HISTORY OF BURT FAITH DEFENDERS LOL 1927 FROM 1869 TO PRESENT DAY Updated February 2020
Researched and compiled by Wor Bro David Canning P.M., P.D.M
The original LOL No 1927 met in the Island of Inch Masonic Hall and was known as Inch LOL No 1927. This is confirmed by the old pill box style hats which bear the name and are in the possession of the writer. At a meeting of the City of Derry LOL No 1 District held in St. Johnston Orange Hall on 6th January 1869 the following is recorded in the minutes of that meeting. "An application was handed in from Inch signed by 7 members of the Orange Institution requesting leave to open a Lodge. The application was granted on condition that the petitioners produce certificates of membership or confirmation from their current or previous Lodges.
According to the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland`s warrant register compiled in the year 1875 Lodge No. 1927`s warrant was first issued on 21st July 1869 in the name of John F Kenning, Donegal. (It would appear that Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland might have interpreted the spelling of the name incorrectly, perhaps due to the particular style of writing that may have been used on the application.) On checking our earliest roll book for 1907 a John F Fleming is recorded as first committee man. Our roll book of 1911 records that John Fleming had died. From other information since obtained I am now confident that John F Fleming`s name was on the original warrant for Inch LOL No. 1927.
The minutes of The City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge dated 17th November 1869 record that no returns were received from Inch 1927. The Lodge had a membership of twenty three in 1870. The City of Derry LOL No 1 District minute book records minutes of a District meeting held at the Lodge room of LOL No 1927 Isle of Inch on 5th July 1871. In the year 1876 they were charged the sum of £3.00 sterling for the use of the Masonic Hall. This is confirmed in the minutes of Island of Inch Masonic Lodge No 589 dated 3rd February 1876.
On 13th August 1877 a riot occurred at Inch Road station as members of the Lodge and other visitors including a band paraded to the station to board the train to take them to Londonderry where they intended to support and take part in the annual Apprentice Boys parade commemorating the lifting of the siege in August 1689. Newspaper reports at the time indicate that a crowd of people had gathered to try and prevent them from parading. Stones were thrown at the procession and at the station property. Firearms were allegedly discharged. A number of court cases evolved from this incident. Fortunately no one was seriously injured and the outcome appears to have been that all parties were treated very leniently by Mr. Justice Keogh at the Crown Court sitting in Lifford on 16th March 1878.
On the return journey from the 13th August 1877 celebration the members and families were again attacked in Londonderry because of serious rioting in the city that day. Newspaper reports record that they and the Inch and Ballymagroarty bands were escorted for one mile out of the city by a group of 100 Apprentice Boys. It is assumed they paraded the full distance back to Inch that day. In the lead up to the Second Home Rule bill the Londonderry Sentinel of 7th march 1893 records that at the monthly meeting of the Lodge held in Inch Island on Saturday 4th March1893 the following resolution was unanimously passed. "That the members of this Lodge protest against the passing of any form of Home Rule Bill altering or transferring our allegiance from our glorious Sovereign Queen Victoria to an Irish Executive and we hereby declare our intention to resist, even to death, the enforcing of any such measure. Therefore, preferring to die on the field rather than at the hand of midnight enemies, we will take our stand with the rest of our brethren in strenuous opposition and this we all solemnly declare, so help us God, and keep us steadfast in our duty."
A newspaper article from Londonderry Sentinel dated 10th July 1906 records that members of LOL No. 1927 assembled in the Masonic Hall, Inch on Sunday evening and marched in procession, wearing regalia, to Inch Church where a very edifying sermon was preached by the Rev. J R Sides M.A., rector of Burt and Inch, who chose for his text John III v16. After the service the brethren returned to the Hall and dispersed. The present warrant of Burt Faith defenders LOL 1927 was issued on 7th October 1890 in the name of Bro Robert Elder and in that year had eleven members.
