The Orange Order in World War I
In 1914, the Grand Lodge of England annual sessions took place in early July. That would have been a few days after the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo on 28th June. The United Kingdom did not enter the War until 4th August 1914.
By the time the Grand Lodge met again, on 7th and 8th July 1915, at the Grand Hotel in Bristol, the War had been in progress for almost a year.
The Grand Lodge Report describes how the meeting was opened with a hymn specially written for the Men at the Front, to the tune of “Melita”, “Eternal Father, strong to save”.
In the Grand Secretary’s Report, RW Bro Louis A Ewart wrote, “Our ranks have been depleted owing to the large number of brethren on war service, and we have endeavoured to keep all lodges going, to prevent the warrants being returned as dormant.” He also reported that, I organised the officers and men of the Canadian Contingent into a large lodge on Salisbury Plain and I had the privilege of receiving several Indian Orangemen. These brave men hold their lodge meetings under our Warrants today in Flanders.
I have been asked to meet the 9th Canadian Rifles on their arrival in England and form them into a lodge under the temporary authority of the Grand Lodge of England. Monsieur L Valat, Secretary of the Belgian Bible Society, has joined the Order with a view to opening Orange Lodges in Belgium and Holland.
I have arranged to form a lodge in TogoLand, that part of the world which, until recently, was known as the German Protectorate, West Africa; but now, Germany having been driven out and the British flag planted, it is known as British West Africa. Our lodge will be opened at Lome on the Gold Coast. It is extraordinary that, immediately the British flag is unfurled on the Slave Coast, the natives should ask for a Warrant from the Orange Institution. This Grand Lodge wishes them God speed and every success.
In “Correspondence”, Louis Ewart said, -
Our Military Lodges in India, Arabia, and other parts have been in the fighting line since the commencement of the war, as also our many lodges on British battleships; but, alas, we have to record that many “nobly fighting, nobly fell.” Other foreign lodges are doing splendidly.
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In the section “Literature” he said, -
I was anxious that the Institution should do something for the brave fellows who were going out to fight for the Motherland. People were sending cigarettes and various comforts for the soldiers; what could we do ? Nothing could be done without funds. As we are a religious Institution, it was thought best to send that which would exalt our principles, and the Christ who died to cleanse men from sin, so we made an appeal and sent out the Word of God. Over eleven hundredweight of scriptures have been sent to the troops. We are very grateful to the Trinitarian Bible Society and the Calvinistic Protestant Union for free grants.
In the section “The War”, Ewart said, -
Many of our members have distinguished themselves on the field of battle. Bro Private Abraham Acton of Whitehaven has won the Victoria Cross, and Bro Sergeant J H Raynor of Oldham has won the Distinguished Conduct Medal. All honour to them and those heroes who are fighting so valiantly at the front !
(It was announced at the meeting that Bro Acton, VC, has been killed in action.)
Woolwich District No 64 had traditionally been the home of overseas and military lodges. In the Grand Lodge Report for 1915 the following lodges are shown under Woolwich District, -
Rising Star of the East True Blues LOL 108A, “On War Service”.
WM: George Thompson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Sec: William Nelson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
This lodge was attached to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and had previously met in Cairo and Dublin.
Ulster Purple Star LOL 833, “On War Service”.
WM: Rev Jas Shaw, The Manse, Presbyterian Church, Quetta, Baluchistan, India.
Sec: Private Norman McGowan, B Company, 2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers.
There were Naval Lodges also. In District 72, Plymouth, there is listed, -
Ulster Purple Heroes LOL 842, “With the Fleet”.
WM: F. J. Willmer.
Sec: A. H. Cosway.
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In District 94, Devonport, the following lodges are shown, -
Ulster Scot LOL 287, “On War Service with the Fleet”.
WM: Charles Alexander.
Sec: John C Matthews.
Carnarvon LOL 827, “On War Service with the Fleet”.
WM: J A Britten.
Sec: Brother Moorhouse.
