Shepherds Bush Lodge

W Bro Paul Gardner writes:

Hiram Lodge No 2416 undertook a fine gesture and, with the permission of the United Grand Lodge of England, made available to Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the 1^st World War a ‘card’ requesting fair treatment should they be captured.    

Hiram along with over 300 other Lodges after the Great War contributed to the Masonic Million Fund to rebuild Freemasons’ Hall along with other Projects as a memorial to the fallen and achieved Hall Stone Jewel status.

The Installing Master, when transferring the Warrant and the Hall Stone Jewel to the Incoming Master, in 2025 gave a brief history as to the significance of Hiram's particular Jewel and Heavy Maul.

Hiram’s Jewel is said to be one of only two Hall Stone Lodges cast in gold, not silver. This was to signify the Importance of Hiram in the building of the current Freemasons' Hall in Great Queen St. They provided the architects that designed the building. The other Lodge (name unknown) provided the actual builders for the building. The Heavy Maul of Hiram was used to lay the first Foundation Stone of the Hall and has subsequently been used at every third degree undertaken by Hiram. The Emulation Ritual gives the words for presentation:

“I now present to you that which was conferred by the MW the Grand Master, you will observe its form is symbolic dates 1914 – 1918 four years of supreme sacrifice. In the centre is a winged figure of peace supporting a temple; this symbolises the gift made by the English craft of a new temple in memory of those Brethren who made the supreme sacrifice for king and country.”

And…

In wearing that jewel it fulfils a dual purpose, firstly it provides visible evidence that the Lodge discharged its obligation to the fraternity and, secondly it should ever provide inspiration for every brother to put service before self.

It is passed on from Master to Master at times of Installation and therefore will adorn the Master until time with us will be no more.

The Jewel is worn with pride and passed from Master to Master to retain the memory of the great sacrifice. It was awarded to Lodges and individuals who contributed financially to the Masonic Million Memorial Fund which raised £1.3m and built Freemasons’ Hall in London and supported schemes in the Provinces.

Those Lodges that achieved the subscription level also had their Lodge name inscribed on the memorial wall in the vestibule.

Those who were Masons who gave the great sacrifice are recorded and remembered in the Memorial Chest Scroll below the Commemorate window and in the accompanying book.

The chest reveals many Lodges losing numbers and acknowledging the military Lodges. The University Lodges suffered the most, being the cradle of the young and willing officer class. Apollo, Oxford No 357 recorded 58 and Isaac Newton No 859, 16, most leading from the front into the fray.

Each contributing Lodge was provided with a book of the names in the chest beneath the window remembering those who had made the final sacrifice. Fortunately, it seems, Hiram Lodge didn’t lose any Brothers in arms.

The figures display an average 784 per decade and double in the decades around World Wars. Assumedly, the membership figures would show a similar picture – Masonry is said to be cyclical and the situation outlined acerbates it.

The beautiful stained glass window depicts the winged figure of peace holding a representation of the portico of Freemasons' Hall. The jewels have a facsimile of a Greco-Roman temple instead, as the building's final design was not known at the time of the jewels being struck. The design artist was Cyril Spackman.

The First World War was the war to end all wars, and it nearly did with the annihilation of over 5.1 million troops, British and Commonwealth and Allied plus over 3 million unaccounted for and millions wounded.   The number of British soldiers killed is estimated to be 760,000. The Western Front was to become the focus but other theatres such as the Eastern Front for the Russians, allies of the British, was horrendous. Early in 1915 came the Dardenelles; and Gallipoli being the Crimea of 50 years before. This was the soft underbelly of Europe, planned to take pressure off the western front as the First Sea Lord planned, but ended in failure.

A time of great service dawned, and Hiram came forward with an amazing and inspirational gesture. They produced a ‘Card’ in five languages to be issued to Masons sent abroad to fight in the conflict. It was approved by the Grand Lodge. 

This depiction is the card, double-sided, in five languages:

It is unknown how many were issued, how many lives may have been saved or how much succour given, however, this act of forethought and consideration needs to be remembered as a significant part of the history of Hiram Lodge No 2416.

Surprisingly, the Library at Freemasons’ Hall does not have, nor have listed, a copy of the Lodge’s history – should one exist. However, attribution is given for the information in the ‘Lodge File’ held at FMH which is very limited and mainly includes correspondence for their application for a Warrant in 1891.

The Masonic Million Fund contributors’ wall remains a remembrance in perpetuity.

The Lodge now moves forward repurposed as a Special Interest Lodge (SIL) in 2025, for the Kachchh Region of India. It will undoubtedly build on its past achievements and prosper hopefully in a more peaceful World.                                                                                                                                                                                          

This article is part of Arena Magazine Issue 60 – Spring 2026.
Arena Magazine is the official online magazine of the London Freemasons – Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter of London.

Read more articles in Arena Issue 60 here.

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