Tony McGrath Becomes A Knight Of Our Order

Wednesday 24th June 2026 saw the Installation of E.Comp. Maurice Christopher Anthony McGrath (Tony to his friends) as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Red Cross of Constantine.

Worthy Knight McGrath, a well-respected Mason in the Sheffield area, became a member of the White Rose of York Conclave in a well presented ceremony. Members and visitors alike welcomed Tony as a member of our Illustrious Order. May he have many years of enjoyment in the Order.

The conclave attendance was only 10 out of 16 members (including our 3 honorary members), with clashes of meetings, illness and one emergency hospitalisation taking its toll. All of the honorary members were present, and Paul Clarke delivered the oration and also acted as Marshal, Tony Llewellyn was acting Herald, and Keith Tolan performed the accolade as well as communicating the signs and words.

Sentinel Richard Johnson also acted as Viceroy (John Clague being in hospital), as well as sharing some thoughts on the watchwords of the order, Two visitors acted as the Generals on the night – Richard Beecroft from Wharfedale conclave and Jerry Anderson from St Helena conclave.

David Hayes as Sovereign ably led the whole ceremony, and the candidate Tony commented that he had enjoyed the experience and looked forward to learning more about the Red Cross as an order and its conclaves in West Yorkshire. He was given the history booklet on both White Rose and Royal Standard conclaves from 1875 onwards, and also the 100-year history of the West Yorkshire Division, which should provide him with some interesting information, especially for a Sheffield Mason.

All in all, a good way to celebrate the 309th anniversary of the founding of the first Premier Grand Lodge in London on 24th June 1717.

Pictured Left To Right are

David Kirkman, Keith Tolan – IG, David Hayes – Sovereign, Tony McGrath – Candidate, Alistair Booth – Deputy IG, Richard Johnson – Sentinel, Alan Perry – High Prelate, Karl Ryalls – Prefect