Gordon was born in 1931 in Lurgan, Co. Armagh, to Samuel and Elizabeth Leatham, one of their two children. He attended Lurgan Model School, followed by Lurgan Technical College. In 1946, upon completing his education at the Technical College, he began his career as an apprentice Maintenance Fitter at Bessbrook Spinning Company. Demonstrating a natural aptitude for engineering, Gordon later worked as a Toolroom Fitter for Short Bros & Harland Ltd. at their Hawlmark Factory in Newtownards.
Gordon joined the Northern Ireland Civil Service in 1956, rising through the ranks to a senior management role over his 34-year career. Gordon was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of his many years of service to the community.
Sport has always been a significant part of Gordon’s life. He was a Judo enthusiast, representing Northern Ireland in the 1950s and teaching self-defence. He also enjoyed swimming, sub-aqua diving with underwater explosives, and playing squash during its peak in the 1980s.
After retiring, Gordon had a 40-foot cruiser built in the Channel Islands and spent summers cruising around North Scotland with his family. Gordon’s lifelong passion is Freemasonry. He is known widely on the island of Ireland, and a lot further afield as one of the most accomplished freemasons in Irish Masonic History.
There are very few individuals who can claim as comprehensive a Masonic CV as S.Gordon Leatham BEM.
Gordon Leatham’s Masonic CV Highlights
Craft Freemasonry
He was initiated into Unity Masonic Lodge No.443 on the 6th February 1957. He served in all of the progressive offices and became Worshipful Master in 1964. He also served as Secretary and Director of Ceremonies (in charge of Lodge ritual and ceremonial). He served a second term as Worshipful Master in 2007, in the year he celebrated 50 years in the Masonic Order.
Gordon was nominated to Provincial Grand Lodge of Down in 1979 serving as a Provincial Inspector. Grand Lodge honours were bestowed in 1993 when Gordon served in the office of Grand Master’s Standard Bearer, he was later invested as Grand Senior Warden in 2016.
Gordon joined several other Craft Lodge’s and was also an honorary member of several others including; Antrim Lodge of Installed Masters No.218, Union Lodge No.36, and Services Lodge 1994. He served as the representative at the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, USA in 1998.
Royal Arch Freemasonry
Gordon has always been a very capable and knowledgeable Royal Arch Mason. He joined Unity Royal Arch Chapter No.443 in 1960 and served as Excellent King in 1970. He was nominated to join the District Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Down as High Priest in 1987. He progressed through various office’s ultimately becoming District Grand King of Down in 1992 a role he held for 10 years.
Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter honours were bestowed in 1987 when Gordon served as Grand High Priest, he held the offices of Assistant Grand King and Deputy Grand King. On the 19th September 2018, Gordon was installed as the Most Excellent & Supreme Grand King, of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland, the titular head of the order. Gordon retired from his role as Grand King in 2022.
Knight Templar Freemasonry
Gordon was invited to join Knight Templar Freemasonry in 1972 when he was initiated into Belvoir Preceptory sitting in Holywood. He became the Eminent Preceptor of Belvoir Preceptory in 1983.
Gordon was a fundamental driving force behind the establishment of the Provincial Priory of South Ulster, constituted in November 2005. He was installed as the first High & Very Eminent Prior of South Ulster at the constitution ceremony. He held this leadership position until 2015.
He was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Temple (GCT) in recognition of his service to the order.
Gordon has been a member of the Great Priory of Ireland since 1995 when he was appointed as Aide-de-Camp to the Grand Master, the rank of Deputy Grand Marshal was bestowed in 1998, with Gordon ultimately becoming the Grand Marshal.
Knight Masonry
Gordon was invited to join the Council of Knight Masonry in 1962 when he joined Ards Council No.48 sitting in Newtownards. He served as Excellent Chief in 1970. He has been a member of the Grand Council of Knight Masons of Ireland since 1980 and held the ranks of Grand Chief’s Standard Bearer and Grand Senior Knight. He was awarded the rank of Grand Knight Mason in 2015.
Prince Masonry & The Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree, Ancient & Accepted Rite for Ireland
Gordon was invited to join The Province of Down Chapter (No.14) of Prince Masons in 1977. He held the office of Most Wise Sovereign in 1986. He progressed through this very exclusive order receiving his Knights of the Sun 28° in 1985. The 30° in 1989, his 31° in 1993, he received Princes of The Royal Secret 32° in 1997. He was elevated to the Supreme Council of the 33° Ancient & Accepted Rite for Ireland in 1999
Gordon finally served as the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, of the Supreme Council of the 33° the titular head of this Masonic body, from 2008 until 2022.
The CV highlights Gordon’s Masonic career: it excludes the numerous honorary awards and memberships in various branches of the order. Gordon has one of the most impressive Masonic CVs in Irish Freemasonry.
It is a remarkable privilege and honour to reach the pinnacle of any of the Grand branches of Irish Freemasonry, to serve as the titular head of two branches at the same time is truly unique.
Gordon (at the time of writing) is in his 94th year and is still an active Freemason with over 66 years of service. He regularly attends his mother Lodge, Unity Masonic Lodge No.443, and recounts with pride when he first became a Mason back in 1957 in Newtownards, in Friendship Masonic Hall. He has not forgotten his masonic roots.
