28/07/2025
Killyman True Blues L.O.L. No. 148
The Early Years
Killyman True Blues L.O.L. No. 148 appears to have been founded in 1865 by Ulstermen settled in the independent Burgh of Partick, under a warrant from the Grand Protestant Association of Loyal Orangemen of Scotland. District No. 15 had been established by the Association in 1858 to oversee the growing number of lodges in the burgh, which at that time included the village of Whiteinch.
Whiteinch, which was named after an island in the middle of the River Clyde that had disappeared due to extensive dredging works in the mid-nineteenth century, underwent a remarkable transformation during the Industrial Revolution. The once-rural village was reshaped into a bustling industrial and urban area as the Clyde was widened and deepened to accommodate the growing shipbuilding industry. This economic boom attracted a significant number of Protestant migrants from Ireland, many of whom brought with them their cultural traditions, including membership in the Orange Institution.
A short report in the Belfast Weekly News on 29 April 1871 records a meeting of Killyman True Blues held in their lodge room in Partick on 17 April that year, with Brother Joseph Fullerton in the chair and Deputy Master Brother William Patterson in the vice-chair. During the election of officers, the Right Worshipful Master, as they were known in those days, vacated the chair, thanked the brethren for their support over the previous two years, and declined re-election. Brother Charles Sloss, Deputy Master of Cathcart District No. 17, presided over the elections, which returned Brother James Matchell as R.W.M., Brother H. Kennedy as Deputy Master, Brother R. Henderson as Secretary, and Brother J. Bryce as Treasurer.
On 12 July 1874, Killyman True Blues joined other lodges of District No. 15 at the Burgh Hall on Maxwell Street for the annual Twelfth parade. Lodges present included Nos. 10, 25, 28, 43, 50, 64, 69, 98, 113, 116, 119, 139, 142, 148, 153, 167, 185, 209, 221, 225, and 1018. They were joined by brethren from Partick District No. 1 of the Loyal Orange Institution of Great Britain, who had seceded from the Grand Protestant Association over disputes with the civil magistrateās ban on parades. The procession followed a route, similar to the one still followed today, through Dumbarton Road, St. Vincent Street, George Square, Hanover Street, Ingram Street, Candleriggs Street, Trongate, and London Street to Glasgow Green, where they met up with the Glasgow brethren before proceeding to Broomhouse for the main demonstration. On the platform stood the Grand Master of the Association, George MacLeod, alongside the District Masters of Partick and other dignitaries.
At a lodge meeting on Monday 5 March 1877, held in St. Maryās Hall on Dumbarton Road, the following officers were elected: James Bates as R.W.M., Hugh Rice as Deputy Master, S. Courtney as Chaplain (re-elected), James Beason as Secretary (re-elected), and Samuel Wallace as Treasurer (re-elected). After the business was concluded, the brethren retired to the refreshment table. Toasts were proposed to the āHealth of the Office-Bearers and Prosperity to the Killyman True Blues,ā and to āThe Health of the Queen and the Royal Family.ā Further toasts were offered to the owner and editor of the Belfast Newsletter. Samuel Wallace sang āThe Armagh Market Cross,ā and after more songs, the evening concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.
The minutes from the lodge room at 292 Windsor Place (formerly St. Maryās Hall) on Monday 3 February 1879 show Br. James Bates in the chair and Br. S. Courtney in the vice-chair. Chaplain Joseph Fullerton opened with a reading from Scripture. In March, William Christie was elected R.W.M., with S. Courtney re-elected as Deputy Master, Matthew Allison as Chaplain, James Benson as Secretary, and James Bates as Treasurer. The meeting concluded with singing, including the song āAn Orange Apron Trimmed with Blue.ā
On 2 July 1895, Killyman True Blues met in the Orange Hall on Rosevale Street with John Kerr presiding and John Callaghan in the vice-chair. Plans were finalised for the upcoming demonstration in Falkirk. Brother John Proctor was presented with a beautiful sash and a purse of money in recognition of his fourteen years of service as Lodge Secretary.
At the meeting on Tuesday 5 April 1906, also held in Rosevale Street, Brother W. Courtney was in the chair with Fred Courtney as Vice-Chair. William Courtney had also served as the District Master of Whiteinch District No. 39. The lodgeās New Hall Fund was the first item on the agenda, and members pledged full support for a lantern lecture scheduled for 12 April. Arrangements were made for the annual Easter Monday drumming party, a beloved tradition maintained by those keen to preserve the Ulster custom of the Lambeg drums or ābig drumsā in the west of Scotland. Killyman True Blues No. 148 had members active in this cultural preservation. Another local lodge, Tyrone True Blues L.O.L. 64, whose members hailed from Killyman and Loughgall, paraded with Lambeg drums and fifes before their October 1904 meeting. The Belfast Weekly Telegraph records that in 1906, L.O.L. 148 brought their big drums to the Twelfth parade in Rutherglen, attracting such a large crowd that they struggled to exit the park.
