Royal Black Preceptory Confers Top Degrees

Carrickmannon RBP 1085 holds ceremony where Sir Knights are presented with Red Cross degrees

On Tuesday 28th April twelve Sir Knights within Saintfield Royal Black District Chapter No. 12 received the Red Cross degree in Carrickmannon Orange Hall. 

The Royal Black Institution consists of eleven initiatory degrees based on Old Testament narratives, designed to impart Christian teachings and promote charitable, responsible behaviour.

The degrees, often termed “travels” or rituals, are typically taken in order: Royal Black, Royal Scarlet, Royal Mark, Apron and Royal Blue, Royal White, Royal Green, Gold, Star and Garter, Crimson Arrow, Link and Chain, and the final Red Cross degree.

The degrees in order, are:

1. Royal Black Degree: Initiatory level.
2. Royal Scarlet Degree: Focuses on loyalty.
3. Royal Mark Degree: Focuses on the crossing of the Jordan (Joshua).
4. Apron and Royal Blue Degree: Focuses on Solomon and the temple building.
5. Royal White Degree: Focuses on David and Goliath.
6. Royal Green Degree: Focuses on Adam/Eve and Noah’s Ark.
7. Gold Degree: Focuses on the tribes in Gilead (Joshua).
8. Star and Garter Degree: Focuses on Melchizedek (Hebrews).
9. Crimson Arrow Degree: Focuses on Jehu’s purge (2 Kings).
10. Link and Chain Degree: Focuses on Daniel and Babylon.
11. Red Cross Degree: Focuses on the death/resurrection of Christ and the New Jerusalem.

Preceptories (or Encampments) may hold meetings where members, or “Sir Knights,” advance through these stages through study and ceremony.

A spokesperson said: “At the meeting in Carrickmannon, there were five Sir knights who are members of Carrickmannon RBP 1085 (Ian McIlveen, Neil Corken, Scott McKeag, Sam Dickson and Adam McIlveen), five from Ballycoan RBP 689 (Jonny Boal, Richard Munn, Adam Crawford, Robert McDowell and Jonny Clarke), one from Saintfield RBP 73 (Mark Patton) and one from Ravara RBP 998 (Ricky McKee). 

“Afterwards, the twelve Sir Knights were warmly congratulated by the Most Worshipful Sovereign Grand Master, Reverend William Anderson JP who then presented each with the Red Cross emblem and gave an inspirational address. 

“The majority of the twelve Sir Knights joined the Institution in May 2025 and received all eleven degrees from District Lecturers, Sir Knights Wilbert Thompson and David Cleland and the Scriptures were read on each occasion by the District Chaplain, Sir Knight Robin Fairbairn. 

“Sir Knight Wilbert Thompson travelled from his home in Larne to Carrickmannon each month over the past year, a journey time of over one hour each way, regardless of weather conditions. 

“Many members of Saintfield District expressed how much they were indebted to the lecturing team they were fortunate to have in the District. 

“There was an excellent turn out of members within Saintfield District, particularly District Officers and members from RBPs 73, 213, 689, 998 and 1085 and the presence of distinguished Officers from the Imperial Grand Black Chapter and County Down Grand Black Chapter along with addresses  from a few members in attendance (including the WDM, Sir Knight Mervyn Barr and Rt. Worshipful Sir Knight Brian Hunter, PCGM) ensured the meeting would be long remembered by the twelve members who received the Red Cross degree.

“Sir Knight James McIlveen PM who joined Carrickmannon RBP 1085 in 1966 was presented with a Bible for 60 years of service to the Institution by the Sovereign Grand Master and Sir Knight Jonathan Gill, WM of the Preceptory, was presented with a 30-year service medal by the County Grand Master, Rt. Worshipful Sir Knight Paul McCarroll. 

“The County Grand Master presented Sir Knight Robin Fairbairn with a Bible for his father, Sir Knight John C (Jack) Fairbairn who was unable to attend owing to illness, to mark the occasion of being an affiliate member of Carrickmannon RBP 1085 for ten years and for his lecturing work within the Preceptory over a longer period.  Sir Knight John C Fairbairn earlier this year celebrated 75 years of membership in the Institution.

“Visiting Sir Knights also included Rt. Worshipful Sir Knight Brian Hunter PCGM, DCGR and Sir Knight Gary Alexander PDM, RBP 527, both members of Comber Royal Black District Chapter No. 10.”

The evening concluded with light refreshments supplied by ‘The Goose’, of High Street, Comber.