In his Masonic career M.E. Companion McCartney was highly respected and honoured for his outstanding service to Masonry in general but he devoted himself mainly to Royal Arch Masonry in Down. Masonic
Ritual and Ceremonial were his especial interests and he gave helpful and beneficial talks on these subjects.
He served for several years as Assistant Grand Registrar of Instruction. He was exalted in R.A.C. 457, was appointed as an Inspector in Down in 1948 and continued as such until 1975.
From 1970 until 1975 he was a District Grand Director of Ceremonies and this was followed by his appointment as District Deputy Grand King in December 1976.
In only another few months he was District Grand King. He was installed on 29th May 1977 and in his reference to this happening so soon after becoming District Deputy Grand King he said that fate had still another hand to play.
He was duly acclaimed as District Grand King but fate had a further part to play, sadly it was decreed that he would only be able to occupy the District Grand King’s chair on one occasion — in September 1977 at Newry.