LOL 107 Sir Edward Wingfield Verner's True Blues, Ballygargan
 
 
This number had its first habitation at Drumnakelly, its Master from 1796 to 1813 being Henry Jackson, who was in 1819 Master of No 19. William Grimason, DM; and James Jackson, secretary, of No 107, occupied similar offices in No 19 in 1819. From 1814 to 1818 Thomas Wright was Master of No 107. During these years it was still in Drumnakelly, but in 1819 it had gone to The Doddin with Thomas Cooney as Master, Sanders Watson as DM, and Samuel Martin as secretary.

In 1820 it had found a new habitation at Kilmoriarty with William Hyde as Master, and William Woodhouse as secretary. Mortimer Woodhouse succeeded to the chair in 1844, but during the two following years it was in Corcain, with Thomas Flavelle as Master. During the latter part of 1846 it reached Artabracka, where it remained until 1867, with James Brownlee as Master.

It was in 1868 that No 107 reached Ballygargan, and its first officers there were Malcomson Moffett; John Dickson; Henry Dickson, sec; and Robert Hart treasurer. There was no change in these offices until 1875, when James Davison became secretary, and Joseph Diskson, treasurer. James Davision became DM in 1876, and Purce Livingstone secretary. In 1877 Joseph Rodgers became DM, William H Neill secretary, and George Hart, treasurer.

In 1878 Joseph H Rogers became Master, and was followed in successive years by Robinson Hardy, Joseph Dickson, and George Hart. John Dickson had been DM in 1878 and 1879, with George Hart following him in 1880 and Samuel Porter in 1881. The latter who had been secretary from 1878, was succeeded in that position by James Hart. George Rogers was treasurer in 1880 and William Hart in 1881.

A new set of officers was elected in 1882. The were :- Samuel Porter, WM: William Hart, DM; William Lockhart McMurray, secretary; and Samuel James Hart treasurer. Both of the WM and DM held the office until 1888, but in 1886 William Dickson became secretary, followed by William McCormick in 1888. William Rogers was treasurer in 1883, James Redpath in 1884, and James Reid held the post from 1885 until 1888.

The last named became Master in 1889, with James Fryers as DM; and Robert Henry England as secretary. In 1890 William L McMurray was elected to the chair, with Robert H England as DM, and William Dickson secretary. James Fryers became DM in 1897. Secretaries during the period 1891-1897 were William Dickson, James Rogers, John Lock Robert H England was Master from 1898 until 1902, the DM being John Moffatt, and the treasurer James Fryers. Edward Watson and Samuel Porter were the secretaries.

John Currie was elected Master for 1903, with James Mayes DM; Alexander Black, secretary; and Samuel Best, treasurer. At the following meeting, however R H England was returned to the chair for the two following years. Andrew Carson becoming DM in 1905, in which year John Moffatt was treasurer.

In 1906 and 1907 John Moffatt was Master, and R H England DM. The latter returned to the chair in 1908 and occupied it until 1912, the DM’s being Joseph Wilson, Andrew Carson, George Davison and Robert Best. John Porter succeeded Alexander Black as secretary in 1908. James Mayes was treasurer from 1906 until 1909, when succeeded by James Fryers. George Hart was secretary 1910 until 1912.

Robert Best was Master from 1913 to 1919, with James Mayes as DM; John Porter being secretary from 1913 until 1920. Robert Ryans was treasurer 1910-19.

When Andrew Carson became Master in 1920, with Robert Hart DM; there was a membership of 63, and the Number has always enjoyed at any rate during its stay in that area, a great measure of prosperity.

John Porter has been Master since 1923. Robert Adair was DM, in 1923; but was succeeded in 1924 by James Mayes, who has occupied the position ever since. Richard Duke has been secretary since 1921. George Hart was treasurer from 1919 until 1931. The present treasurer is Robert Davison.

The lodge was granted its title of ‘Verner’s True Blues’ in 1883. Its Orange Hall was erected in 1895.

The following were the principle officers for 1936 - John Porter, Knocknamuckley; William Mayes, do; Richard Duke, Bleary; Robert Davison, Ballygargan.

The original hall was opened on 5 November 1894 and destroyed by a terrorist bomb on 28 March 1976. The' rebuilt hall was opened on 20 August 1977. The brethren, accompanied by Edgarstown Accordion Band and Crozier Memorial Pipe Band, paraded from Knocknamuckley Parish Church, via Blacker's Mill to the hall. The car park and platform were decorated with bunting and Lambeg drummers were beating out a tune.

The platform party comprised Bro, A. J. Anderson, County Grand Master, Bro. H. Whitten, District Master, Bro. J. H. McCusker MP, Bro. Eric Crozier, Lurgan District Master. Bro. Captain Michael Armstrong, Bro. Eev. A. J, Finch, former rector Knocknamuckley Parish Church. Eev. K. Haskins, Bluestone Methodist Church. Bro. John Toal, WM LOL 18, and Bro. Bob Blair, WM LOL 61.