The Lodge moved from Inch Island in 1910 to the old school house at Boniemaine, Bridgend which is now in ruins (see photo below). At a City of Derry Grand Orange Lodge meeting on 31st August 1910 LOL No. 1927 sent a communication through No. 1 District stating that they had changed their place of meeting from Inch Masonic Hall to Boniemaine, Bridgend. (This would have been the old school house in Boniemaine.)
A considerable number of the Lodge members joined the Ulster Volunteer Force in 1912 and when the call to arms came at the start of the World War One in 1914 many of brethren volunteered.
A newspaper article from July 1913 records that Burt Faith Defenders LOL No. 1927 paraded from Boniemaine Orange Hall to Burt Presbyterian Church for their annual July service. The minister of Burt, Rev .R.W. Ross, was the special preacher.
An appeal was launched in June 1910 for funds to build a new hall on a site donated by the late Bro John McCombe. However the looming crises of Home Rule, the outbreak of the First World War and the continuing troubles of the period 1916 to the 1920’s prevented this being accomplished until the year 1927.
The Lodge records for the years relating to the First World War confirm that many members were serving in the Forces of the Crown and we remember them with pride and gratitude. Some of the following information has been recorded for posterity in the book “Ballyshannon, Belcoo, Bertincourt, The History of the 111th Battalion, The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers [Donegal and Fermanagh Volunteers] in world War One written by W J Canning who is a member of the Lodge.
ALL GAVE SOME AND SOME GAVE ALL
The following members made the Supreme Sacrifice.
Bro Robert Anderson, Springtown, Londonderry. 11th Btn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Killed in action 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. No known grave. Remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial.
Bro Robert Bell, Burnfoot, Co. Donegal. 6th Dragoons [Inniskillings]. Killed inaction on 1st January 1916. Remembered with honour in Hecqueliers Cemetery, France and in Knowhead Presbyterian Church, Co Donegal.
Bro Joseph Crockett, Elaghberg, Burnfoot, Co Donegal. 10th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Machine Gun Corps [Infantry]. Killed in action 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. No known grave. Remembered with honour on Thiepval Memorial and in Ballyarnett Presbyterian Church, Co Londonderry.
Bro Robert Dinsmore, Gortcormican, Burnfoot, Co Donegal. 9th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Killed inaction 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. No known grave. Remembered with honour on the Thiepval Memorial.
Bro Joseph Thompon Downey. Mannerstown, Burt, Co Donegal and West Calder Edinburgh. 13th Btn Royal Scots. Killed in action 27th September 1915 at the Battle of Loos while advancing on enemy trench positions. No known grave. Remembered with honour on the War Memorial in Loos, Pas de Calais, France and in Burt Presbyterian Church, Co Donegal. Bro John Keys, Birdstown, Burnfoot, Co Donegal. 11th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Killed in action 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. No known grave. Remembered with honour on Thiepval Memorial and in Knowhead Presbyterian Church, Co Donegal.
Bro William McClintock, Galliagh, Londonderry. 11th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Killed in action 1st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme. Remembered with honour in Mill Road Cemetery, Thiepval Memorial and in Ballyarnett Presbyterian Church, Co Londonderry.
The following members also served during the First World War and returned home although many of them were wounded in the conflict. We are not sure of the Regiments they served in since this was not always recorded in our roll book. We would appreciate further information which might be in the domain of any living relatives.
Bro James Austin Speenogue, Burt, Co Donegal
Bro William Dinsmore Gortcormican, Burnfoot Co Donegal [Royal Navy]
Bro Andrew Dinsmore Gortcormican, Burnfoot, Co Donegal [Army - 11th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]
Bro James Dinsmore Lenamore, Muff, Co Donegal
Bro William Flackes Carnamaddy, Burt, Co Donegal
Bro Samuel Lynch Toulett, Burt, Co Donegal [Army - 6th Dragoons Inniskilling and the 12th Btn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]
Bro William McClay Crislamore, Burnfoot, Co Donegal.
