LOL 127 King William's Defenders, Portadown
 
 
This Number had its habitation originally in the Tandragee District, the first warrant being granted in 1795 to James Quin of Mullahead, and the Number was still meeting in Mullahead in 1832.

Coming to Portadown District in 1890, it met in Parkmount until the new portion was built to Carleton Street Orange Hall. Edward McCann was its first Master, and he occupied the chair until 1912. The DM’s during that period were William Millar (1894); William Downey (1895-6); Thomas H Atkinson, William Downey (1898-1900), W J McCann (1901-2), Robert Cooper, Wolsey Downey, William Downey (1905-9) Joseph Sharpe, and William Downey (1911-12). Amongst the secretaries were – James Johnson, William Miller, William Montgomery, Robert Gilleland, William Duke, T J Cole (1900-01), William John McCann, and Robert Sloan, (1905-10). Treasurers – G A Locke, James Hall, William Miller, William Sherman, Joseph Sharpe (1901-4), William J McCann (1905-7), and Samuel Mullen (1908-17).

Robert Brady was Master in 1913, but Edward McCann returned to the chair in 1914, and occupied it until 1920. The DM’s were – 1913, Robert Sloan; 1914, William Downey; 1915, Robert McMullen; Joseph Pillar was secretary 1911-20, and George Robinson treasurer 1918-21.

James McCullough who had been DM for some years became Master in 1921, and occupied the chair until 1926. William Hart, Herbert Todd, and Charles Hunniford, jun. (1922-26) were DM’s; while the secretaries were James Hunniford, W H Whitla, Shaw Cooke, and John Cooke. John Gillis, sen; James Hunniford C W Nicholson, and Fred Allen were treasurers. A roll of almost 70 members was attained during those years.

In 1927 J G Robinson was elected Master, with William Wright DM and James Hunniford secretary; these being changed in 1928 to William Wright, WM; James Phair, DM; F G Allen, secretary; and James McCullough, treasurer. In 1928, Charles Hunniford, jun, was DM; and Charles Hunniford, senior, treasurer. The former succeeded to the chair in 1930, and with William Wright as DM, occupied the position for two years.

James Phair was Master in 1932, being succeeded in 1933 by Richard Ross, who had been DM in 1932. Fred Allen was DM in 1933 and Robert Grimason in 1934. Thomas Corken has been secretary since 1931, Herbert Todd was treasurer 1930-32; and the late James McCullough, 1933 until his death in 1935. The latter had been a member of the lodge for 39 years, becoming a member in the same year as Thomas McCann and Robert Donaldson 1896. Robert Donaldson was one of the founders of the Rising Sons of Portadown LOL No 1336, Belfast.

Owing to a large number of members joining the Army during the War No 127 had no meetings from November 1914, until 5th July, 1918. Several brethren had returned disabled, and caused the Master to call a meeting for that date. Previous to June, 1900, when the present name was approved, the lodge had been known as Verner’s Golden Star.

The principle officers for 1936 were - Richard Ross, Cornation street, Portadown; Thomas Corkin, Ormonde street, Portadown; William Phair, Hanover street, Portadown; Thomas Harris, Water street, Portadown.

During World War Two Bro. David Gillis, who was serving with the Royal Air Force, was Killed In Action over Germany on 22 June 1940.

On 8 July 1955 the lodge unfurled a new-banner featuring a portrait of King William III and a depiction of the Mountjoy breaking the boom. The ceremony was performed by the County Grand Master Wor. Bro, R, J. Magowan JP, OBE.

The Rt. Hon. William Craig MP, a member of LOL 291, was the special guest at the election of officers of the lodge in 1970. At the meeting Bro. T. Corkin was presented with a fifty-year service medal.

In 1990, as part of the celebrations to mark the tercentenary of the Battle of the Boyne, the brethren of LOL 127 were accompanied on parade by a goat. Parkmount Junior LOL 150 accompany the senior lodge on parade.

LOL 127 meets in Carleton Street Orange Hall although the lodge retains close links with the Parkmount area of Portadown. Castle Avenue in the Parkmount area was the natural choice as a venue for the unfurling and dedication of the lodge's new banner. The proceedings got under way at 8.00 p.m. on Friday 10 May 1991, with W. Bro. Harold Gracey, District Master acting as chairman and W. Bro. Reverend Tom Taylor leading the service. The unfurling of the banner, which features a portrait of King William III on the front and a representation of the Mountjoy breaking the boom, on the reverse was performed by Mrs Jennifer McCusker, the widow of the late Bro. Harold McCusker. Guest speakers on the evening included the County Grand Master, Right W. Bro. Norman Hood and Bro. David Trimble MP.

Three of the present members of the lodge hold fifty-year service medals, namely Bros. S. Thompson, W. Duke and W. Kerr.

Worshipful Masters of the lodge since 1934 are as follows:

1934-39 R. Ross
1934-40 H. Todd
1959 T. Austin
1960-70 W. Anderson
1971-73 T. Milligan
1974-75 C. Mathers
1976-77 T. Milligan jnr.
1978-79 J. Pickering
1980-81 R. Ramsey
1982-83 S. Thompson
1984-86 J. Uprichard
1987-88 W. Kerr
1989-90 T. Megarry
1991-95 E. Lappin
1996-97 S. Morrison
1998-99 P. Thompson
2000-01 A. Burns
2002-03 R. O'Donohue
2004-05 P. Teggart
2006-07 G. McIvor
2008-09 T. Donaldson
2010-11 D. Elliott
2012-13 M. Thompson
2014-15 K. Black

Bro. Stanley Thompson, a past District Treasurer, was a member of this lodge. The lodge moved in January 2004 from Carleton Street Orange Hall and they now meet in Clounagh Orange Hall. The first meeting of the lodge in Clounagh Orange hall was on the 16th January 2004. At the meeting the installation of officers was conducted by two District officers one being myself.

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