The chairman Bro. Eric Davison. WM LOL 107, gave details of the history of the warrant and the hall to its destruction in March 1976. He asked the Rev. A. J. Finch to conduct the service. The opening prayers and Bible reading were read by the Eev. R. Haskins.

The contractor. Bro. D. L. McAvoy, a member of the lodge, handed Bro. Joe Davison the keys to perform the opening ceremony. Bro. Davison. a member of the lodge, donated the additional land necessary for the rebuilding of the hall. He was also an eyewitness to the explosion. Bro. Richard Jordan made a presentation to Bro. Davison on behalf of the officers and members of LOL 107. The Rev, A. J. Finch then said a prayer of dedication. A collection was taken up for the Building Fund and a buffet supper was provided in the new hall for all who attended.

Sir Edward Wingfield Verner's True Blues unfurled their banner on Friday 8 July 1977. Mrs Anna Haire unfurled the banner, which was donated to the lodge by her brother, Bro. George Duke, in memory of his father, Bro. Richard Duke, who was secretary for 47 years The previous banner was destroyed in the terrorist attack the year before.

The platform party included tbe Worshipful District Master. Bro. H. Whitten, the District Secretary, Bro. W. D. Thompson, Bro. Rev, A. J. Finch, Bro. J. H. McCusker MP, Bro. John Toal. WM LOL 18. and Bro. Bob Blair. WM LOL 61. The Rev. D. Wilson of Knocknamuckley Parish Church said the opening prayers. Miss Linda Davison presented Mrs Haire with a pair of scissors to perform the unfurling and the Rev. A. J. Finch said dedicatory prayers. The lodge, headed by Edgarstown Accordion Band paraded a short way along the road and back to the church where tea was provided by members wives.

The previous banner was unfurled on 1 July 1965 by Bro. Leonard Wilson, the oldest member, at 8.00 p.m. at Knocknamuckley Parish Church. The lodge met at the hall at 7.30 p.m. and led by Bleary Pipe Band paraded to the church. Tea was afterwards served in the Parochial Hall. This banner was destroyed in the terrorist attack.

A banner was unfurled on 1 July 1939 at Knocknamuckley Parish Church by Bro. John Best, who was the oldest member of the lodge. The day previous a photograph was taken by Moffet.t's Studio at the church to commemorate the event. When the hall was attacked in 1976 this banner escaped serious damage and was carried at the Twelfth demonstration in Lurgan that year.

Ballygargan Orange Hall was destroyed in a terrorist attack on 28 March 1976. On the morning of 28 March the Worshipful Master, Bro. Eric Davison. received a phone message from the police, asking him to open Ballygargan Orange Hall to enable the army to make a routine check. He arrived about 11.00 a.m., opened the door, went through the main hall and into the kitchen with the soldiers. On returning to the main hall there was an explosion and he was thrown across the room. The trapdoor to the roof space was booby trapped and one soldier, Corporal Donald Traynor, was killed. The lodge lost a lot of artefacts, including photographs, furniture and banners. Upon reaching the road the Worshipful Master was informed that the police had received a message on the confidential phone saying arms were being stored in the hall.

A Floral tribute and letter of sympathy was sent to the family of the dead soldier. On 11 April a retiring offering was taken up in the three local churches - Knocknarauckley Parish Church, Bluestone Methodist Church and Newrnills Presbyterian Church. The lodge met in the Victory Hall, Drumnacanvey, kindly loaned by Carrickblacker Guiding Star REP 503, until the new hall was built.

LOL 107 is another of the major drumming lodges within the District.

Worshipful Masters 1935-1995:

1923 - 1935 Bro. John Porter
1936 - 1941 Bro. Richard Duke
1942 -1943 Bro. Joseph Livingstone
1944 - 1945 Bro. James Davison
1946 - 1948 Bro. Robert Davison
1949 - Bro. Ernest Dickson
1950 - Bro. James Adair
1951 -1983 Bro. Eric Davison
1984 - 1986 Bro. George Wilson
1987 - 1989 Bro. John Moffett
1990 - 1992 Bro. Nigel Davison
1993 - 1996 Bro. John Gillespie
1997 - 1998 Bro. Barry Hodgen
1999 - 2001 Bro. Robert Gillespie
2002 - 2004 Bro. Maurice Wilson
2005 - Bro Richard Monteith

Over the years Ballygargan Orange Hall has been used widely within the community for Missions, Family Breavements, Socials, Drumming Matches, Priviate Functions and Charity Events. Anyone wishing to make use of the hall facilities should contact any lodge member or George on 07753472734 to check avaliability.

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