PANMURE LODGE 715

.THE HALL STONE JEWEL

 The following is a short explanation to supplement the usual address given at

Installation meetings of these lodges when the Hall Stone Jewel and collaret is transferred

from the Master to his successor.

In June 1919, Grand Lodge held an especial meeting at the Royal Albert Hall to

celebrate peace to the world after the Great War. The Grand Master, The Duke of

Connaught expressed a wish that a memorial be erected as a fitting honour to the

many brethren who made the supreme sacrifice during the four years of hostilities.

Such a memorial would be a new central home to accommodate the continued growth

of Freemasonry to be erected “in this Metropolis of the Empire dedicated to the Most

High and worthy of the great traditions of the United Grand Lodge of England…”

The Masonic Million Memorial Fund was then launched, and all brethren in the

English Constitution were encouraged to contribute the one million pounds necessary

to build and furnish the new ‘Masonic Peace Memorial’ in Great Queen Street, which

was eventually opened 14 years later in 1933. Contributions from brethren and lodges

at home and overseas were to be recognised by the presentation of a commemorative

jewel, to be called the Hall Stone Jewel. Bro. Cyril Spackman won a competition for

its design. The jewel is in the form of a cross, symbolising sacrifice and on the sides

are inscribed the dates 1914 – 1918, four years in which that sacrifice was made. In

the centre, is a winged figure representing peace, supporting a Temple. The medal is

suspended by the square and compasses: two of the great emblematical lights in

Freemasonry.

The medals were produced in three sizes. The smallest was a breast jewel suspended

on a dark blue ribbon. 10 guineas or more purchased a silver one, 100 guineas or more

purchased a gold one. A combined total of 53,244 such medals were issued to

individuals. The jewels awarded to lodges were of gilt finished silver appended to a

light blue collaret and are worn by masters of lodges that contributed an average of 10

guineas per member. Such lodges are known as ‘Hall Stone Lodges’ and of 1321 that

originally qualified, 88 were overseas. These lodges have their names and numbers

inscribed on the marble wall panels in the Vestibule at Freemasons’ Hall.

The largest Hall Stone Jewel is of 18 ct. gold and coloured enamels. Only 3 were ever

awarded. Two Districts, Japan and Burma, and one Province, Buckinghamshire,

qualified by contributing an average of 500 guineas per lodge. In further recognition

of their achievement, rooms 11, 12 & 17 in Freemasons’ Hall were named after them.

Lodges which have attained the Hall Stone distinction have amply

contributed to an enduring legacy, and Masters of those lodges

should consider it an honour to wear that permanent reminder of

their lodge’s contribution which financed the rebuilding of

Freemasons’ Hall in “the Metropolis of the Empire”.

Hall Stone Jewel

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The Masonic Million Memorial Fund Commemorative Jewel, issued to individual subscribers. The design was described at the time as follows:

“The jewel is in the form of a cross, symbolising Sacrifice, with a perfect square at the four ends, on the left and right squares being the dates 1914-1918, the years in which the supreme sacrifice was made. Between these is a winged figure of Peace presenting the representation of a Temple with special Masonic allusion in the Pillars, Porch and Steps. The medal is suspended by the Square and Compasses, attached to a ribband, the whole thus symbolising the Craft’s gift of a Temple in memory of those brethren who gave all for King and Country, Peace and Victory, Liberty and Brotherhood.”