Came across councillor Duncan looking through my 1915 newspaper copies. Quite a high flyer in the Oddfellows Order, which had an astonishing 500 members in the Amble area.
COUN. J.T. DUNCAN, AMBLE.
Elected Grand Master of National Independent Order of Oddfellows.
This week Councillor John T. Duncan has brought honour to Amble, also to the whole Berwick on Tweed District of the National Independent Order of oddfellows, by his unanimous election to the influential position of Grand Master of the Order. His nomination and installation took place at Berwick on Monday at the Annual Movable Conference. He is no “small potato” who is looked up to with confidence and respect by a society of 100,000 members. Such at
persona gratissima is Councillor Duncan today, and we join in the congratulations with have been extended to him. For 12 months he has been Deputy Grand Master. At length his force of character, activities in local affairs, knowledge of social problems and debating abilities have brought a well merited reward. Mr Duncan has been an enthusiastic worker in the cause of Oddfellowship in this district. He was initiated into the “Loyal Charles Percy Lodge”at Amble in 1908 and pass through the various offices and chairs. He is well known at District Meetings, and was elected G.M.of the Berwick District.
The Amble Lodge of 500 members is the strongest in this district, and he is secretary of it. He has attended a dozen of the Annual Conferences of the order, in his discussions he has played a useful part. He was elected a member of the Executive Committee of the order 3 years ago. Mr Duncan is a printer and stationer. He served as apprenticeship with the late Henry Hunter Blair of Alnwick, when the “Alnwick Mercury” was published by Mr Blair. Since returning to his native town of Amble (where he has been in business for over 20 years), he has been on the Urban Council for 16 years and has been chairman of that body. He is one of the original members of the Old Age Pension Committee of Alnwick District. He was a member of the County Provisional Committee under the National Insurance Act and is now on the District Sub-Committee.
Mr Duncan is an active member of the Freemasons craft and has been W.M.of both the Morpeth and Amble lodges. He has interested himself in sports and various matters for the welfare of Amble