Bro Samuel McGowan Bohillion, Burt, Co Donegal [Army - Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Machine Gun Corps]
Bro John Robb Bonniemaine, Bridgend, Co Donegal
Bro Andrew S Robinson Carrowreagh, Bridgend, Co Donegal [Emigrated to New Zealand and joined a Lodge there]
Bro William Walker Coshquin, Londonderry
The following members joined the Lodge immediately after their War service and again we do not have detailed information on their respective regiments.
Bro William Austin Speenogue, Burt, Co Donegal
Bro Joseph Holden Bridgend, Co Donegal
Bro Robert J McDowell Inch Level, Burt, Co Donegal
Bro Henry Robb Bonnemaine, Bridgend, Co Donegal
Bro Calvin Robinson Toulett, Burt, Co Donegal
Bro Percy Robinson Toulett, Burt, Co Donegal
Bro Jack Scott Birdstown, Burnfoot, Co Donegal
Bro Joseph Wallace Rosemount, Londonderry [Emigrated to New Zealand.]
During the troubles of the 1920’s the late John McDowell, the owner of the old school was shot and seriously wounded by IRA gunmen. After this incident the Lodge was forced to abandon regular meetings at this location. Meetings were held in the houses of various Lodge members throughout the area. Meetings were also held in the open in Carrowreagh Glen with sons of the Lodge members acting as lookouts. All the record books for this period were destroyed with the exception of two roll books, the earliest of which dates back to 1907 and a minute book from 4th January 1919 to 4th March 1922. A separate sheet of paper containing minutes dated 6th May with no year indicated but presumed to be 1922 state that owing to the state of the country the secretary did not bring the minutes of the previous meeting with him. Another loose minute sheet records that the last monthly meeting of LOL 1927 was held in September due to the unsettled conditions, again no year was stated, but this was also assumed to be 1922. This minute sheet was signed by the W.M., the late Bro Edward McKenna and Secretary the late Bro William Austin on 26th June 1923 and probably refers to the last meeting held in the old school house after the shooting of the owner John McDowell referred to earlier.
The minutes of the Lodge meeting held on 7th August 1920 and recorded by the Secretary, the late Bro Joseph Smyth, the writers maternal grandfather, indicate that the name of William Canning, the writer's uncle, was proposed for membership. However circumstances did not afford him the opportunity to become a member. Shortly after this, he and another person were abducted and interrogated by members of the IRA for a period of three days. William never recovered from that ordeal. He became very withdrawn and was admitted as an inpatient to Letterkenny Mental Hospital on 5th August 1924 where he remained until his death in 1982. Such was the legacy of evil which stalked our Island home at that time and unfortunately continued in more recent times. Minutes of the meeting held on Saturday 4th June 1921 confirm that the Annual July Anniversary Service would be held in Burt Presbyterian Church on Sunday 3rd July and the preacher would be the Rev R.W. Ross Minister, of the Church. The brethren would assemble at the Old School House at 4pm and parade to Burt for Divine Service at 5pm. Services alternated yearly between the Presbyterian Church and the Church of Ireland Church which was situated 300 yards further along the road. The annual 12th July Demonstration in 1921 was held in Carrigans. The lodge received an invitation to take part. The City Grand Lodge required a permit from the Military Authorities to allow the Demonstration to proceed and this was granted just before the 12th July. The writer recalls his late father confirming the story of the Lodge accompanied by two bands marching over the mountain road to Carrigans and back again, a distance of eight miles each way. Despite all the difficulties of the time the Lodge members continued to hold dances in the Old School House with one being held on the last Friday in December 1921.
After the “Troubles” of the 1920s the Lodge continued to prosper and the new hall was finally opened in 1927. The building was constructed with timber studded walls covered externally with corrugated iron and internally with tongued and grooved timber sheeting. The roof was also sheeted with corrugated iron. Unfortunately, no photographs that we know of exist for this building, with the exception of a newspaper cutting, photograph which is not very clear. [Perhaps someone, somewhere, may have an original photograph.] City of Derry Grand Orange Lodge minutes of 15th May 1926 record that a letter was read from Bro. John A Robinson LOL N0.1927 asking for permission to have collecting cards issued to raise funds to enable them proceed with the building of their new Orange Hall which had been deferred owing to trouble regarding the Boundary. (The Boundary referred to is the boundary between what is now Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Boundary Commission had completed its report in November 1925.)
