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From 1925 until 1986 there was an RAOB lodge functioning in Market Drayton named in honour of one 'Eustace Bowles. His Story is interesting. here is a short version

Eustace Bowles was born Eustace Parker

born in Bix Oxford on July 5th 1884. 

He was the son of The Reverend Algernon Parker and Emma Jane Kenyon. He was baptised by his father, The Vicar of the parish of Bix (St James) on July 27th. 1884 

ALGERNON Parker, his father, was the son of The Earl of Macclesfield and  
Mary Frances Parker, nee Grosvenor, Countess of Macclesfield    Thus Eustace was the grandson of The Earl( and Countess of Macclesfield

Eustace Parker  was married in 1913 to Wilma, Mary, Garnault, Bowles. (b 1919 d1987)

Thus the family name 'Parker Bowles' was born.

However Eustace took his wife's name and from then on was known as Eustace Bowles.                                                                From the time of his marriage until his death he lived in Market Drayton. He was a practicing solicitor

It is recorded that although he lived  at 'Farcroft', Market Drayton, he died at The Raven Hotel in Shrewsbury

His wife and children assumed the name Parker Bowles

They had two children Derek Henry Parker Bowles 1916-1977 and Daphne 1918-1995  Daphne married Algernon Heber Percy. They  Divorced in 1951 and she then married “Baron Poole of Aldgate in The City of London”

In 1939  Derek Parker Bowles married Ann de Trafford 1918-1987 (Dame Ann Parker Bowles CBE (De Trafford) died Jan 1987                         

Eldest son of Derek and Ann,  Andrew Parker Bowles 1939-2009 Grandson of Eustace Bowles married Camilla Rosemary Shand- They Divorced in 1995.  Camilla married Charles The Prince of Wales, in 2005. Eight years after the death of his wife Princes Dianna.

Camilla (born Camilla Rosemary Shand, later Parker Bowles, 17 July 1947) A grandaughter by marriage of Eustace Bowles  is Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other Commonwealth realms as the wife of King Charles III. Camilla became queen consort on 8 September 2022, upon the accession of her husband following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

I have been associated with The Buffs since the day I first opened my eyes. My Father was a Buff but sadly lost his life in a road accident when he was thirty and I was seven. Later My Mother married again and my stepfather was an enthusiastic member of The Order.  His maxim was that the principles of Buffaloism were not just for the Lodge but should be practiced within the home and at the work place.  That is what he did.. Our home was full of Justice ,Truth , Philanthropy, Brotherly love and Good fellowship. That is why I am so disappointed to witness the speedy demise of The Order 

 

 

 

 

" My dad`s overcoat ".

My dad`s old coat was on my bed, when I was but a lad, I used it for a blanket, that coat from my old dad, I didn`t realise then, what stories it could tell, How that coat, and my old dad, had been halfway to hell.

It was a big brown serge overcoat, I didn`t know what it was for, It was the one my dad bought home with him after discharge from the war, Too  proud to speak about it, he never told me why, Although from in my bedroom, I often heard him cry.

His tears were for the sights he`d seen and the horrors of that place, The sights and sounds that haunted him and left a sadness on his face, He never could forget it, - it was always on his mind, The slaughter and the madness, - and the pals he`d left behind.

He would march round to the Cenotaph and stand there, - on parade, Then spend that time reflecting on the orders he`d obeyed, That sent him forth to fight for us and Hitler`s evil smote, My dad, - his pals, - their army, - and his brown overcoat .

God bless you dad and all of you who fought for our freedom !.Mick.