A clipping from the Belfast Weekly News dated 28 December 1906 tells us that on 18 December, the lodges from Whiteinch, including 148, 64, 221 and 284, held a parade and burning of the traitor Lundy to commemorate the closing of the Gates of Derry. With the sound of the āIrish Drumsā reverberating around the village for over two hours, one could have been forgiven for thinking the shipyards were working!
At the lodge meeting in November 1907, the brethren gathered for toasts and songs while awaiting the results of the municipal elections. News of George Douglasās victory in the Fourth Ward was met with great enthusiasm, as the brethren viewed it as a blow against socialism in Glasgow and the West of Scotland. The meeting closed with renditions of āAuld Lang Syne,ā āDerryās Walls,ā and āGod Save the King.ā
Earlier that same year, on 9 May 1907, the lodge lost one of its founding members, Brother Joseph Simpson, affectionately known as āOld Joe.ā He had been the caretaker of Partick Orange Hall since its opening in 1886 and was believed to be the oldest Orangeman in the Partick and Whiteinch Districts. Born in Killyman, County Tyrone, where his brother and sister still lived, he had been initiated into L.O.L. 90 in Moy in County Tyrone before emigrating to Scotland. He helped form Killyman True Blues No. 148 in 1865 and remained a member until his death. He was also a member of Britonsā Sons R.B.P. No. 187 in Partick. His funeral was paid for by the Orangemen of Partick and Whiteinch. A massive procession, led by the Partick Gospel Brass Band, took two hours to reach Sighthill Cemetery. Orangemen, Blackmen, and Apprentice Boys of Derry all took part.
On 6 June 1912, a social gathering was held in the Orange Hall in Partick to celebrate the unfurling of a new lodge flag. Over two hundred officers, brethren, and guests were in attendance. The Grand Master, Rev. David Ness M.A. of Whiteinch Parish Church, presided and was joined by his wife. Other notable attendees included David Thomson D.D.M., John Copeland D.S., William Courtney W.M. of L.O.L. 148, William J. Hughes P.M., Abraham Courtney D.M., John Procter (Secretary), and William Best (Treasurer). During a break in the concert programme, Brother Courtney expressed the lodgeās honour at the Grand Masterās presence and presented Mrs. Ness with a pair of silver scissors. She cut an orange and purple ribbon to reveal a magnificent blue silk flag with an orange border. One side featured a painting of King William, and the other the Londonderry coat-of-arms with the Maiden City motto āVita, Veritas, Victoria.ā The flag was the work of Brother Mitchelson of Glasgow, a member of the Orange Order, the Black Institution, and the Apprentice Boys of Derry.
One of the lodgeās most distinguished members, Brother W.J. Hughes, was honoured at a special celebration on 4 September 1909 marking his fiftieth year as an Orangeman. He was presented with a concert flute and was also a member of the Partick branch of the Murray Club. Like āOld Joe,ā he had begun his Orange journey in L.O.L. 90 in Moy, County Tyrone, in 1859. After joining L.O.L. 221 in the early 1860s, where he served as Worshipful Master, he later transferred to L.O.L. 148, eventually becoming its Master. He was also a member of Britonsā Sons R.B.P. No. 187.
Another notable member was Samuel Leckie, a soldier originally from Saintfield, County Down. He transferred into L.O.L. 148 from L.O.L. 365 in 1879. A veteran of the 1st Battalion Border Regiment, he had served in India, where he was Master of an Orange lodge and received a medal for his service in the Umbeyla Expedition. He became the first District Master of Whiteinch District No. 39 upon its formation in 1889, holding the position until 1893. A staunch advocate of temperance, he helped found L.O.L. 225, one of the earliest total abstinence lodges. He also served as District Master of Partick No. 15 until ill health forced his resignation. He passed away on 1 October 1908 at the age of 64 and was buried with full Orange honours at Lambhill Cemetery. Orangemen, Freemasons, Rechabites, and Shepherds gathered in great numbers, with hundreds crowding around his home at 314 Dumbarton Road to pay their respects.
Another prominent member of L.O.L. 148 was Brother Robert Nisbet, who became District Master of Maryhill District No. 46. Nisbet was initiated into Knightswood L.O.L. 1018 and transferred to L.O.L. 148 when his mother lodge became dormant. He went on to become a founding member and Worthy Master of Garscube Sons of William Rising Star L.O.L. 150 in Temple or Netherton. He also served as Deputy Master of Sir Knight Samuel Youngās R.B.P. 212. Described as a ācapital singerā in a newspaper report, his services in this aspect were called upon regularly by his brethren.
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Killyman True Blues L.O.L. No. 148 is now part of Whiteinch District No. 7 and meets in the Orange Hall, Northinch Street, at 7:30pm on the 1st Friday of the month. The lodge is always on the lookout for new or lapsed members looking to come back into the fold. Visiting Brethren in good standing are always most welcome.
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Thanks to the Glasgow Covenanter for his research.
