Eminent Knight John Edward Bradbeer, P.Gt.W of R.
5th March 1941 – 13th November 2022
It is with great sadness that I have to report the passing of one of our most respected and well-loved Knights in the Provincial Priory of Northumberland. Eminent Knight John Bradbeer died peacefully in his sleep in Cramlington Hospital on Sunday evening, 13th November, after a protracted illness, at the age of 81 years.
John had been initiated into Freemasonry in Cowpen Lodge No 4824 on 3rd December 1973. Passed and Raised in April and December respectively the following year, John acted as Master of the Lodge for two consecutive years, in 1981 and 1982.
In consequence of his service, he was first appointed in Provincial Grand Lodge to Past Provincial Senior Grand Deacon before promotion, in 2007, to the Acting rank of Provincial Senior Grand Warden.
John was exalted in the Royal Arch in Croft Chapter No 3310 on 20th September 1979. He was First Principal twice, in 1995 and again in 2013; and was appointed in Provincial Grand Chapter to Acting Provincial Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies in 2000.
He joined the Knights Templar when he was installed a Knight in Chibburn Preceptory No 232 on 10th December 1982, and it is very sad that his death should have come just one month before the Province was able to celebrate him achieving 40 years as a member of our Order.
He was also a Founder member of St Ronan Preceptory No 580 on 5th June 1993; and he acted as the Eminent Preceptor of both Preceptories – Chibburn in 1992 and St Ronan in 1994.
For his service to the Order, he was appointed to the rank of Provincial Standard Bearer (V.B.) in 1993, before promotion to Past Provincial Herald in 1995 and to Past Provincial Registrar in 1999.
He subsequently received appointment to the rank of Past Great Warden of Regalia in Great Priory in 2006.
The Provincial Priory of Northumberland, and the Preceptories of which he was a member, are saddened by the loss of a much respected Knight of our Order, a true gentleman and a friend to all, and we shall forever miss his presence in our meetings.
Kevin Stannard
Provincial Prior