This lodge had already existed before the War on HMS Carnarvon.
The Lodge Directory finishes with a list of “Isolated Lodges”, many of which were military, -
Rising Sons of India LOL 703, “Moveable, British Expeditionary Force”.
WM: William Windrum, D Company, 1st Royal Irish Rifles.
Sec: Samuel Mullen, Signallers, 1st Royal Irish Rifles.
(This lodge was in existence before the War, and had been stationed in India and Burma.)
Pride of Armagh LOL 839, “Moveable, British Expeditionary Force”.
WM: Sergeant David Wilson.
Sec: Sergeant G A Williams.
This lodge was in the Royal Irish Rifles.
4th Canadian, East Belfast Volunteers LOL 859, “Moveable, British Expeditionary Force”.
WM: Lieutenant Bennett, Canadian Contingent.
Sec: PrivateWJMountain, Canadian Contingent.
This lodge has a surprising name, seeming to be composed of Canadian soldiers, yet also incorporating “East Belfast Volunteers.” There may be a story here that would merit research, or it may be merely a mis-print. The following year the lodge was shown to be in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
“By arrangement” LOL 860, “Moveable, British Expeditionary Force”.
WM: Lieutenant J T O’Neill, Ulster Division.
Sec: Rifleman I Browne, A Company, 8th Battalion, Irish Rs
South Antrim Volunteers, By Arrangement, LOL 863, “Moveable, British Expeditionary Force”.
WM: D H Gourley, Ulster Division.
Sec: Captain A P Jenkins, 11th (S) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles.
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North Belfast Volunteers, By Arrangement, LOL 864, “Moveable, British Expeditionary Force”.
WM: W J O’Neill, 15th Royal Irish Rifles, Ulster Division.
Sec: Wm Finlay, 15th Royal Irish Rifles, Ulster Division.
Down Volunteers, By Arrangement, LOL 865, “Moveable, British Expeditionary Force”.
WM: Sergeant J W Gordon, 16th Royal Irish Rifles, Ulster Division.
Sec: Sergeant M Cunningham, 16th Royal Irish Rifles, Ulster Division.
At the back of the book is the “Roll of Honour”, described as “Being a list of the members of the Loyal Orange Institution of England, on War Service in the World’s Greatest War.”
There is a note that “Our list is by no means exhausted. Many lodges have failed to send in the names of their members on War Service, and many names have been received too late for publication. A large number of Brethren have joined the Ulster Division, which are not reported here.”
Hearts of Oak LOL 1 (Liverpool)
William Tart, Liverpool “Pals”
Joseph Murphy, Liverpool “Pals”
T Watts, 8th King’s Liverpool Regiment
G Clague, ASC
W Cooke, Ulster Division
E Birkett, Ulster Division
B McDonald, Ulster Division
W Hemphill, Ulster Division
The Rising Sons of William LOL 2 (Liverpool)
David McCoy
James Musker
Joshua Robinson
Belfast Patriotic LOL 3 (Liverpool)
William McCleary, 8th King’s Liverpool Regiment
William McKenzie, 8th King’s Liverpool Regiment
George Dixon, 8th King’s Liverpool Regiment
Robert Jackson, Ulster Volunteers
Stewart Donaghy
Thomas Scott
Edward Howe
Joseph Carroll
5
Sons of the Boyne LOL 28 (Liverpool)
William Bredin, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Thomas Johnson, Scots Guards
James Blython, 5th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Frank Adams, Royal Field Artillery
Frederick Edwards, Royal Field Artillery
George Haver, Naval Reserve
William Crosse, Naval Reserve
Thomas Tobias, Naval reserve
Charles Hardman
William Adams
Herbert Adams
Excelsior LOL 57 (Liverpool)
Thomas Wray, King’s Liverpool Regiment
William H Kelly, 9th Battalion, King’s
Harry Morse, 9th Battalion, King’s
Joseph Ismay, 9th Battalion, King’s
Peter Morris, 9th Battalion, King’s
Arthur Britz, 9th Battalion, King’s
John Swinnerton, 9th Battalion, King’s
William Ledson, 9th Battalion, King’s
Thomas McClelland, Loyal North Lancs
