THE HALL STONE JEWEL
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”.
T G Lockhart PAGSuptWks.
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”.
T G Lockhart PAGSuptWks.