Sons of Joseph Royal Black Preceptory enjoy milestone

20 October 2021

A CENTENARY is an important and historical milestone for any organisation and we in Clough RBP 1044 are especially proud, given the dedication and sacrifice our men paid to ensure the Loyal Orders not just existed, but thrived in the village over the past century.

Our historical and very fragile minute and dues’ books take us back to 1920 with 28 Sir Knights recorded as members. Our first Worshipful Master on record was James Watson — my great great uncle.

From the beginning, all business and meetings were conducted in Clough Orange Hall although records show throughout the early 1940s various meetings were held in our neighbouring townland of Drumcaw, in Drumcaw Orange Hall, the old Gym Hall at Clough Presbyterian Church and in of Clough Presbyterian Church Hall’s committee room.

The first recorded Black demonstration our Preceptory attended was in Comber in 1923 and throughout the early years, we have records

showing Sir Knights attending demonstrations in Newry, Dromore, Warrenpoint, Downpatrick, Banbridge and Castlewellan, travelling by cars, buses, and train.

In September 1931, the Preceptory unfurled a new banner made by Bridgett’s of Belfast.

Throughout the war years —from 1939 to 1945 — the Preceptory continued to meet to transact business and a lot of names in the lodges in Clough and in neighbouring areas can also be found in the ranks of the local Home Guard battalions, enlisting to do their bit during World War Two.

In May 1953, the Preceptory, with

permission from Clough LOL 1043, undertook updating and decorating the lodge room in Clough Orange Hall, demonstrating their dedication and care for the upkeep of the building that had been formed over three decades earlier.

In the same year, the Black demonstration was in Dromore, the Preceptory asked Drumcaw Pipe Band to accompany them to the parade. It is recorded that in the event of the band not being able to assist, Clough Flute Band would then be asked. This is probably reflective of the preferred music to march to at that time.

The Black demonstration in 1954 was held in Dundrum, with the Preceptory parading with Clough Flute Band from the village into Dundrum and then back again that afternoon, while September 1964 brought the proposal for a new banner to be commissioned and this was unanimously passed, with a levy of £2 per member agreed to start the banner fund.

The new banner was completed on the July 26, 1965 and unfurled on August 6 of that year. Mr Jordan of Clough kindly supplied the Mount field for the ceremony and Mrs Faulkner carried out the unfurling. Our records state that both the Mourne Observer and Down Recorder newspapers were present and covered the occasion.

The outbreak of the troubles in the late 60s and into the 70s, 80s and 90s again marked a period in the Preceptory’s history where its membership stood up to defend community and country. A large percentage of Sir Knights enlisted in various defence organisations including the Ulster Defence Regiment.

And, just like their grandfathers who had served in the Home Guard and their Fathers in the B Specials, these men felt duty bound to provide assistance in defeating the ensuing terrorist tyranny which was engulfing Northern Ireland.

Comprising mainly of part time soldiers, they endeavoured to balance home and family life with night patrols all the while knowing that their lives were constantly under threat.

Preceptory business continued throughout what at times were very trying and dark days for Unionism in Northern Ireland. As had been

the case on numerous previous occasions, our people stood strong and steadfast against the men of violence and our Loyal orders thrived with everybody pulling together for a common goal.

In 1986, with a membership of 31 Sir Knights on the books, we purchased our third and current banner at a cost of £660. The date for unfurling it wasset for Friday, August 1, with Ballykilbeg Accordion Band leading the praise, while the platform party included Sovereign Grand

Master, the Most Worshipful Sir Knight Fairburn.

Regrettably, due to inclement weather on the night in question, parading with the new banner proved impossible. At short notice, the venue of the unfurling was changed to Clough Presbyterian Church Hall. All those present were pleased to be out of the adverse weather and a most enjoyable evening was had by all.

On May 22, 1987, a major blow was struck not only to our Preceptory, but the entire community in Clough and further afield when our Worshipful Master Sir Knight Charles Watson was callously murdered by the IRA.

To quote the minutes of the meeting held on June 10. just a few weeks later: “Sir Knight Watson was murdered in his own home by vicious scum in front of his wife and four young children and it is difficult to find words to express our deep sense of loss and the horror which we all feel at this most terrible outrage”.

Charles had been installed as Worshipful Master on May 14 1987, just eight days before he was murdered, with a memorial service held for him in Clough Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 2.

A second blow was dealt to our preceptory on December 16, 1988, when Sir Knight John Moreland was murdered in the most cowardly way by the IRA while delivering coal in Downpatrick. Like Sir Knight Watson, John had been a faithful, long serving and esteemed member of Clough RBP 1044.

Sir Knight Sandy Shilliday received his 40-year service medal in October 1988, while Sir Knights Noel Ritchie, James Maxwell, William Cromie, Hugh Smith, George Blue and Robert Watson received 40-year service medals in February 1989.

Sir Knight Robert Watson travelled home from Scotland every August to parade with the Preceptory and Sir Knight Jack Moreland received his 40-year medal in November 1995.

From 2000 onwards, the Preceptory saw an influx of new blood, including myself. As young men, we came of age and joined the ranks of the Orange Lodge and Black Preceptory in Clough. We respectfully took over positions that had been held in some cases for decades; we saw it not only as our duty, but an honour to take Clough RBP 1044 into the new millennium.

I cannot document this moment in time without mentioning three long serving Sir Knights without whom, I believe, the preservation of our Preceptory might not have been possible — Sir Knights Uel Watson, David and Leslie Maxwell.

Their wisdom and guidance have not only secured the continuation of the Preceptory, but shaped it for the future. Over the past 10 years or so we have had several bands accompanying us to the annual County Black demonstration. These include Clough Flute Band, Ballynahinch’s Blue Star Flute Band and Annalong Single Star.

We have now built up a very strong relationship with the Robert Graham Memorial Flute Band and the passion and loyalty they show to their music and culture, mirrors that of our own towards our Preceptory.

We are immensely proud every August to have them accompany us whilst parading the village of Clough and wherever the Royal Black demonstration is held that particular year.

This year, we had the honour of hosting the Lecale District Black demonstration which is certainly one for the history books as the Royal Black Institution has never previously held a demonstration in the village.

To host the ‘Black’ on home turf in our own Orange field with the Robert Graham Memorial Flute Band in attendance was indeed an honour for our members.The community spirit and support from visiting Preceptories and bands was second to none and the Sir Knights under my leadership have always proved themselves to be both dedicated and loyal.

I’m very proud of all the men in our ranks, irrespective of whether or not they hold office and I consider it a privilege and honour to currently hold the position of Worshipful Master, especially during this special milestone for our Preceptory.

As I read down the roll book from 1920 onwards, I can pick out a few family surnames including Watson, Maxwell, Hill, Frazer, Moreland, McNerlin and Cromie, steadfast families from our area a century ago.

It fills me with great pride that I am a member of a Preceptory which is now 101 years old and stand alongside

the grandsons and great-grandsons of our founding members. Given our past experiences, this fills me with enormous encouragement and enthusiasm for the times we currently find ourselves in. I have every confidence in toasting the next 100 years of Clough RBP 1044.

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