The Lodge continued to take an active part in all the activities connected with the Orange Institution. A new banner for our Lodge was unfurled on Friday 6th July 1934 at a meeting of LOL No. 1 District which was held in our hall. The unfurling was carried out by the W.D.M. Bro. S McFeeters."
The new hall was used extensively in the 1940s and 1950s. At various times black and white films were shown. These were a great attraction and all members of the community availed of the venue. The main films of the time were always about cowboys and the titles “Lash La Rue” and “Tom Mix” come to mind.
During the 1950's Sunday School classes under the auspices of Burt Presbyterian Church were held in the hall on Sunday afternoons. This meant that many of us attended Sunday School twice since we attended the regular Church classes in the morning. During this period the then Minister of Burt Presbyterian Church the Rev Kenneth Smyth became a member of the lodge. Boniemaine Pipe Band was very active during this time and since it was attached to and supported by the Lodge, considerable finances were required to maintain uniforms and instruments. Dances were held every Tuesday and Thursday nights to raise funds. Admission was one shilling and six pence and the music was provided by the Sweeney Brothers from Burt. They were paid one pound and ten shillings for their night’s work. These dances were very popular and enjoyed the support of the entire community. The writer was always tasked to sweep out the hall the next day after school and on many occasions was rewarded with the finding of a penny or perhaps even a threepenny piece which had fallen from someone’s pocket.
Differing trends in entertainment took their toll and support for the dances dwindled. The last dance was held in the hall in 1966. The pipe band ceased to exist in the mid 1960’s mainly due to the fact that quite a lot of the members had moved away from the area. At this time the Faith Mission continued to use the hall weekly for their services and these were always well supported. The Aileach Gun Club also met in the hall.
Recollections come to mind of the pipe band marching from the Orange Hall to the border at Coshquin and back, then marching up to the McManus farm in Carrowreagh and returning again to the hall. All this was in preparation for the big day. On the 12th July the Lodge and band marched from the hall to Bridgend where they boarded a bus to take them to Londonderry for the traditional parade through the city before going on to wherever the Demonstration was being held. In the evening they paraded from Bridgend back to the hall and had the usual social gathering afterwards.
During the period from the end of World War One up to 1970 the following members of the Lodge gave unstinting service in the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom both at home and abroad. Names recorded in the Lodge rolls are as follows:
Bro John McCombe Carrowreagh, Bridgend, Co Donegal [Army Irish Guards].
Bro John Anthony Sheriff’s Mountain, Londonderry [U.S.C]
Bro Robert Galbraith Elaghbeg, Burnfoot, Co Donegal [U.S.C]
Bro Wm H Milligan Burnfoot, Co Donegal [U.S.C]
Bro Joseph Craig Coshquin, Londonderry [Army – Regiment not known]
Bro David Canning Speenogue, Burt, Co Donegal [Army – Regiment not known]
Bro James Canning Speenogue, Burt, Co Donegal [R.U.C]
Bro Samuel Ramsey Trooperstown, Burnfoot, Co Donegal [Army – Regiment not known]
Bro William McGowan Toulett, Burt, Co Donegal [Army – Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]
Bro Andrew Quigley Mannerstown, Burt, Co Donegal [Army – Regiment not known]
Bro Robert Quigley Mannerstown, Burt, Co Donegal [Army – Regiment not known] Bro George Baird Carrowreagh, Bridgend, Co Donegal [R.A.F]
Bro John F Carson Glen Road, Londonderry [R.U.C]
Bro Samuel Moore Carrowreagh, Bridgend, Co Donegal [Army – Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]
Bro Dick Robb Bonniemaine, Bridgend, Co Donegal [Army – Regiment not known]
Bro Joseph Robb Bonniemaine, Bridgend, Co Donegal [Army – Regiment not known]
Bro Bob Robb Bonniemaine, Bridgend, Co Donegal [Army – Regiment not known]
Bro John Robb Bonniemaine, Bridgend, Co Donegal [Army – Regiment not known]
Bro John Quigley Carrowreagh, Bridgend, Co Donegal [Army - Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers]
Bro W J Canning Bonniemaine, Bridgend, Co Donegal [1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rangers and T.A.V.R]
Bro Alex Galbraith Galliagh, Londonderry [U.S.C]
Bro David Gamble Glenbank, Londonderry [R.U.C]
Bro David McCorkell (Snr) Ballymagroarty, Londonderry [U.S.C]
Bro David Gilfillian Carnamaddy, Burt, Co Donegal [U.S.C]
The foregoing information is as comprehensive as can be ascertained from out records. However, if anyone can elaborate on same or give additional information we would be grateful for their contribution.