Robert McKenzie, Loyal North Lancs
Thomas Moore, 2nd Life Guards
Harry Roberts, South Wales Borderers
John Roberts, South Wales Borderers
Henry Fearon, Inniskilling Fusiliers
William Oliver, Royal Field Artillery
Henry Russell, 1st West Lancs, Royal Field Artillery
F Johnston, Lord Derby’s Artillery
John McClelland, National Reserve
John Russell, Engineers
James Sill, RAMC
John W Taylor, Army Service Corps
John Williams
Sons of Derry LOL 695 (Liverpool)
George Winrow, King’s Liverpool
L G Brennan, Black Watch
James Scott, National Guard
Charles Whiteway, National Guard
Robert Erskine, National Guard
L G Brennan, Black Watch
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Heroes of the Boyne LOL 61 (Liverpool)
Seth Ormondy, 5th King’s Liverpool Regiment
James Bethell, 2nd South Lancashire
Thomas Windermere, 2nd South Lancashire
William Bell, 3rd South Lancashire
Thomas Hannah, 16th Battalion, Cheshires
Robert Hannah, 16th Battalion, Cheshires
John Stringfellow, Palatine Artillery
Edward Jones, Army Service Corps
J G Owens, Royal Navy
Sam Irvine, Royal Navy
Thomas Ramsey, Royal Navy
Kirkdale’s Glory LOL 113 (Liverpool)
H Millington, 8th King’s Liverpool Regiment
J Livingstone, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
W H Clarke
W Major
T Nuttall
G Ralinson
T Eden
J Hayhurst
H Davidson
Royal Standard LOL 787 (Liverpool)
T R Price, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
James McIntosh, Royal Navy
T Stanaway, Royal Navy
Johnson’s True Blues LOL 244 (Liverpool)
Samuel Mitchell, Royal Engineers
William Aldridge, Royal Naval Volunteers
James Stephenson, Liverpool Merchants’ Mobile Hospital, France
Royal Arch Purple Heroes LOL 581 (Liverpool)
J G Paris, 9th King’s Liverpool Regiment
F Allan, 9th King’s Liverpool Regiment
G Maylor, 9th King’s Liverpool Regiment
J Allan, 9th King’s Liverpool Regiment
R Lyness, Loyal North Lancs
W Brayton, South Lancs
J Mevells, South Lancs
E Adgey, 16th Battalion, Cheshires
J Wallace, Black Watch
J Johnstone, 9thInniskilling Fusiliers
I Slater, 9thInniskilling Fusiliers
R Bond, 9thInniskilling Fusiliers
I Houghton, 9thInniskilling Fusiliers
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R Bellis, 9thInniskilling Fusiliers
I Bellis, 9thInniskilling Fusiliers
S Cregeen, 9thInniskilling Fusiliers
B Hughes, Royal Field Artillery
J Joynson, Royal Field Artillery
F Lambert, Royal Field Artillery
W Hathaway
W Hampson
G Purnell
W Gordon
W Jordan
J Taylor
J Bushell
E Bushell
J Welsby
T Swale
Kelsey’s Pride LOL 311 (Liverpool)
A Kelly, 4th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
William Lindsay, 7th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
John T Chapman Jnr, 7th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
W H Kelly, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
James Sill, National Reserve
Charles Alexander
John Lloyd
Richard J Pierce
William Baker
Sons of Enniskillen LOL 265 (Liverpool)
Henry Littlemore, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Alfred Owens, King’s Liverpool Regiment
John Mason, King’s Liverpool Regiment Reserve
George Evans, Lancashire Fusiliers
John Williams, 3rd Company, the Comrades
Edward Williams, 3rd Company, the Comrades
Charles Frodsham, 3rd Company, the Comrades
Ben Bradley, Inniskilling Fusiliers
William Senior, Ulster Volunteers
Edward Charnock, Royal Horse Artillery
Daniel Woods, Royal Garrison Artillery
Thomas Woods, Royal Garrison Artillery
James Dowson, Lord Derby’s Artillery
Jos. Hodgson, National Reserves
Robert Nuir, Dardanelles Fleet
George Chapman, HM Troopship
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Lily of the North LOL 255 (Liverpool)
Thomas N Brown Jnr, 7th King’s Territorial
John Reynolds, Grenadier Guards
Joseph Wilson, Inniskilling Fusiliers
Joseph Hughes, Royal Field Artillery
George Moss, Kitchener’s Army
