R.A.O.B. or Buffaloes

[whittenbury]

Hi,
Well I looked on my Granddad's certificate and it says:
" Has been duly initiated into the mysteries and rituals of the Buffalos 14th April 1940" it has been signed by John Wilson, ROH Grand Sec and Harry Metcalf W.P.
It was in it's original tube an it was posted to King Charles Lodge 310 Wollaton Nottm.

Hi
I just happen to have a Directory of 1940
The 310 King Charles lodge met at Rose & Crown Inn Alfreton Rd Nottingham on Sunday's
The lodge opened about 1899 but closed just before 1999.
I cant find the Nottingham Province website (seems to be taken over)
you could write to
The Provincial Grand Secretary
R A O B Club
Woodborough Rd
Nottingham
as the lodge didn't close that long ago they might have something about him.
Den

[millymcb]

Hi Whittenbury


Here is a picture of a couple of Buffs - would you be able to tell me anything about them? What order they may have belonged to? Any clues from the photo?

On the left is William Henry Smith born 1879 in Manchester.   in 1901 he was living at Energy Street, Ancoats. I believe he worked at a place called Sutton & Co General Carriers - he was something to do with the horses - possibly a driver. Their address in 1927 was Pott Street Ancoats (but I don't now whether he worked there at the time).  From 1827-1950 I have him living at Buckley Street, Reddish - which may have been Gorton, Manchester - or could have been known as part of Stockport (it's a rather confusing area).  http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/LAN/Reddish/

So - I think a most likely area for his ROAB was in and around Gorton/Reddish - or possibly Openshaw, Denton or Levenshulme. Or his children still lived in Manchester - Phillips Park area - and he may have worked in Manchester so possibly around there.

Looking at the age of the photograph I guess he could be in his 50s which would put the date about the 1930s - so he would have been at the Buckley Street, Reddish address.

The man on the right is his brother Eli Smith (born about 1881). I don't have much information on his address or work but it is possible he was in the same line of work.

Would be great to find out more about them both.

Many thanks


Milly

[whittenbury]

Hi Milly
could you have a look at the jewels with a magnifing glass (not sure if its lost a bit in copy) can you see any marks on the Jewel ribbons. I think its Grand Surrey Banner because neither seem to have GLE first degree jewel.
I will work out a bit more in the mean time
Den

[whittenbury]

digging a bit deeper I dont think G surrey banner had lodges in stockport. I have trid emailing sec of Grand council Banner (who did have lodges there) but that bounced
I will persist though
What I can tell you about the pic is
Eli Was the Sitting Primo of his lodge that month & as he seems to be wearing 3 jewels (the left one looks like a Primo jewel)
William is the City Marshal (his deputy if you like)
As they are wearing lodge regalia i would think the pic was taken in the garden of where they met (although his lodge may of taken regalia home but not the norm)
Maybe if i could see the jewels and the base of the collar might give a bit more
Den

[millymcb]

Thanks Whittinbury


This is the most original version I have before I cropped it to tidy the edges...it may be a little better. Will try to get a close up too


I will see if I can find a magnifying glass - or someone with better eyes than me - and get back to you!

Milly

[whittenbury]

Its OK Milly
I think I was right with Grand Council Banner.
It took a while to find it but here goes
RAOB GC Stockport Province  Reddish lodge , in 1956 were meeting Railway Hotel Gorton Rd Reddish Monday's 8pm. this was in 1956 but with a little more search might find earlier address.
Found the grand Council website
http://www.raobgc.org.uk/
nice site with some old journals on there I am sure if you contact them you might get lucky
Good hunting
Den

[millymcb]

Thanks -

So ..I presume that it was most likely they were members of the lodge nearest to where they lived?


When you say Grand Council Banner - what do you mean?

Will the jewel ribbons tell us any more do you think?    I've posted it on the photo restoration board at http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=283221.new#new as you never know what they may be able to retrieve.


I had always thought that the photo was taken in their back garden - but odd if they were not supposed to take their regalia home.   It doesn't look like the kind of garden they would have at the Railway Hotel - I doubt they would have had much of a garden at all.



Cheers for the info

Milly


 

[millymcb]

Hi Den - some sharper pix and close ups on this thread


http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=283221.new#new

Milly

 

[whittenbury]

Hi Milly
Yes the Photo could be in their back garden. some lodges had no where safe to store items so the brothers kept hold of them (I am sorry if I missled you)
The scan is better and I still think its Grand Council Banner (Grand Lodge of England is the largest banner) but all the principles are the same. Also they can visit other lodges and other Banners.The only diffrence is the jewels and some of the rules and ceremonies
Have a look at that website there is a link to genral secretary I am sure he could help a bit more.
Let me know how you get on.
Den