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NEWTOWNARDS EX-SERVICEMEN'S LOL 1952

V.E. Remembrance Parade

Newtownards Ex-Servicemen's LOL 1952 hold a V.E. Remembrance Parade on the nearest Friday to the anniversary of the Victory in Europe. This year's parade will take place on Friday 9th May, moving off at 7.45pm and will finish at approximately 8.45pm.

The parade and service is very important to LOL 1952 as the Lodge was formed by veterans of the Second World War. This year is special as we celebrate the Lodge's 60th anniversary. With this in mind we write to invite all District members to participate in this act of remembrance in support of the men who never made it back, and the founder members of LOL 1952 who are no longer with us.

Newtownards Ex-Servicemen LOL 1952 was formed on Monday 9th August 1948. The ceremony was conducted by Bro James Smyth, Worshipful Master of Newtownards District LOL No.4.

It was mentioned that this was the first Lodge instituted locally for something like sixty years, and it was disclosed at the time that the officers were looking forward to having a membership of, at least, 200.

The following Officers were installed by Bro, the Rt Hon J. M. Andrews, C.H., D.L., M.P., County Grand Master, assisted by Bro. Alex J. Conway, D.G.M.I.:

W.M. Bro John McDade; D.M. Bro David Edgar; Secretary, Bro Samuel Doak; Treasurer, Bro Walter Carter; Chaplain, Bro Jack Poole; Tyler, Bro Samuel Boyd; Committee - Bros. Edwin Savage, Albert McAllister and Wm Boyd.

During speeches made that night Bro. McDade explained that the real founder member of LOL 1952 was actually Bro. Joseph Adair, of 1055. Bro. Adair is the father of Bro. David Adair and grandfather of Bro. Colin Adair who both still serve with pride within the ranks of 1952, thus ensuring that the family name of its founding member carries on the tradition within the Lodge.

The Lodge was confined to ex-servicemen of the 1914-18 and 1939-45 wars and to serving men and as there was over a thousand ex-servicemen in Newtownards they did not think that they would have any difficulty in raising over 200 members.

Today the Lodge have the honour of leading the District's annual Somme Remembrance Parade each 1st of July.

12th of July 2005

LOL 1952 before the parade in Newtownards 2005 (Best turned out Lodge in District 2005)

Worshipful Master Davie Hunt talking to LOL 1952 outside his house before the parade

Dr Wrights Pipe Band (Irish Pipe Band Champions) who accompanied LOL 1952 on parade

Worshipful Master, Deputy Master, Officers and sword bearers of LOL 1952

Previous Worshipful Masters of LOL 1952

Brothers Casson & Hirons as sword bearers on the 12th

Boyne Cultural Trip

These photos show members of LOL 1952 during the cultural visit they made to Drogheda Town Hall and the Battle of the Boyne site on 16th August 2003.