Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (ROAB)

The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB)

The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) is a fraternal organisation that was founded in England in 1822. The organisation is also known as the Order of Buffaloes, or simply the Buffs. The RAOB is a charity-focused organisation, and its members, known as Buffaloes, are committed to helping those in need and supporting various charitable causes.

The organisation was founded by a group of working-class men who were looking for a way to provide support and community for each other. At the time, many working-class men struggled with poverty and a lack of access to social services, and the RAOB's founders saw the need for an organisation that could help address these issues.

The original name was the "Ancient Order of Buffaloes," and it was originally intended for working-class men only. However, it quickly evolved to admit all working men regardless of their profession and also opened to women in certain countries.

The RAOB's founders chose the name "Antediluvian" to convey the idea that the organisation was ancient and honorable. The name "Buffalo" was chosen to represent strength and fortitude and was intended to symbolise the organisation's commitment to helping its members through difficult times. The "Royal" in the name "Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes" (RAOB) refers to the fact that the organisation has been granted a royal charter by the British monarchy. A royal charter is a document that grants an organisation certain privileges and rights and is considered a symbol of prestige and honour.

King George V granted the RAOB its royal charter in 1913, recognizing the group as a benevolent society and officially acknowledging its contributions to society. This was granted as a recognition of the good deeds and charitable acts of the RAOB.

Having "Royal" in the name is a mark of prestige for the RAOB and reflects the organisation's status as a respected and established charity. It also gives the organisation certain privileges, such as being able to use the word "Royal" in its name and displaying the royal coat of arms.

The RAOB is one of several fraternal organisations in the United Kingdom that hold a royal charter, which is rare and considered a significant achievement.

As a fraternal organisation, and like many such organisations, it has its own set of rituals and ceremonies. These rituals are typically intended to provide a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among members, and they often include elements of symbolism and ritual.

Famous Members

NOTE TO EDITORS: verification needed!

There have been several famous and notable individuals who have been members of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB). Some examples include:

• Sir Winston Churchill: He was a member of the RAOB, which was the largest men's club of his time, joining the organization in 1908 and remaining an active member throughout his life.

• Sir Harry Lauder: He was a famous Scottish entertainer, singer, and comedian and was also a member of the RAOB.

• Sir Billy Butlin: He was a British businessman, the founder of Butlins holiday camps and also a member of the RAOB.

• Sir Alan Sugar: He is a businessman and television personality and also a member of the RAOB.

These are just a few examples of the famous and notable individuals who have been members of the RAOB. While it is difficult to verify the membership of all individuals, particularly historical figures, it is clear that the organisation has had a diverse membership throughout its history, with members from a wide range of backgrounds and professions.

It's worth noting that, while having famous members can bring attention and prestige to an organisation, it's not the main focus of the RAOB, which is mainly focused on providing support and assistance to its members and charitable causes.

Motto

The RAOB's motto is "Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence," and these values are central to the organization's mission. The RAOB raises money for various charities through events and fundraisers, and members are encouraged to volunteer their time and resources to support charitable causes. The RAOB also provides financial assistance to members and their families in times of need.

Organisational Structure

The RAOB is structured as a hierarchical organization, with different levels of membership and responsibilities. Members progress through the ranks by fulfilling certain requirements and by being elected by their peers. The highest level of membership is that of Grand Primo, and the Grand Primo is the organization's leader.

The RAOB is organized into local lodges, which are called "circles." Circles are the basic unit of the organization and are responsible for organizing events and fundraisers and for supporting local charitable causes. There are currently over 6,000 circles of the RAOB in the UK, and also overseas as well, in places such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, which have their own Grand Lodges,

Summary

The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB) is a fraternal organization that was founded in England in 1822. The organization is committed to friendship, charity, and benevolence and supports various charitable causes. The RAOB is structured as a hierarchical organization, with different levels of membership and responsibilities, and is organized into local lodges called "circles."