From 1969 onwards the recent “Troubles” placed severe restrictions on Lodge meetings due to our isolated border location in Co Donegal. This was history repeating itself. On the night 3rd February 1972 the hall was destroyed by fire. After a year long court case malicious damages were awarded to the Lodge against Donegal County Council. No one was ever charged with causing the fire.
The Lodge then moved to the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall in Londonderry and during this time six of its members, including one who attained the rank of Major, and was subsequently awarded the M.B.E for his services, served with distinction in the Ulster Defence Regiment.
A new banner was unfurled at Culmore in June 1975 as were new banners for LOL No 433 and LOL No 1866. This was a very memorable day and took the form of a mini Twelfth with a parade through the village of Culmore. The Lodge celebrated its 100th Anniversary under its present title in 1990 with a banquet held in the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall. This event was attended by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland Bro Rev W. Martin Smyth.
The Lodge continues to meet in the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall, Londonderry and we are proud to record that our Lodge provides a number of officers to the City of Londonderry Grand Orange Lodge and to several committees of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. We continue to support the City of Londonderry Orange Widows Fund and many other charities including the Parkinson’s Disease Society and the Foyle Hospice.
We endeavour to maintain our membership and this has been made possible by the support of the members who continue to attend on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
It should be noted that throughout the years of our Lodge’s existence we did not give, nor intended to give, any offence to any member of the community irrespective of their religion, class or creed. Indeed it demonstrates that our Orange Hall was open to all sections of the community to participate in the various activities which were the hallmark of community life and spirit in the countryside of those days.
A SACRIFICE REMEMBERED 8th November 2014
On a bright sunny Autumn afternoon Bros. David Ramsey, Ian Fulton and David Canning met together at the newly created Centenary Wood at Brackfield, Co Londonderry to plant trees in memory of those seven brethren from this Lodge who made the Supreme Sacrifice in World War One. The Wood is situated in the beautiful Faughan Valley and the river Faughan flows through the site. The location of the area reminded us of the similarities to the Boniemaine Glen in County Donegal which was very close to our Orange Hall in that area. An abundance of Hazel trees grew there and a river also ran through it. With this in mind we made an on the spot decision to plant Hazel trees and four of these were planted in the front row very close to the river. The other three were planted in the row immediately behind this. [ Our history recalls that during the troubles of the 1920's our Lodge met in various areas of Boniemaine Glen because of the dangerous situation prevailing in the country at that time.] At each of the seven trees a small wooden remembrance cross was positioned and this contained the details of each member. It is intended to put a more permanent marker on each tree in due course. Photographs of each cross were taken for the record. The fact that we planted Hazel trees will distinguish the locations for us in years to come since no other trees of this type were planted in the immediate area. Other photos were taken with two Chelsea Pensioners who were over for the Remembrance ceremonies and with two former members of the Irish Defence Forces who had travelled from Dublin for the Ceremonies. Bro. David Canning had met one of the Irish Defence Force members during a tour of the Battlefield sites in France and Belguim in 2008.
We remember with pride the seven Brethren whose names and other details are recorded on page two of this history.
LEST WE FORGET.