The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes

Welcome to the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB)! Known affectionately by our members as "The Buffs," we are one of the largest fraternal organizations in the United Kingdom, with a rich history stretching back to 1822. Our movement began in the Harp Tavern in London, founded by actors and stagehands who wanted to create a community for fellowship and mutual support.

From those early days, our Order has grown into a global brotherhood. As members traveled for work and life, they established new lodges wherever they went. By the end of the 19th century, the Buffaloes had spread across the world, reaching as far as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, and beyond.

Our core purpose is to foster fellowship, mutual social enjoyment, and a strong spirit of brotherhood. We are a non-political and non-religious fraternity, welcoming men from all walks of life. Our meetings are a place of harmony and camaraderie, where we cultivate a sense of community and keep our cherished traditions alive.

While not a registered friendly society, charity has always been at the heart of our mission. For much of our history, Buffalo Lodges raised funds to assist sick and indigent members and their families. This benevolent spirit led to the establishment of orphanages and convalescent homes, and today, our members' voluntary giving continues to support various charitable causes.

Our Latin motto, "Nemo Mortalium Omnibus Horis Sapit" ("No Man Is At All Times Wise"), perfectly captures our humble yet fun-loving spirit. Our maxim of "Justice, Truth and Philanthropy" guides our actions, while the Grand Lodge of England's motto—"In things Essential Unity, In things Doubtful Liberty and in all things Charity"—reminds us of our core principles.

Our History: A Legacy of Brotherhood

The story of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes began with a group of actors and stagehands in a London tavern in 1822. From a small club in the Harp Tavern, Drury Lane, the movement quickly spread. Early lodges like Adelphi, Apollo, and The Grand Surrey were among the first to form under the Grand Primo Lodge England.

The leadership of the Order was established early on, with the first Grand Primos serving from 1866. Notable early leaders included Bro. G.T. Wright and Bro. E Scates. A well-known member from this time was Charles Vivian, an actor who would later become a key founder of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in the United States.

As members traveled, the Buffaloes spread around the globe. By the end of the 19th century, lodges had been established in many places, including:

• Australia

• New Zealand

• South Africa

• Canada

• Northern Ireland

• Scotland

• The Middle East

• India

• Africa

• Gibraltar

• Cyprus

A fun piece of trivia: Albion Lodge No. 1 in Liverpool holds the top spot on the Grand Lodge of England's roll today, but it wasn't the first. Its number was re-designated during a renumbering of lodges in the 1920s, a testament to our long and evolving history.

The 20th Century: Expansion and Service

The turn of the century saw a period of significant growth for the Order. In 1901, the first lodge in Scotland, Clan Ord, was opened, followed by others in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The movement's benevolent spirit was formalized with the opening of its first orphanage, Aldridge, in 1904, a project entirely funded by a small registration fee from every member.

The First World War brought both challenges and a chance to serve. Many lodges temporarily closed as members enlisted. The Buffs supported the war effort by supplying and operating a fleet of up to 22 motorized ambulances to bring wounded soldiers back from the front lines. In a unique chapter of our history, three Buffalo Lodges were even formed in the back of these ambulances. After the war, these ambulances went on to form the first ambulance service in England.

Post-war, the Order continued to expand globally. New lodges were established at a remarkable pace, reaching over 3,000 in number by the end of 1919 and 4,000-5,000 in the 1920s. Lodges were opened in far-flung locations, including Iraq at a Royal Air Force base, and Germany in connection with the British Armed Forces. Lodges were also attached to several Royal Naval ships, highlighting our connection to the armed forces.

In 1926, the Order purchased Grove House in Harrogate for use as a second orphanage, a testament to the members' charitable dedication. As the state later took over responsibility for orphans, the Order began a new charity fund that is still in place today.

The Second World War again saw lodges supporting the war effort. The Order offered Grove House for use as a military hospital, and a few unique lodges were formed in extraordinary circumstances, such as the Changi Prisoner of War Lodge and the Hohenfels Lodge in Stalag 383.

The post-war years marked a golden age for the Buffaloes, with membership and the number of lodges reaching their peak. Our reach extended further into West Germany, Japan, Korea, and other parts of Asia, particularly at British Armed Forces bases. The movement has seen a decline since the 1970s due to social changes and the reduction in the size of the British Armed Forces, but our most historic lodges, such as Albion No. 1 in Liverpool, continue to thrive.

R U MAN ENOUGH?