Shown on the far left of the jewels, this is the first jewel awarded to recognise attendance and contribution to the work of the encampment over a period of 6 months. The jewel consists of an eight-pointed silver star bearing the initials KGH and mounted on a Blue ribbon at the head of which is the title "Attendance"
Companion (or Attendance) Jewel
Subject to making satisfactory progress in his encampment and having already being awarded the Companion or "Attendance" jewel, a comrade having served for at least 12 months will be eligible for promotion to Knight of the Order of the GUOKGH. The jewel , shown second left, with a Red and White ribbon and headed with the motto, Rege, Lege et Grege, confirms the holder as a fully capable member of the Order.
Knights Jewel: Knight of the GUOKGH
A Knight, having served a total of at least three years may be elected by his encampment to become a Knight of the Shield. This significant award allows the holder to be nominated for service as a member of the Grand Encampment and Grand Executive wherein he will take on responsibility for the management and governance of the Order. The jewel is a gold shield on a Cyan ribbon bearing the title Order of the Shield
Knight of the Order of the Shield (KOS)
The three higher degrees are awarded after time served in the Order. Blue: Sir Knight Counsellor (6 years total service); Red: Senior Sir Knight Counsellor (11 years total service) and Maroon: Arch Knight Counsellor (21 years total service).
SKC, SSKC and AKC Collarettes
Grand Camp Officers wear a Blue and Gold sash bearing the abbreviated form of their title. Additionally they wear a collarette and jewels to show their rank and any honours awarded. The picture shows the sash of the Immediate Past Grand Knight Commander (IPGKC) with the Sir Knight Counsellor Collarette and jewels (L-R) Past Grand Knight Commander, Encampment Scribe, Knight Order of the Shield, Knight of the KGH, Companion/Attendance, and Meritorious Service Jewel.
Grand Camp Officers' Blue and Gold Sash.
The Chain Collar A chain collar represents the responsibility and authority attached to the high rank of the Grand Knight Commander of the GUOKGH. It consists of two parts; the chain and the badge and has its origins in the livery collars of the Middle Ages and it reminds us of the oath of loyalty to the Crown and Constitution and duty to the Order. The chain which dates to before 1900, is made up of 20 linked pieces each having its own special significance: At the centre is a knight above a sword and axe. These are the symbols of his status and readiness for duty. The sword symbolises the dual concepts of life and death whist the axe is a symbol of readiness for battle or for work. At either side of the knight there is a silver shield bearing the initials KGH and these are bordered by the death’s head, a symbol of the KGH and which reminds us of our own mortality. The skull is surrounded by a garter bearing the motto “Nemo Mortalium Omnibus Horis Sapit” which from our origins within the RAOB and attributed to philosopher Desiderus Erasmus (1467-1536) means “no man can be at all times wise”. Next is a key symbol of the KGH, the horn of truth and power, dominion and glory. The acorns represent unlimited potential and oak leaves represent longevity, strength, endurance, power, justice and honesty. The hands of friendship remind us of the goodwill we show to others and our willingness to share what we have with those in need. The ouroborus or self-eating snake, is a sign of eternity, self-reliance and unity. Seen here with coiled rope it signifies enlightenment and tells the story of ignorance and reality when a man who in the darkness mistook the rope for a snake and ran away but in the light of day he saw the rope for what it truly was. The Badge, taken from the regalia of No 14 T A McCullagh Encampment (Bishop Auckland) inaugurated 25 January 1895 depicts the hands of friendship above the shield which is quartered, depicting in the first and fourth quarters the three passant guardant lions of England, Normandy and Aquitaine, in the second, the rampant lion of Scotland, and in the third, Azure, the Harp stringed Argent for Ireland. The motto of the Order is shown below the shield: “Rege, Lege et Grege” which translates from Latin as meaning “For The King, The Law and the Country”.
AKC Ian Glasper OM GKC wearing the recently re-mounted chain collar
Past Grand Knight Commander's Regalia includes a sash pictured on the right, and optional apron shown on the left of the picture) The sash is of Red and Blue diamond design embroidered with the letters GKC and the years the holder was in post. The apron, with a red and blue patterned border was introduced as an optional item in 2022 to denote the wearer's high rank and honor of being a Past Grand Knight Commander of the Order.
Past Grand Knight Commanders Sash and Apron.
Our regalia comprises of various jewels, collarettes, sashes and aprons each worn in recognition of the holders rang and achievements.
