Band Secretary.

The 81 first high Testimonial on the Mall Wall featured largely in the celebrations of August 1828 and 1832,which witnessed the first burning of the traitor ‘Lundy’ from the Pillar.  There was considerable party feeling at the time and the Apprentice Boys had foiled the Mayors attempt to enforce the Anti-Processions Act, when they secreted the effigy and then illegally displayed it on the Pillar from where it was eventually set alight.  Several of the Apprentice Boys suffered prosecutions. 

They continued to prosper, however, and during the next score of years the Murray and Walker Clubs came into existence.  The celebrations continued to centre on the Cathedral Thanksgiving and a banquet in the Town Hall, but it appears that from the 1840’s onwards the public procession and the burning of the Lundy effigy became a major feature in the proceedings.  In 1839 the flags, captured from the besiegers in 1689, were renewed for the second time and placed in the Cathedral.  During the 1840’s mention is made of the Juvenile and True Blue Clubs and in the record of the 1846 August celebration there is considerable comment on the firing of Siege cannons including ‘Roaring Meg’ on the Walls.

When the Mitchelburne Club was revived in 1854 there appeared to be an established ‘tradition’ of ‘firing’ on the celebration days.  Each club possessed field pieces for this purpose.  John Hempton speaking at the soiree marking the December 1861 celebration mentioned that “We have lately formed a governing assembly and have adopted a rule of alternate attendance at the Episcopal and Presbyterian Churches.  Instead of the jovial Bottle and Glass soirees of our predecessors we have now this tea meeting, where each Apprentice Boy is able to introduce ladies to enjoy with him the festivities of the evening”.  This date obviously marks the setting up of the General Committee.  The Clubs associated with this soiree were Apprentice Boys, Mitchelburne, Baker, Murray, Walker, Browning and Cairns.  The latter appears to become defunct after this to be replaced possibly by the revived No Surrender Club.  Campsie and Williamite Clubs continued to flourish until 1884 although their presence was not recorded at the famous 1861 gathering.

Attempts were made from time to time during the nineteenth century to prevent the celebrations in the interests of so-called public order but the Apprentice Boys always maintained their right to hold them. The 1860 August celebrations were memorable. The Party Emblems Act was passing through Parliament and Bishop Higgin decided that it was his duty to ban the flying of the Crimson Flag from the steeple and ring the bells of the Cathedral. The Apprentice Boys took over the Cathedral and observed their ritual customs, despite the Bishops dictum and without interference from the police. The December 1860 event proved more unpleasant when a massive security presence was brought into the city. The Apprentice Boys decided to relinquish their usual custom of firing the city guns but some dissenters decided to test the legality of the matter. Despite troop and police manoeuvres they managed to salute the Closing of the Gates with fire from the Cathedral roof and the ancient ringing of the bells. Ironically a similar force of security was employed in 1861 -–on this occasion to protect the Apprentice Boys from the Bogsiders who wished to disrupt the festivities.

The 1870 December celebrations involved even more controversy when an even larger force of troops and R.I.C. men were drafted into the city to prevent the burning of the Lundy effigy. The town was sealed off, the Walls occupied and the Governor of the Association, the famous John Guy Ferguson, was denied permission to hoist the Crimson Flags on the eve of 18th. Despite this, the 182nd anniversary of the Shutting of the Gates was marked with cannon fire, hoisting of flags and peeling of the customary joy bells. When the Apprentice Boys met at the Corporation Hall in the Diamond they fought furiously with the police and managed to ignite an effigy of Lundy that had been kept in hiding. The 1871 Relief celebrations followed the same pattern with arrests and serious disorder, mounted police charged the ranks of the Apprentices who quickly rallied. The famous Johnston of Ballykilbeg was in attendance on that day. Again the celebrations were conducted in customary form. The riots of the 1920 winter did not deter the Apprentice Boys either – despite proclamations prohibiting processions in the City, they gathered for Cathedral Service and later burnt Lundy from the Memorial Hall tower. Such was the spirit of our ancestors!

Governor Walker’s fine pillar, in recent times suffered a sad end when ‘mysterious’ bombers sealed its fate. The truth has yet to be told about this incident but the headquarters of the Apprentice Boys Association at the Memorial Hall still survives despite repeated organised attacks over the years. The foundation stone of the Hall was laid on 12th August 1873. Underneath the foundation stone, in hermetically sealed tin cases were placed coins of that year, most recent issues of all local papers, a copy of Hemptons “Siege and History of Londonderry” and a parchment with names of the committee etc. The baronial ‘Scottish style’ building was opened on the 13th August 1877 at an estimated cost of £3,250 while the large extension was opened in 1937 at a cost of £30,000. All the celebrations connected with the Siege centre around the Hall and all newly elected candidates for the brotherhood of the Apprentice Boys must be initiated within the historic Walls of Londonderry

Most credit for the formation of the Apprentice Boys Association and the celebrations must go to the Siege Governor and the hero Colonel John Mitchelburne. To him must be ascribed the distinction and honour of preserving trophies of triumph captured during the Siege and placing them in the Cathedral. The giving of the City and the Apprentice Boys their own distinctive Crimson colour and flag. The formation of the first Apprentice Boys club of which he was principle organiser and probably first President, forerunner of later Governors. The planning of the earliest anniversary celebrations. The first hoisting of the Crimson Flag on the Cathedral tower.

The celebrations and the Apprentice Boys Association have today encountered much hostility from many sources but as with their ancestors the 20th century Apprentices have held their ground. The advent of the railway established the long practice of Protestants travelling from all over Ulster to take part in the celebrations. In more recent times, branches of the Apprentice Boys Parent Clubs have been formed in Scotland and England, while for many years clubs have thrived in the Republic of Ireland. The ‘Troubles’ have witnessed a phenomenal increase in Apprentice Boys membership and general interest in the history of the Siege and the Association. It is obvious that Protestants are rallying to the Crimson colours in time of stress as their forebearers have done throughout the centuries.

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Association View

Once again thank you for purchasing this magazine, as you may have read the Ulster Bands Association has published it.  It may be that you have never heard of the Association before.  The following will hopefully explain the aims and objectives of the Association.

  The present Ulster Bands Association was formed in March 1998 when a number of members from Loyalist marching bands held a meeting.  Those present at the meeting realised that for too long Loyalist bands had been autonomous, with no clearly defined strategy or direction in place to deal with the obvious threat to our future.  The lack of Public and Political support were also high on the agenda.  For the past year the Association has steadily grown and progressed.

Foolishly, the marching band community has, in the past, relied on others to represent us or defend our rights.  This, we believe, cannot be allowed to happen again!

  Obviously we are not going to publish our plans for the future; however, we are totally dedicated to the following:

•   The promotion of the independent Cultural identity of the Loyalist marching bands;

• The enhancing of the reputation of the Loyalist marching bands;

• The promotion and education of all aspects of the Ulster Protestant Culture and Heritage.

The education of our Culture and Heritage, we believe is of vital importance to our future.  Given the refusal of the education authorities to include in our children’s curriculum the traditions and history of the Ulster Protestant, now is the time to educate yourself and your family.  Use the articles in this magazine as the first step.

Each month “Association View” will touch upon subjects which affect the Loyalist marching bands or our Culture in general.

Unity is Strength.

Issue 2