Banned jewels
By VW Bro Neil Wynes Morse
Banned and bygone A banned jewel The official history of this United Grand Lodge states: When the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution celebrated its centenary in 1980 it produced a Centenary Jewel and presented one to each District Grand Inspector of Workings and to the two Grand Inspectors. At the September 1984 Grand Lodge Communication the wearing of it by brethren representing the Grand Master at masonic meetings or functions was prohibited as this jewel had not been approved by Grand Lodge on the recommendation of the Board of General Purposes. A member of the Board of General Purposes at the time had a slightly different recollection: In 1979 the Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution proposed that a commemorative jewel be struck and distributed to
incumbent District Grand Inspectors of Workings in 1980. This jewel would mark the centenary of the Institution. It was to be worn by DGIWs when fostering district charitable activities.
The presumed alternative version of the proposed Centenary Jewel
The proposal to manufacture and issue the jewel was put before the Board of General Purposes. It was not approved. The project was not pursued further. But recently another FBI jewel has come to light. It may well be another version of the proposed Centenary Jewel for DGIWs. Clarifications, explanations and memories should be shared with the editor.
And a bygone badge In the early 1930s, Bro Maxwell Carroll was a member of the Grand Lodge Choir. He sang the second bass part.
It seems that, as a member of the choir, he was entitled to a Grand Lodge Choir badge. His badge number was 1. On 15 March 1931 he is believed to have prepared to retire from the choir. To that end he prepared an envelope containing his badge (wrapped in cotton wool) addressed to the Secretary of the Grand Lodge Choir and enclosing a receipt for signature, and return, by the secretary. The envelope and its enclosures were never forwarded to the Secretary of the Grand Lodge Choir. It is unknown how many choir badges were issued. But there can only be one ‘Number One’.
Bro Maxwell Carroll’s ‘No 1’ choir badge, card and note of receipt dated 1931.
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December 2021
Humility – Kindness – Generosity Freemason