William Molyneaux, RAMC
George Worthington, Royal Naval Reserve
James Parr
Colonel Saunderson’s Memorial LOL 836 (Liverpool)
Richard Carruthers, 5th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
John Hodge, 7th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
W Vaughan, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
W Dalrymple, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Mark Prytherick, South Lancashires
Tom Howarth, Royal Field Artillery
Ed Dunn, Royal Field Artillery
D Davies, Royal Field Artillery
John Sinwoodie
Star of the East LOL 12 (Liverpool)
E Johnstone
T Evans
J H Kerr
J O’Bryan
D Beck
S S Garrett
T M Castney
J H Bryan
W J M McCormack
E Robinson
Star of the North LOL 36 (Liverpool)
William Travers, 5th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Robert Tollen, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Primrose LOL 248 (Liverpool)
John Vincent Cuthbert, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
I Wilcox, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Robert Marr, 2nd Life Guards
George Cuthbert, Scottish Rifles
Richard Witter, National Reserve
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Protestant Boys of Liverpool LOL 769 (Liverpool)
Joseph Stock, 2nd Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Robert Giles, 8th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Charles Parry, 8th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Archibald Poole, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Samuel Austin, 13th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
William Barrow, 20th Battalion, LKCR
John Swanson, 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment
William Conchie, Royal Engineers
Frank Stock, WLDAC
William Parry, ASC
James Hartless, HMS Blake
Pride of Derry Total Abstinence LOL 760 (Liverpool)
Edward Llewellyn, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Benjamin Llewellyn, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
R Jackson, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
John Testrow, King’s Royal Rifles
Thomas Candleland, Royal Navy
Robert Cooke, Royal Navy
Defenders of Derry LOL 763 (Liverpool)
W Kelro, King’s
J Aspinall, King’s
N Simpson, King’s
H Prichard, South Lancs
J Bird, Welsh Fusiliers
J Paterson, Seaforth Highlanders
J Harrison
England’s Glory LOL 293 (Liverpool)
James Lewis Humphries, 3rd Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
John Boardsman, 3rd Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
William Disley, 4th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
William Jones, 8th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
William White, South Lancs
William Delve, 11th Manchester Regiment
John Moore, Inniskilling Fusiliers
Robert W Humphries, 14th Field Ambulance
Charles Barlow, 148th Brigade
George Morselle
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Derry Walls LOL 21 (Liverpool)
B Parrott
C Cork
J Meadows
H Cliff
David Jones
Thomas Clarke
R Ingham
James Robinson
Old Brunswick LOL 88 (Liverpool)
F Trafford Jnr, 6th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
C Penny Jnr, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
S B Bentley, Loyal North Lancs
J B Dunwoody, Royal Fusiliers
E Weekes, 2nd Dragoon Guards
W Gates, Inniskilling Fusiliers
A Johnson, Lancs, Royal Field Artillery, Lord Derby’s
W G Highton, Liverpool Civic, RAMC
J Ashcroft, Kitchener’s Army
G Allen, Kitchener’s Army
W Webbe, Kitchener’s Army
W Capper, Kitchener’s Army
H Webb, Kitchener’s Army
T Miller, National Reserve
Peter Catterall, HMS Lion
John McDonald, Royal Navy
Stanley Blues LOL 116 (Liverpool)
R Hilton, 11th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
James Hilton, 11th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
John Partington
