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Many thanks for your reply, Kevin.

I haven't come across any mention of a lodge in the Poplar area, either, so far... but I'll keep my fingers crossed that some info will turn up!

I'll try and get hold of a clearer image... unfortunately the jewel is currently in a nursing home in Ireland (!), so isn't easily accessible.  Maybe some more work on Photoshop will throw up some more detail... I'll have a go!

Well, even if I never manage to find out any more about my great-grandad's involvement, at least it has been very interesting reading all the information about the RAOB, of which I previously knew nothing.

Thanks again.

Best wishes
Siobhan

Hello

I have recently discovered that my great-grandfather was a member of the RAOB, and I have now been sent the attached photographs of a medal/jewel (sorry, I don't know the distinction!) which is in the possession of my mother's cousin.

I have been reading about the RAOB, and its history, and have been looking for similar items on sites like e-bay, but I have not yet had any luck finding out more about this particular medal/jewel, or about the likely background to my great-grandfather's membership.

I cannot make out the entire inscription on the reverse, other than "presented by.... to Bro. William Jones, Dec 18, 1895".  My great-grandfather was born in 1863, and went to work in the shipyard in Millwall (Isle of Dogs/Poplar) in the mid-1880s, working there until his death in 1900.  (Incidentally, William Jones was the name by which he was known at the time, although it was not his real name!)  He lived in Millwall, but I don't know where the nearest lodge would have been.  I'm thinking somewhere in Poplar... does anyone know if there was one there?

Any help, hints, etc, would be gratefully received.

Many thanks,
Siobhan