History of RBP 326 "Sir William Allen Memorial"
Colonel Sir William James Allen, K.B.E., D.S.O., D.L., M.P. Memorial
Portadown Ex-servicemen's Royal Black Preceptory No 326
Without doubt! This Preceptory is the “Jewel in the Crown” of Portadown Royal Black District Chapter No5, as is also their Orange equivalent LOL No 603, to Portadown Orange District LOL No 1.
To see them on parade is a sight to behold, and much admired by many far and wide.
They provide the ‘Colour Party' for the ‘District Chapter', when required, such as the‘Rembrance'ceremonies at the ‘War Memorial' and other similar occasions.
This is very much appreciated by the Worshipful District Master and all the Sir Knts of Portadown Royal Black Chapter No5, and has been reiterated many times.
The appearance of R.B.P. 326 at the annual ‘Royal Black' demonstration on the 13th July in Scarva village, County Down is greeted with much pleasure and acclamation from the immense number of spectators (circa 100k), some tourists, from all parts of the world.
There is no question of the loyalty of R.B.P. 326 to ‘Portadown District', as at the recent ‘John Allen Memorial' ceremony at ‘Seagoe Cemetery' on the 22nd May 2005, they stood, without flinching during a heavy rain-storm (which lasted throughout), , proudly bearing their colours.
R.B.P. 326 was instituted on the 2nd of May 1949, their first Worshipful Master being Sir Knt Edward Cassels J.P.; who was prominent in business circles, as well as being one of Portadown's leading citizens: - Other founder members were:-- Sir Knt's, Rev Coffey,—A. L. Martin, - Victor Wright, - Thomas Rea, - Thomas A. Aldred, - J. Heatley and J. A. Allen.
The membership of this Preceptory has been, and is now, drawn from those who have loyally served their ‘King, Queen' and country, during the two ‘World Wars', in all branches of the ‘Services', and more recently in the conflict in Northern Ireland in the ranks of the Ulster Defence Regiment, and the ‘Royal Irish Regiment'
On Friday the 20th of June 1980, in Carleton Street Orange Hall. Royal Black Preceptory No 326, and L.O.L. No. 608 jointly unfurled and dedicated new Colours, these were unveiled on behalf of R.B.P. 326 by the Right Worshipful Sovereign Grand Master, Sir Knt, James Molyneaux, J.P., M.P.; and for L.O.L. No. 608 by the Grand Secretary Worshipful Bro.Walter Williams, J.P.
'Portadown Ex-Servicemen'
- Past Masters
| 1949-1954 – Sir Knt E.
Cassells |
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1979-1980 – Sir Knt W.
Moffatt |
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| 1955-1956 – Sir Knt J. Heatley |
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1981-1983 – Sir Knt G. Marsden |
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| 1956-1957 – Sir Knt T. Rea |
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1984-1985 – Sir Knt R. Todd |
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| 1958-1959 – Sir Knt J. Allen |
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1986-1988 – Sir Knt W. Totten |
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| 1959-1960 – Sir Knt T. A. Aldred
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1988-1989 – Sir Knt S. J. Thompson
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| 1960-1961 – Sir Knt W. Wright |
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1990-1991 – Sir Knt E. Cleaver |
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| 1962-1965 – Sir Knt T. A. Aldred
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1992-1993 – Sir Knt L. H. Downes
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| 1966-1968 – Sir Knt C. Mathers |
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1994-1995 – Sir Knt B. Maguinness
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| 1968-1970 – Sir Knt A. Hyde |
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1996-1998 – Sir Knt J. Best |
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| 1970-1978 – Sir Knt A. Rusk |
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1998-2000 – Sir Knt W. Freeburn |
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| 2000-2002 – Sir Knt Paul Harper |
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2002-2004– Sir Knt Edward Lynas |
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| 2004–2006- Sir Knt Edmund Stewart |
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2006-2009– Sir Knt William Partridge |
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'Portadown Ex-Servicemen' - Past
Chapter Registrars
| 1996-2004 Sir Knt Robert Todd |
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2005-2009 Sir Knt Alan
Burns |
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Click here to see images of R.B.P. 326
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