It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of WBro Roy Bates PPJGW to the Grand Lodge Above on Sunday the 19th of May 2019 at the RMBI Home, Devonshire Court. He was 89-years old.
WBro Roy Bates PPJGW
Roy became a Freemason on 28 October 1974 when he was initiated into Grey Friars Lodge No 4990. He served the Lodge with great alacrity and was its Worshipful Master in 1986. He was rewarded with several Provincial promotions, the last being to Past Provincial Junior Grand Warden in 2006.
He particularly liked the Holy Royal Arch and was Exalted into that Order on 22 February 1977 in St John’s Chapter No 3972. He served as MEZ in the 1990/91 season. In 1993 he became the Chapter’s ADC, moving to DC in 1997. An office he held until 2004. In recognition of his many services and dedication, he was made an Honorary Member of the Chapter in 2015. Such were his achievements in our Chapter, he was made a Provincial Grand Steward in 1993, was promoted to Past Provincial Grand Sojourner in 1995, to Past Provincial Grand Registrar in 2000 and to Past Provincial Grand Nehemiah in 2005. Roy’s great service to the Chapter resulted in him being made an honorary member in October 2015.
St John’s Chapter members recall his great knowledge and commitment to the Chapter. He coached and mentored many of its more junior members. He had an insistence on perfection but his professional and fatherly approach has guided many a Royal Arch Mason along the right path.
He provided St John’s Chapter with a small army-issue Bible that was issued to his Uncle, Bert Partridge, during the First World War. Sadly, Bert Partridge was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme (1 July, 1916) at the age of 19 years.
A little-known fact about Roy was that he was a direct descendent of Lieutenant General James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who led the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854 and whose family seat is at Deene Park, Northamptonshire. Lieutenant Brudenell was Roy’s great, great, grandfather.
Roy was a great servant to Freemasonry. He will be sadly missed.