LOL 395 Battlehill
 
 
No. 395 was taken out by the Master and members of No. 948 in 1895. The lodge was first known as Eldon LOL. Warrant No. 948 was initially established in 1796 at Magarity with the then Master Thomas Bradshaw. During the period 1823-1827 the lodge was meeting at Crowhill. By 1845 No. 948 was meeting at Cranagill but in 1850 the number had ceased meeting. On 6 October 1851 the warrant was handed to Alexander Trotter hut on 7 June 1852 he lodged it with the District lodge.

The following year in October 1853 the warrant was to be taken out again 'to be held in Corcullentrough' and by 1856 it was at Drumlellum before being returned, in 1857. In 1867 the warrant was working again and in the late 1800s the lodge was meeting at Clonroot. James Hyde was Master in 1895 with the lodge meetings held in Mullan's house, Clonroot in an area known locally as Hivy Gap. When No. 948 finally ceased working in 1895 James Hyde became the Master of the new LOL 395.

When William J. Magee took over as Worshipful Master the lodge moved to the 'Walk' area of Battlehill and erected a tin hut in Kelly's field in which to hold meetings. This move was necessitated after Mullan's house in Clonroot was burned down with the loss of the lodge banner and one or two Lambeg drums.

The No. 395 was recorded in Co. Leitrim, at Manorhamilton District in 1856 with James Sharpe as its Master and by 1875 a duplicate was operating in Fermanagh. This duplicate would appear to have fallen dormant and in 1894 No. 395 at Manorhamilton had been cancelled.

A number of brethren from LOL, 395 served during the Great War of whom four did not return, a Lambeg drum featuring a portrait of Lord Kitchener was dedicated by the lodge to their memory, Bro. Robert Devlin, who was later to occupy the deputy chair, served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers during the Great War and was wounded whilst serving in France. The lodge has a photograph of him in his army uniform and also retains his service medals.

In 1930 when Ballintaggart School House became vacant, members of the Mullholland family, whose relatives are still members of the lodge, spotted a local priest measuring up the site. Captain Lindsay of Hannavale House, another neighbour and Orangeman, became aware of this development and decided action was needed. He summoned Harry Grey WM of LOL 395 and Bob Devlin DM to a meeting and between them agreed to buy the school house for use as an Orange hall. Captain Lindsay kindly agreed to provide the necessary finance for the venture. The school house was bought from the Reverend Mr. Hogarth. Rector of St Saviour's, at the Dobbin, for the sum of £175.

The principle officers of 1936 were - George Hewitt, Mandeville Terrace, West Street, Portadown; William Lappin, Baltylum; James Crealey, Queen Street, Portadown; Frank Winter, Union street, Portadown.

A new banner for LOL 395 was unfurled on 12 July 1936, the ceremony was performed by Bro. Sam Mulholland with Bro. R. H. Bell presiding. The banner featured paintings of King William III crossing the Boyne and The Secret of England's Greatness'.

On Easter Monday 20 April 1981 the brethren of Portadown District assembled at Carleton Street and headed by the District Master. Bro. Herbert Whitten, paraded to Battlehill on the occasion of the re-opening of Battlehill Orange Hall.

The lodge's present banner was unfurled on 11th July, 1987. The front features a portrait of the late Captain K, H. Lindsay of Hannavale House, who was instrumental in organising the purchase of Ballintaggart Old School House for use as Battlehill Orange Hall.

In 1994 two flags were presented to the lodge by Mrs Kathleen Power and her daughter Pearl, in memory of her late husband Bro. Joseph Power, Past Master of the lodge and late District Lecturer of Portadown.

The lodge has maintained its membership at around thirty-five with nine families: Patterson. Cooneys. England. Hewitt, Black, Hill, Wilkinson, Cahoun and Robinson making up the majority of lodge members.

Worshipful Masters of LOL 395 since 1935 are as follows:

1935-39 George Hewitt
1939-48 John McNeil
1949 James Ted ford
1950 John Bell
1951 H. Magee
1952-58 Bertie England
1959 Bob Devlin
1960-72 Bertie England
1972-75 Sandy Hewitt
1977-78 Tom Black
1979-81 Robert Trimble
1982-84 Stephen Millar
1984-86 J. H. Power
1986 Carl Cunningham
1987-89 Robert Trimble
1989-94 J. H. Power
1995- S. J. Power

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