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The warrant for LOL 398 was originally raised in County Cavan in 1798 which was 3 years after the Battle of the Diamond was fought. Over a number of years the Warrant was also transferred to County Leitrim & returning back to County Cavan until the 4th October 1893 when once again it was raised in Ballymacarrett Orange Hall in East Belfast bearing the name of Ballymacarrett Apprentices Boys Temperance LOL 398. The Lodge was mainly made up at this time of Apprentices who were employed in Harland & Wolfe Shipyard at the time when the threat of Home Rule was around & LOL 398 if called upon to do so were among the many that had rigorously fought to oppose this. Unfortunately we find ourselves in the same situation today but I am sure that LOL 398 will once again do the same as our Brother in the past done. It is also worth noting that in Lewes in the South of England there is also a Lodge bearing the same number. At one time LOL 398 had 394 members on the roll that is 4 short of the number on our collaret’s.
In 1993 the Lodge celebrated our Centenary & a special dinner was held on Saturday 3rd October 1993 in the Park Avenue Hotel in which the Past Grand Master of Ireland Most Worshipful Brother Reverend Martyn Smith MP was the guest Speaker. The evening was a complete success & it was rounded of with a presentation to RT Worshipful Brother Arthur Best PM, PDM, DGMI & Wor Bro George Best PM. It showed how much the 2 Brethren were respected in the Lodge as the Guests gave the 2 Brethren a standing ovation & sustained applause.
During the 1st World War 43 of the Brethren of LOL 398 had volunteered to join his Majesty’s Forces. The majority had enlisted in the Ulster Volunteers Force. It is sad to report that 19 of the Brethren had paid the Supreme sacrifice in this war. Today we still remember these 19 brave Brethren of our Lodge along with many others who were killed in the War, as we take part in the now popular & well supported Annual Battle of the Somme Commemoration Parade every 1st July.
LOL 398 has over the years built up a friendship with King William LOL 102 Paisley & this has been due to the fact that every year representatives of the 2 Lodge have been attending each others Battle of the Boyne Celebrations. This friendship would not have flourished without the help of Worshipful Brother William Gillespie (LOL 102) & Wor Bro Thomas Nightingale PM & the late Wor Bro Albert Purvis PM. Without the work behind the scenes, which these Brethren had done, the relationship between the 2 Lodges may have ended years ago. It is evident how strong the friendship is between the 2 Lodges as in 2003 Wor Bro Gillespie came over to Belfast to unfurl our New Banner along with a number of Brethren of LOL 102.
There are a number of Brethren in LOL 398 who have been elected & installed into various Offices within the County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast or in Ballymacarrett District LOL No6.
Worshipful District Master RT Wor Bro James Watson PM PDM.
RT Wor Bro Arthur Best PM, PDM, DGMI.
D/County Grand Treasurer Wor Bro John Patterson PM.
Deputy District Master Wor Bro Thomas Nightingale PM. (2002-2003), Past District Master Ballymacarrett District JLOL.
Assistant District Treasurer Wor Bro Paul Perryman PM.
Past Grand Master of the
West of Canada RT Wor Bro John Coburn*
* = RT Wor Bro John Coburn was a long standing member of LOL 398 prior to his emigration to Canada in the early 1980’s.
This is indeed a great achievement & honour for LOL 398.
As the Years moved on there have been a number of Brethren who have tried to encourage the Brethren & it would be amiss of us as a Lodge if we did not pay tribute to the Late Wor Bro Arthur Best PM Lodge Treasurer &Wor Bro George Best PM who until the year 2000 was our Lodge Secretary.
RT Wor Bro Arthur Best was initiated into the Lodge on the 14th June 1937 & he became Worshipful Master in 1954 & after his year of Office was complete he immediately went into the Office of Lodge Treasurer a position he held for 42 years.
In October 1968 Wor Bro Arthur was elected into the Office of Worshipful District Master. Upon Congratulating Brother Best on his elevation, Brother Best replied that this was not only a personal Honour for himself but also for LOL 398. He also received the honour of becoming a Deputy Grand Master of Ireland.
Wor Bro Arthur was what many would describe as a True Orangeman. LOL 398 was stunned & saddened in April 1997 when Brother Arthur was called home to be with his Saviour. After his passing his Grandson Wor Bro John Patterson took over the position of Lodge Treasurer.
Wor Bro George Best the nephew of Brother Arthur Best was Lodge Secretary for 40 Years. Worshipful Master of LOL 398 from 1960 - 2000 have always found Wor Bro George Best a great source of help & inspiration. Without the work that these 2 Brethren done LOL 398 would not be what it is today.
LOL 398 maybe steeped in History but we must also look to the future with great enthusiasm & vigour. Whatever we may come up against from the Enemies of Ulster I am confident that LOL 398 will continue to strive & work for the Protestant Faith & our Anthem shall be the same today that our Brave forefather shouted far & wide in the Years gone by NO SURRENDER.