John Johnson
Peter Cave
The Trevor LOL 368 (Liverpool)
Charles Swash, King’s Liverpool Regiment
James McGlynn, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Thomas Burrows, 11th Hussars
James Carr, RAMC
John Rhodes, National Reserve
William Cowden, National Reserve
Walter Bray, National Reserve
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Protestant Star LOL 782 (Liverpool)
John Whittle, 4th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
Fred Holt, 4th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
J Jones, King’s Liverpool Regiment, “Liverpool Pals”
A Unsworth, 9th Territorials
G H Chappell, Rifle Brigade
Rose of England LOL 235 (Liverpool)
J T Coffey, Royal Field Artillery
Robert Howarth, National Reserve
Pride of Walton LOL 258 (Liverpool)
T Jones, Royal Navy
T Leeson, Royal Navy
G F Deacon
E George
J H Owens
J Davies
J Anthony
W Spencer
Allan McDougall
A Cole
E Steen
H Lewis
T Walker
J Owens
J Campbell
R Proctor
J Sharples
W Rogers
J Hughes
W Gore
Pride of Aintree LOL 757 (Liverpool)
William Jones, 9th Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers
The Ivy LOL 783 (Liverpool)
W Woodward, King’s Liverpool Regiment
W Physhian, King’s Liverpool Regiment
J Johnson, Inniskilling Fusiliers
C Lacey, Royal Field Artillery
S Brown, Royal Field Artillery
A Pattie, Royal Garrison Artillery
H Clayton, Royal Garrison Artillery
S Mooney, Royal Naval Reserve
W Rhodes, Royal Naval Reserve
J Gregson, RFR
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Pride of the North LOL 841 (Liverpool)
Thomas Taft, Durham Light Infantry
Earl of Derby LOL 846 (Liverpool)
Ernest Smith, 43rd Field Ambulance, RAMC
The Everett LOL 108 (Liverpool)
Thomas H Jones, 3rd Battalion, Liverpool Pals
Albert Coslett, 4th Battalion, Liverpool Pals
William Woods, 9th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
John Alfred Humphries, Wiltshire Regiment
George Gilbert, 6th Rifles Ter.
Thomas H Forshaw, Army Service Corps
Albert Caryl, Queen’s Boys
Edward W Bessant, National Reserve
The Liverpool Heroes LOL 374 (Liverpool)
J Middleton, 11th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
S Trenshaw, 12th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
R Prophet, South Lancashire Regiment
R Harrison, 9thInniskilling Fusiliers
W Miney, 9th Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers
T Day, 9th Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers
W Burgess, Royal Field Artillery
J Hughes, Royal Field Artillery
J Goldstone, Royal Field Artillery
J Beggs, WLG Artillery
T Frost, 3rd WL Field Artillery
J Kerr, 1st West Lancs Ar.
W Wittle
C Poole
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Old Swan Royal Arch Purple Heroes LOL 810 (Liverpool)
W Reid, 3rd Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
W Dennett, 4th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
J Leatherbarrow, 4th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
T Fletcher, 5th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
W Harkwell, 8th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
A Shelbourne, 11th Service Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
E Stock, 15th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment
J Donaldson, East Lancashire Regiment
W Houghton, South Lancashire Regiment
L Herbert, South Lancashire Regiment
R Keir, South Lancashire Regiment
J Rooney, South Lancashire Regiment
George Clarke, North Lancashire Regiment
W Ackers, Cheshire Regiment (Bantam)
J Lunn, 2nd Highland Light Infantry
A Mason, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
George Clarke, Palatine Artillery
R Solivan, HMS Euarbyas
J Elliott, Royal Naval Reserve
W Johnston, National Reserve
T Naylor, National Reserve
J Maguire, National Reserve
A Johnston, National Reserve
The Star of Toxteth LOL 105 (Liverpool)