This page and those to follow will look back at members who have been part of the Orders history. Brothers who in one way or another had a great bearing on important stages and decisions of the R.A.O.B.
Brother Roger Henry Thomas, R.O.H.
Grand Primo (Eng.) 1912
President of the Southport Convention
Brother Roger was born in the South Wales valley town of Aberdare. His family at one time lived in Bute Street near the town center and the house he was born in was visited by Queen Mary and George V when they made a tour of Wales in the early 1900's.
Initiated into the Order in the Cardiff Province he became a member of the Merthyr Province when it was formed in 1899. His enthusiasm within the ranks of his local Lodge, the Prince of Wales 488, soon found him in the capacity as a delegate to the Provincial Grand Lodge. At This level he was also quickly noticed, soon elected to hold a Minor Office and was duly elected the Provincial Grand Primo in 1905. He was raised to Knighthood in 1904, his Roll of Honour being conferred in 1908.
1907 found him becoming an elective member of the R.A.O.B. G.L.E. Orphanage Committee in the company of many of the high ranking officers of the Grand Lodge of England at that time. He was nominated for a Collar at Grand Lodge and was successful in being elected the Grand Chamberlain for 1910, at the December meeting held at Leeds, to carry out his duties at the meetings held in the City of Bath. The same year two other Welshmen were elect as Officers, Bro's Jack Davies R.O.H. from Abertillary as Grand Tyler, and John Gardner K.O.M. from Cardiff the Grand Constable.
Following his term as Deputy Grand Primo, he was elected to lead the Order as its Grand Primo for 1912. During August chaired the tenth Convention held at Southport. He was an excellent Grand Primo and President of Convention and conducted all his meetings in a very able manner. he did however have a habit of making contradictory statements which often appeared very funny, such as "We have not all come here to this meeting just to talk."
The Merthyr Province members honoured him by opening a Lodge that bore his name, when the Henry Thomas Lodge 3259 was opened in Dowlais. However at the same time in the early 1920's, he with other members from Aberdare was very instrumental in forming the Aberdare Provincial Grand Lodge, such was founded in 1924. Brother Roger brought his high standards into his new Province. Many of his family were members of the Order and soon proved to be excellent members. The James Thomas Lodge 6998 was to be named after his nephew in the 1930's.
Brother Roger died in 1941 and following a very large funeral was laid to rest in the Old Lawn Cemetary at Aberdare. A large monumental headstone was duly inscribed and erected by the R.A.O.B. as a mark of their respect for him.
Brother Roger Henry Thomas was the first Grand Primo elected from within the Principality, his fellow Welshman who served with him in 1910 as Officers, also received that accolade and there have been quite a number elected since. He set a high standard as a member within his Minor Lodge, Provincial Grand Lodge and the Grand Lodge. A standard I am pleased to say has been emulated by his fellow countrymen that have followed in his footsteps over the years.
He had one other great love, besides that of his work for the Order and that was his great ability of playing the Harp. He was a Welsh Druid and was created a Bard. He played at many of the Welsh Eisteddfods under his Bardic name of "Telynor Dar". Other members of his family over the years had or still have that same talent.
Brother Roger Henry Thomas R.O.H. was, truly a man of worth.
