Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes

This mug belonged to Bill Walters (Charles William Walters, 1923-1993) of Manor Road, Wickhamford. His father, Robert William Walters (1890-1958), was a member of the Badsey Lodge of the Royal Antediluvian Order of the Buffaloes, known as the 'Ernie Thomas' Lodge. The Order still exists and carries out much charitable work. The Ernie Thomas Lodge used to meet in the Royal Oak (now the Round of Gras) in a locked room - now the restaurant area. No women were allow at their meetings. Due to falling membership after the Second World War, the Ernie Thomas Lodge amalagamated with the Earl of Gainsborough Lodge in Chipping Campden. This branch eventually merged, in turn, with the Simon de Monmtfort Lodge in Evesham.

We are grateful to Val Harman for supplying us with a photo of this mug.