RAOB Lodge 8585
In common with several other large British ocean liners, there was a Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes Lodge on board Caronia. My recollections of the RAOB, as a lad of 18 at the time, are quite vague. Certainly, the Caronia RAOB lodge were very active aboard, mostly raising funds for displaced seamen, and other seamen's charities.
I suppose that the reason that my recollections are so vague is because whenever I made enquiries, there was always an aura of mystery surrounding their activities and apparently you could only join if you were “invited.” What made it all the more curious was that nobody, but nobody, would ever admit to being a “Buff!”
Certainly I remember seeing the regular notices of future meetings, usually held in Caronia's gym. Despite all this, these guys were very active and definitely formed part of Caronia's history. One of the highlights of their calendar was the Annual Buffs Ball, held for Officers and crew.
[Left:]
The RAOB Gold Jewel.
This item is enamelled within a gilded silver backing. On the reverse there are hallmarks of
an Anchor, Lion and “W” with a makers mark of FC. The hallmarking shows the jewel was assayed
at Birmingham in 1947, ready to have its enamelling applied later. The maker's mark “FC” belongs
to F:C: Parry Ltd, Birmingham.
This ball was usually held in late September or early October in the Sandringham Restaurant during the Autumn Mediterranean Cruise. As soon as the last passengers had been served their dinner, all the tables in the centre of the restaurant would be unbolted and taken out into the galley.
A live band, made up from various crew members, would install themselves just inside the main doors. Within an hour, the room would be decorated and completely transformed into the equivalent of an elegant floating night-club. Needless to say, we all dressed for the occasion!
[Left:]
Rear of another RAOB Jewel
This is the rear of another hallmarked jewel: It was made by L: Simpson (London) Ltd. and
presented to Bro. T. O'shea in December 1955. The date confirms that R.A.O.B. activities were also
conducted ashore in Southampton when Caronia was under annual overhaul.
At the other end, nearest the galley, a fabulous buffet would be laid on, almost equalling those prepared for the passengers. After the ball, at around 2am, all the removed tables would be returned to the restaurant and bolted back into place on the deck and then laid-up for breakfast.
All of the preparations mentioned above, along with the drinks service was provided by the Brothers, making this event another enjoyable highlight of life on board. So, whilst they may have been reticent at disclosing their membership, there were certainly enough members to arrange a really fabulous night!
Explanation of RAOB Abbreviations
My thanks go to Bob Philpott, an RAOB Historian from South Wales, for providing the information below.
The R.A.O.B is a three level organisation.
- M.L - Minor Lodges (Local membership)
- P.G.L - Provincial Grand Lodges (Govern Minor Lodges within a defined boundary)
- G.L - Grand Lodges (Govern Provinces within its own G.L.) as there are various Grand Lodges in the UK and other countries
All these come under a G.A. - Governing Authority
Male only Organisation.
There are Four Degrees of Membership as listed below. Each has a colour for its own degree regalia.
- Kangaroo (First Degree) All initiated members of the RAOB
- C.P - Certified Primo. (Second Degree) A member who can control a Minor Lodge. Has to be a member at least 1 year and pass an examination on the Rules of the RAOB, etc.
- K.O.M - Knight of Merit (Third Degree) Eligible after being a CP for three years
- R.O.H - Roll of Honour (Fourth Degree) Eligible after being a KOM five years
- W.P - Worthy Primo (Chairman of a Minor Lodge) who is elected monthly, however in some cases Minor Lodges elect on a three monthly basis
Only C.P. and above can attend a P.G.L.
A 1st Degree can attend a G.L. but only as a visitor, to speak or vote must be C.P. or higher.
There are other sections or levels within a P.G.L. such as Knights Chapter or Roll of Honour Assembly.
Ceremony of the 2nd Degree in 1962
One of the RAOB artefacts I've managed to obtain is a meeting programme . At first no date could be established for this. However, this being a celebration of the 13th Anniversary of the Caronia Lodge gives us our first clue by placing it at circa 1962.
Thanks to Bob Philpott who has confirmed that in the early 1960s the Caronia Lodge met on Sundays, on board ship when at sea, and also ashore when this could be arranged. The Ceremony of the Second Degree shown was officiated by the Israel Governing Authority (G.A.). The Israel PGL had three Lodges at that time and all of them met in Jerusalem.
The Inducting Officer at this celebration was assisted by members of the Israel G.A. and supported by members of the Caronia Lodge. This could only mean that the meeting was held when Caronia was in Haifa. Caronia's only call at Haifa during 1962 was an overnight stay on 04 November 1962, which now confirms the date.
