The Lodge emblem depicts the Semaphore Tower situated on Telegraph

Hill in Claygate.

These were part of a communication link between the Admiralty in London

to the Royal Navy dockyard in Portsmouth. 15 stations were built in 1822

which enabled a message to be transmitted from London to the coast in

less than 1 hour. Messages could only be transmitted during daylight hours

and in good weather conditions.

They were staffed by ex naval personnel and their families who lived in.

The introduction of electricity and the telegraph system rendered the

Semaphore system obsolete and after 23 years of service they were closed

in 1847.

Many stations were subsequently vandalised and the sites redeveloped. The

Claygate station was among those vandalised and nearly suffered the same

fate. However it was sold in the 1970's and converted to a private house

after the semaphore masts were dismantled.

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The Lodge Banner was presented to the Lodge by W. Bro. Orville Westlake as its first Master

       The Semaphore station seen here converted to a private house.

The Semaphore Station in 1822