This Past Master’s Breast Jewel was presented by the Brethren of the Lodge to the 9th (Nonus in Latin) Master of the Lodge, W Bro Stonen William Hunt, on 18th November 1905. The practice of presenting such jewels to a Master on conclusion of his term of office is well established but if subsequently he receives Provincial or London Honours it is traditionally “not done” to wear it with his new regalia. What he then does with it is his business but many Past Masters return it to the Lodge so that it can be re-issued to another new Past Master. The cost of having new jewels made today is quite expensive, so returning them has a beneficial effect on Lodge finances! This particular jewel was eventually re-issued to W Bro Rufus E Moyle, 76th Master, in November 1972. It is currently the oldest surviving Past Master’s Breast Jewel that the Lodge has in its possession.

This Past Master’s Breast Jewel was presented to the 12th (Duodecimus) Master, W Bro Arthur Fillmore, on 21st November 1908. After long service as Secretary of the Lodge, he died in 1940 and all trace of this jewel was lost for 66 years. It was eventually found by a Masonic memorabilia collector, himself a Mason, as being for sale, and he bought and offered it to the Lodge. Accordingly, it was purchased from him in April 2006. Not surprisingly, the once blue ribbon has badly faded over the years. Currently, it is the second oldest such jewel in the possession of the Lodge.

The Hall Stone Jewel. Shortly after the First World War (then known as ‘The Great War’) Grand Lodge decided, in response to a suggestion from the then MW The Grand Master, to build a new headquarters for the English Craft as a memorial to the many brethren who had given their lives during the War. For this purpose an appeal was made to every member of the Constitution for contributions to the fund which came to be known as the Masonic Million Memorial Fund. Contributions were to be entirely voluntary and were to be recognised by special commemorative medals, or jewels. There was one type for each of the three categories of subscribers, of the same basic design but of different sizes and precious metals. For our purposes the medal pictured here, in gold on a light blue collarette, was to be worn by successive Masters of lodges contributing an average of ten guineas per member, such lodges to be known as Hall Stone Lodges, thus giving the jewel its name. 1,321 lodges at home and abroad qualified as Hall Stone Lodges, their names and numbers being inscribed on commemorative marble panels in the main ceremonial entrance vestibule of Freemasons’ Hall. Herga Lodge is proud to be amongst their number. The jewel is worn by the Master as part of his Masonic clothing and he transfers it to his successor on nights of Installation.