Eminent Knight Alan Hodgson Smith, P.Gt.Chamb.
12th July 1933 – 14th May 2022
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of a senior and very much respected Knight in the Provincial Priory of Northumberland.
Eminent Knight Alan Hodgson Smith, P.Gt.Chamb, died on Saturday 14th May 2022 after a protracted illness at the age of 86 years. Alan was initiated into Freemasonry in City Lodge No 5287 on 6th May 1964. He acted as its Master in 1974 and was its Secretary from 1992 till 2002. For his service he was first appointed to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 1986 before being promoted to the Acting rank of Provincial Senior Grand Warden in 1992.
This led to his appointment in Grand Lodge to the rank of Past Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 1995. His Lodge was erased in 2012, causing him to become a Joining member of Epicure Lodge No 9618 in April 2013, remaining a subscribing member up until his death.
He was exalted in Gosforth Royal Arch Chapter No 1664 on 8th November 1968; acting as its First Principal in 1981 and subsequently Scribe Ezra between 1991 and 2006. His first Provincial Grand Chapter appointment was as Provincial Grand Sword Bearer in 1986 before two promotions to Past Provincial Grand Scribe Nehemiah in 1992 and Provincial 2nd Grand Principal in 1995.
He had been previously accorded rank in Supreme Grand Chapter as Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1993. Sadly, his Chapter was erased in 2012 and he was unattached at the time of his death.
He was installed into our Templar Order in Brandling Preceptory No 239 in January 1974, though he later moved to become Founder of St Wilfred of Hexham Preceptory 461 in August 1975. Having acted as Eminent Preceptor in St Wilfred’s in 1981, he was appointed as Provincial Banner Bearer in 1982, before three promotions – to Provincial Standard Bearer (B) in 1986; Provincial Almoner in 1990 and Past Provincial Second Constable in 1994.
His Great Priory appointment to Past Great Chamberlain was in May 1997. A member of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, he was advanced in Thomas Purvis Mark Lodge No 702 in November 1967, though he resigned in 1984. He was a Founder of Ponteland Mark Lodge No 1550 in October 1980, maintaining membership until his death.
For his service to the Order, he was appointed to the rank of Past Grand Standard Bearer in 1989 before promotion to Past Grand Junior Deacon in 2000.
In the Royal Ark Mariners, he was elevated in Hexham Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner No 1161 in May 1973 and was a Founder of Ponteland Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner No 1550 in January 1986, remaining a member until its closure in 2011.
He subsequently joined Newgate Lodge of Royal Ark Mariner No 1141 in September 2011. For his service to the Order, he was accorded Royal Ark Mariner Grand Rank in 2000. He joined the King Edwin Lodge No 7 in the Order of the Knights Beneficent of the Holy City in March 2013 and took his 5th Grade as a Squire Novice in Brigantes Prefecture No 2 in March 2015. Sadly, age and infirmity prevented him from progressing to the 6th Grade. He was probably best known for his devotion to the Order of Royal & Select Masters, having joined Royal Kent Council “A” T.I. in February 1973, acting as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1985.
He was the Founder of no fewer than three other Councils: Hexhamshire No 193 in April 1995; Cumbria and the Borders Council No 199 in February 1996 (being elected to Honorary Membership in 2015) and Keith Hind Council No 260 in January 2005. He was a member of Grafton Council of Anointed Kings No 16 at Mark Masons Hall from January 2009.
In 1996 he was appointed to Past Grand Standard Bearer before his appointment as the District Grand Master for Northumberland from 1997 until 2007.
His service to our Templar Order and all the other Orders of which he was a member was tremendous, and we shall forever miss him in our assemblies.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior