BYGONE DAYS OF YORE: 1950s - Flags fly from cathedral to mark ‘shutting of the gates’

Although the celebration of the anniversary of the 262nd ‘Shutting of the Gates of Derry’ in 1688 was marked in Londonderry on Saturday, December 16, 1950 on the following Monday, “the actual eighteenth”, was by the flying of Crimson flags from the the ancient St Columb’s Cathedral, the Apprentice Boys of Derry Memorial Hall and the Walker Memorial Pillar, and the ringing of the cathedral bells.
Picture courtesy of Ian BurnsPicture courtesy of Ian Burns
Picture courtesy of Ian Burns

The actual celebration, which took place on Saturday for the convenience members of the Apprentice’ Boys Order who had to travel from a distance, included a special anniversary service in Derry Cathedral and the burning of the giant effigy of Lundy the Traitor.

“Today’s celebration by the Apprentice Boys of Derry of the 262nd anniversary of the Shutting of the Gates of the Maiden City against Lord Antrim’s Redshanks will serve a two-fold purpose,” declared the editorial published by the Londonderry Sentinel that Saturday.

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The editorial went on to declared: “It will commemorate the resolution of thirteen gallant youths, who performed a deed which their elders were slow to authorise, but soon endorsed and which changed the course of history.

TRAITOR... The finishing touches are added to an effigy of 'Lundy the Traitor' ahead of the Apprentice Boys' annual 'Shutting of the Gates' demonstration. Taken in 1960s.TRAITOR... The finishing touches are added to an effigy of 'Lundy the Traitor' ahead of the Apprentice Boys' annual 'Shutting of the Gates' demonstration. Taken in 1960s.
TRAITOR... The finishing touches are added to an effigy of 'Lundy the Traitor' ahead of the Apprentice Boys' annual 'Shutting of the Gates' demonstration. Taken in 1960s.

“Their civil and religious liberties were at stake and they met those who would take them away with the city’s war-cry, ‘No Surrender’.

“Today’s commemoration is a much-needed reminder that exactly the same kind of foes, aided by the inevitable traitors as of yore, are as active as ever. Their ways are different, but their goal is the same. By brazen falsehood and insidious propaganda they would seek to undermine Ulster’s constitution and drive the loyalists of the north into an Irish Republic.

“If all loyalists show the same resolution as the Apprentice Boys of 1688, and, indeed, as those of today and the intervening years, all the machinations of their enemies will fail, because the answer will be the same as ever.”

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The preacher at the service was, Brother the Reverend G F Anderson, MA, Rector of Killeter, Co Tyrone, who said they could “call to remembrance something more than the story of the children of Israel”.

Left to right are Wor Bro Jimmy Black LOL 1075, Wor Bro Billy Hull, WM LOL 1075 and Wor Bro Reverend Desmond Hanna LOL 747, Rector of St Christophers Parish Church, Mersey Street. The date is July 12th, 1973 and the photograph shows Bro Black being presented with a long service medal before his lodge Pride of Ballymacarrett Temperance LOL 1075 set off from Dee Street to join with Ballymacarrett District LOL 6. Picture courtesy of William CraigLeft to right are Wor Bro Jimmy Black LOL 1075, Wor Bro Billy Hull, WM LOL 1075 and Wor Bro Reverend Desmond Hanna LOL 747, Rector of St Christophers Parish Church, Mersey Street. The date is July 12th, 1973 and the photograph shows Bro Black being presented with a long service medal before his lodge Pride of Ballymacarrett Temperance LOL 1075 set off from Dee Street to join with Ballymacarrett District LOL 6. Picture courtesy of William Craig
Left to right are Wor Bro Jimmy Black LOL 1075, Wor Bro Billy Hull, WM LOL 1075 and Wor Bro Reverend Desmond Hanna LOL 747, Rector of St Christophers Parish Church, Mersey Street. The date is July 12th, 1973 and the photograph shows Bro Black being presented with a long service medal before his lodge Pride of Ballymacarrett Temperance LOL 1075 set off from Dee Street to join with Ballymacarrett District LOL 6. Picture courtesy of William Craig

He said: “We can call to mind the story of the Christian Church and remember how that church has seemed to be at the point of death, but God raised up some prophetic soul and the church found new and more glorious life, as in the days of Luther, Calvin, Knox, and Wesley.

He continued: “We, today recall with gratitude the Reformation of the church. We remember with gratitude the strivings of our forefathers for true religion, for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. But today we call to remembrance the heroic stand that our forefathers made in this city in defence of the true faith, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Those men had returned to the true Catholic faith, and having been illuminated, they were prepared to endure a great fight of afflictions, and took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better and an enduring’ substance.

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“We call to remembrance those days with thanksgiving to Almighty God for a heritage that is worth more than the possession of the whole world. We cannot do otherwise than, therefore, attach special importance to the siege of this city.

Pictured in 2006 sheltering from the weather during Lundy Day events in Londonderry are Mark Beattie, John McGinty, Scott Baillie and Richard Hemple. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin/Londonderry Sentinel archivesPictured in 2006 sheltering from the weather during Lundy Day events in Londonderry are Mark Beattie, John McGinty, Scott Baillie and Richard Hemple. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin/Londonderry Sentinel archives
Pictured in 2006 sheltering from the weather during Lundy Day events in Londonderry are Mark Beattie, John McGinty, Scott Baillie and Richard Hemple. Picture: Margaret McLaughlin/Londonderry Sentinel archives

“There have been hundreds of battles between men in the length and breadth of our land, and yet we don’t parade with bands to commemorate them.”

NO ORDINARY BATTLE

Describing the Siege of Derry as “no ordinary battle”, Mr Anderson said on the one side stood “a power which was trying to bring our forefathers under the control of Rome, but our forefathers had been illuminated, they resisted that power, they closed the gates of Derry and suffered a long and tragic Siege”.

“So you and I have come here under that freedom to worship and praise our God and to thank Him that He found faithful witnesses to preserve for us this great heritage”, he continued.

An Orange rally at Belfast City Hall to demonstrate about security in Northern Ireland in March 1980. Picture: Pacemaker PressAn Orange rally at Belfast City Hall to demonstrate about security in Northern Ireland in March 1980. Picture: Pacemaker Press
An Orange rally at Belfast City Hall to demonstrate about security in Northern Ireland in March 1980. Picture: Pacemaker Press
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“So we gather here to call to mind that great religious struggle, that we might take courage and follow in those noble footsteps. We still hold fast to that true faith, the open Bible, and the worship of the same still loving, active, seeking God, Who will still lead His people. But the Roman Church is not the same; he is still adding her doctrines to the faith, in which her followers are compelled to believe, going further and further away from, the one true Catholic Church.”

The service was conducted by the Dean of Derry (Very Reverend L R Lawrenson, MA), assisted by the Reverend G C Willoughby, MA, and the Reverend C R J Bradley, MA. Mr M H Franklin, Mus Bac, the cathedral organist, was at the organ, and there was a full choir. After the service the procession reformed and was led by the following: Governor (Brother J Campbell); Lieutenant-Governor (Brother W I Craig); General Secretary (Brother H Rutherford); General Treasurer (Brother J H Lapsley); Chaplain (Brother J A Harte); Brother Sir Ronald Rose, Bt, MC, MP; Brother R J Smyth, Chairman of the Belfast Amalgamated Committee; J Smyth, J McAleese and L Humphries (Treasurer) of that committee. Apprentice Boys were present from the various branches in Northern Ireland and Donegal. The route included the principal streets of the city and at dusk the Lieutenant-Governor had the honour of setting the effigy of Lundy alight at the Walker Memorial Pillar on the City Walls.

LUNDY EFFIGY BURNED IN OMAGH

Despite slippery roads and slush, 3,000 loyalists assembled in Omagh on Monday, December 18, 1950 to witness a seventeen foot high effigy of Lundy being hanged and duly burned. Mullaghmore and LOL No 937 pipe bands headed the procession of Apprentice Boys from Omagh, Cappagh and Plumbridge Branch Clubs, through the town. Brother C A Beattie, JP, District Master of Omagh LOL, applied the torch to the effigy.

SQUALLS FAIL TO DETER CELEBRATIONS

“Gales cause damage along Ulster coast, shipping delayed. Caravan blown over,” declared the headlines in the Londonderry Sentinel on the day that the anniversary of the 264th ‘Shutting of the Gates of Derry’ in December 1952.

Members of Young Mens Christian Total Abstinence LOL 747 on 12th July prior to leaving the WMs home for the walk to Barnetts Demesne in Belfast. Picture courtesy of William CraigMembers of Young Mens Christian Total Abstinence LOL 747 on 12th July prior to leaving the WMs home for the walk to Barnetts Demesne in Belfast. Picture courtesy of William Craig
Members of Young Mens Christian Total Abstinence LOL 747 on 12th July prior to leaving the WMs home for the walk to Barnetts Demesne in Belfast. Picture courtesy of William Craig
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Constant downpours on the day failed to deter the celebrations, and indeed the Londonderry Sentinel noted that there was “no lack in fervour or enthusiasm” as the officers and members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry processed to the divine service held at St Columb’s Cathedral were the listened to “an inspiring address” by Brother the Reverend S Chadwick, MA, rector of Donagheady, who eloquently recalled the stirring deed of the ‘Gallant Thirteen’ in shutting the gates of the city against the opposing forces.

Subsequently, many brethren and other onlookers gathered at Mall Wall for the burning, from Walker’s Pillar, of the giant effigy of Lundy, the siege traitor.

The Governor (Brother John Campbell), the General Secretary (Brother Henry Rutherford), the General Treasurer (Brother James H Lapsley), the General Chaplain (Brother Reverend G M Bryson), the General Lay Chaplain (Brother John Harte), Brother Reverend John Brown, MA, and other members of the General Committee, headed the procession of Apprentice Boys, which marched through the city at the conclusion of the service.

They were accompanied by Brothers R J Smyth, JP, Chairman, James Smyth, JP, vice-chairman, and James McAleese, Secretary, of the Belfast Amalgamated Committee, and by Brother C Turkington, of the Mid-Ulster Amalgamated Committee.

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There were also many officers and members of branch clubs in, the procession, which, was led by the Britannia Brass and Reed Band, marched via Pump Street, Carlisle Road, Abercorn Road, Bishop Street, The Diamond and Butcher Street to the Wall.

18FT HIGH LUNDY EFFIGY

That year the Baker Club were in charge of the arrangements for the burning of the effigy of Lundy, which took place at dusk. Once again, the eighteen-feet high figure, weighing a ton, was built under the direction of Brothers Andrew Creswell and Robert Jackson, Snr, both members of the Browning Club.

The honour of applying the light to the effigy fell this year to Master Raymond Lapsley, the seven year-old son of the General Treasurer. Lundy burned for half an hour.

During the day a considerable number of new members were initiated into the ranks of the Apprentice Boys Order.

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The bells of the cathedral were rung, and the Siege colour, crimson, was flown from the Memorial Hall, Walker’s Pillar and also the Cathedral.

The cathedral service was conducted by the Dean of Derry (the Very Reverend L R Lawrenson, MA), assisted by the Reverend C R J Bradley, MA, and Reverend G J A Carson, MA, curates. Captain A H Sweet, Deputy Cathedral Organist, was at the organ. The collection was in aid of the Lord Enniskillen Memorial Orphan Society.

Brother Chadwick, in his sermon, said their thoughts returned to the memorable Siege of Deny and the glorious deeds of valour of those who had been engaged in that “long and weary struggle for the freedom of this city and for civil and religious liberty”.

He remarked: “We think of the beginning of that conflict; of the closing of the Gates of Derry against the soldiers of the weak and intolerant King James II. It had been a brave act of those, gallant and resolute young Apprentice Boys, when they had resolved that Lord Antrim’s forces should not pass within the Walls of Derry.

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“They had drawn their swords, run to the main guard, seized the keys, rushed to the Ferry Gate, drawn up the bridge and locked the gate. Soon they had secured the other three Gates – Bishop’s Gate, Butcher’s Gate and Shipquay Gate, and the forces of James’ army had been withheld from entering the city.”

The preacher continued: “The Shutting of the Gates had been but the beginning of a lengthy time of trouble and endurance for the brave inhabitants of the city. From generation to generation has been handed down the story of the suffering, heroism and devotion to the call of duty of the men who had fought the Walls of Derry.

“They had been men of courage and endurance, those defenders, and in their time of adversity their voices had been often uplifted in prayer to God.”

DISTRESSING PERIOD

Referring to the “distressing period” which the world had been passing through since the Great War, Brother Chadwick said: “The immediate future, with its many problems, was likely to prove a time of difficulty, a time of testing for nations and for individuals.

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He continued: “We shall all need God’s help, God’s, guidance, and support, if we are to be true to our calling. It is likely to prove a time of testing characters, old and young. The world is war weary, and the world is restless.

“The call to service comes to one and all. While we hold fast to our position within the great British Commonwealth we are citizens of no mean state, and, as such, we know the privileges we enjoy, and the duties we owe as Christian citizens

“We are to be loyal to our God, our Queen and our lawfully established government.”

Concluding, Brother Chadwick said that already Queen Elizabeth had “won the hearts of her loyal people who rejoiced that under God, she reigns. With what feelings of joyful anticipation we look forward for her Coronation and for her visit to Northern Ireland next summer.”

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