HARMONY LOL 858
The Warrant has been working under the City of Londonderry Grand Lodge for over one hundred years, being re-issued to the late Bro. W.H. Platt, the first W.M. and Bro. W. Synott, Deputy Master who, along with the other brethren, applied for it in 1903 after it had ceased to function at Killymallaght. The other founding brethren were from L.O.L.’s 679, 805, 871, 1007, 1087, 1683 and 1912.
The Lodge is fortunate to have all the minute and roll books from 1903, also the last few minutes of the Killymallaght meetings.
Since 1903, the Lodge has always met in the Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall. Meetings were held on the first Tuesday until 1915 and then changed to the second Tuesday. It was again changed in 1938 to the first Monday and this has continued until the present time.
Names considered for the Lodge in 1903 were Harmony, St. Columb’s, Alexandria and St. John. Harmony was successful and members, both past and present, have endeavoured to live up to the name as far as possible.
First dues were 6p per month, initiation fee for the Orange was 2/6p and 5/-d for the Purple Order.
Twenty-eight members answered the call of King and Country in the Great War 1914/18, two of whom did not return. In the 1939/45 War, six Brethren served in the forces and all returned safe and sound. During the recent troubles, which have affected so many of our Brethren and their families, one member Bro. R. Stott (U.D.R.) was murdered by the I.R.A. in 1975. Bro. J. Robb (R.U.C.R.) was injured in 1983, but thankfully made a recovery and is back amongst us.
First collarettes were purchased in 1904. Twenty cost £7-8-11p. First flag
in 1908 and second in 1927 cost
£12-5-0p.
In 1952 forty five collarettes were bought at a cost of £22-17-6p and they were worn with pride by the members as they celebrated the Battle of the Boyne.
On the 10th November, 1953, Harmony L.O.L. 858 celebrated its Golden Jubilee, and we recently celebrated our 100th Anniversary.
Our first banner was unfurled in 1970 at a cost of £104. Our present banner was unfurled in 1981 at a cost of £450.
There are currently 22 members on the roll. We are proud to have as members of the lodge, Bro J Miller, Alderman of Londonderry and Past Mayor and Bro J Brownlee, the present Governor of the Apprentice Boys Association. Bro A Torrens has served for 50 years in the order and the late Bros R A Orr, W People and J Gallick also served the lodge for well over 50 years.