014 and such was his dedication to the Craft that he acted as Master once again in 2016.
In Provincial Grand Lodge, his first appointment was the highest then available, to Acting Provincial Senior Grand Deacon in 1995 and, six years later, he received further promotion to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden.
In the Royal Arch, he was exalted into Chapter De Loraine No 541 in August 1989 and later also helped to found Per Diem Chapter No 9638 in 2004. He was First Principal in De Loraine in 1996. In consequence of his service to the Order he was promoted in Provincial Grand Chapter to the rank of Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah.
In our own Order, Jim was installed a Knight in the St Wilfred of Hexham Preceptory No 461 in April 1992. His talent and zeal were recognised early and he was appointed to the Provincial Prior’s Bodyguard in 1999 and became a joining member of the Northumbria Guards Preceptory No 600.
Three years later he acted as Preceptor of St Wilfred for two consecutive years, from 2002 to 2004. Subsequently joining Brinkburn Preceptory No 284 in 2007, he remaining a committed member until his death.
In recognition of his services to the Templar Order, he was appointed to the rank of Provincial Captain of the Guard in 2003 and promoted to Past Provincial Herald in 2007 and to Past Provincial Registrar in 2011.
He was also a Mark Master Mason, having been Advanced in Clavering Mark Lodge No 96 in 1991. He was Elevated in De Umfraville Lodge of Royal Ark Mariners in 1992; Inducted into Severus Conclave in the Order of the Secret Monitor No 351 in 1998; and Installed a Knight Companion in the Royal Kent Conclave No152 in the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine in 1997.
Our Province has lost a much loved and respected mason and his passing will be mourned by all who knew him.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior