Category: ABOD

331st Relief of Derry in Wishaw

Unable to travel to Londonderry for the 331st Anniversary of the Relief of Derry on Saturday 8th August, members of the Wishaw Murray Branch Club turned out on Sunday, 9th August 2020 at the Armed Forces Memorial Garden in Belhaven Park, Wishaw, to commemorate locally.

The park was gifted to the people of Wishaw by Lord Belhaven in memory of his son Lieutenant Colonel The Hon Ralph Gerard Alexander Hamilton, Royal Field Artillery, Master of Belhaven who was killed in action during the 1914 – 1918 war. A memorial headstone in the park details an impressive military history; served with the 7th Division in Flanders in 1914.  In August 1915 he took out C Battery 108th Brigade R.F.A. in the 1st 2nd 3rd Battles of Ypres, Loos, the Somme Offensive and Messines. He was killed in action by a shell on Easter Monday, March 31st, 1918 at Castel, near Amiens whilst commanding 106th Brigade R.F.A. defending the ridge where the German advance was finally stayed. Buried in Rouvrel cemetery.

The short service began with a short prayer by acting Chaplain, Bro Murray Douglas Dunbar while President, Alan Love rendered a short history on the siege and the part played by the Ulster Scots followed by a wreath being laid by one of our youngest members Bro Kristofer Weir followed by the closing prayer and the National Anthem.

The President of Wishaw Murray thanked all who had attended and noted that it was particularly pleasing that so many of the younger members had attended this important event and freventlyhoped that next year would be in Londonderry.

The 331st Annual Commemoration of the Relief of Derry

The 331st Annual Commemoration of the Relief of Derry was held on 8 August 2020. Sadly the colour and spectacle of thousands of Apprentice Boys with banners and bands wasn’t to be. A respectful honouring of the traditions of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, within government guidelines of thirty participants, meant a rather different occasion than to what Members of the Apprentice Boys of Derry would be familiar.

Below are a series of videos recording small parts of the 2020 Commemorative events. At the bottom of the page is a link to a Gallery of photographs for the 331st Anniversary of the Relief of Derry.

Walking the Walls, passing Walker’s Plinth:

At the end of Walking the Walls, by First Derry Presbyterian Church:

Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial, The Diamond:

Returning to the Memorial Hall at the end of the morning’s events: 

Click on this link to go to the Gallery for photographs of the 331st Annual Commemoration of the Relief of Derry, 8 August 2020. 

Fountain of Life

William Temple is long time member of the Murray Club in Londonderry. His life is the City, but specifically The Fountain. When in better health he gave guided tours on the history and significant aspects of this small area just outside the historic Walls.

His recently book “Fountain of Life” is a beautiful expression The Fountain, complimenting and explaining the social, economic and political history of the Fountain area during the 20th century, and inspired a series of paintings hanging in The Thiepval Gallery.

The book was due to be launched in March, but then the pandemic! The Newgate Fringe has stood in and launched the book on Tuesday 4th August 2020 as part of its events this week – more on the New Gate Arts Facebook page.

Copies can be bought at the Siege Museum, Society Street. The book can be delivered locally in Londonderry also – contact by phone or text 07858 108 285.  Books to be posted further afield can be ordered through the Bob Harte Memorial Trust via email – bhmt.gs AT gmail.com –  and the books are priced at £10.00 each (plus £3.50 for delivery within the UK).

Good to have, and perfect as a gift.

Helping in difficult times

In online Zoom meetings we have heard many stories of how our Clubs have keep in touch with their members these past few months. Facebook, WhatsApp and technology generally has been an essential part of ensuring contact is maintained and support is made available where required.

A good example of this activity comes from our Greenock Branch Club. Around ninety percent of Members are part of a WhatsApp group, and over recent months the rest were telephoned or visited to keep in touch with everyone.

Greenock Murray also made efforts to ensure that it supported the local community. The Club decided to donate funds to local health centres, particularly those who would normally rely on donations.

The President, Bro. Aitken, and Vice President, Bro. Lamont presented a £200 donation to the Ardgowan Hospice in Greenock. Some members made the presentation of £200 to the Cowal Hospice in Dunoon; one of the members having been a patient there on remission a few years past.

Finally, a £200 donation was presented by to the Sir Gabriel Woods Mariners’ Home in Greenock where the father of one of Greenock Murray’ members has been a resident for 15 years.

Great to see how Murray Clubs have risen to the challenges and made a difference to so many by helping those who might otherwise have been alone or unsupported in these difficult times, to Members and others within the wider community.

Welcome to the Murray Club website 

This has been in the ‘planning‘ phase for too long.

We hope that over time the website provides a valuable service; where our Members will be able to visit and see what is happening across our Murray Clubs, and where those who are not members might learn more about our Club and the historic Association of which we are part.

We have some catching up on news from last year, which gets us started.

We launch at a time of great worry for everyone. Looking forward to many good years ahead, once we are all able to get out and about once again. #StaySafeStayHomeSaveLives for as long as necessary.

Ballywillan celebrates 70 Years

Ballywillan celebrated its 70 Year Anniversary in December 2019, with a special presentation to Bro. Gerold Dorrans, a Founding and still active Member of Ballywillan Murray.

Also presented that evening, a 40 Year Service Jewel to Ballywillan Club Secretary, Marshall Goligher.

Aghadowey recognises Members’ long Service

At its annual Installation of Officers in December 2019, Aghadowey Murray recognised enormous contribution to the life of the Club by three of its long-standing Members. A 50 Year Service Jewel was presented to each of three long-standing Members: Ivor McPherson, James Cunningham, and William Knox.

Ivor McPherson
James Cunningham
William Knox

Apprentice Boys down under.

Australia has its first ever Apprentice Boys Branch Club. The Murray Club has installed a new Charter and opened a new Branch Club on 15th June in Australia, installed new officers and enrolled new members.

The Murray Club, one of the eight Parent Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, has opened a new Branch Club in Australia. The new Australia Murray Club will draw members from across the Continent. The first meeting was held in Burwood, Sydney, attended by members from South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland; Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

First ever meeting of Apprentice Boys in Australia, with the installation of a new Charter for the Murray Club, Australia Branch Club which took place in Burwood, Sydney on 15th June 2019. The new Officer team for the Australia Murray Club was installed, and new members to the Club were enrolled on the day.

President of the Murray Club, Gordon McMorris commented:

“The Murray Club has historically broken new ground, being to the forefront of first Clubs in Scotland, England and Canada. The new Australia Club is an exciting development, built on an excellent foundation that will see the Branch develop further over time.”

Graeme Stenhouse, Governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, says:

“Together with David Hoey, Secretary of the Murray Parent Club, it was a great honour and privilege to travel further than any Governor has ever travelled before to install a new Club Charter. The Association greatly appreciates the huge amount of preparation and planning, over many years, to have been able to achieve this landmark for the Association; the opening of the new Australia Murray Club.  We are proud that the story of the Brave 13 Apprentice Boys and the Siege of Londonderry now has a place in the Southern Hemisphere. As Governor of the Apprentice Boys’ Association I would like to extend heartiest congratulations to all involved, and in the years ahead I look forward to welcoming new Australian members to the Maiden City.”

Pictured left to right at the opening of the new Australia Murray Branch Club: Graeme Stenhouse, Governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry; David McMichael, newly installed President of the Australia Murray Club; Herbie Mailey, newly installed Secretary of the Australia Murray Club; and David Hoey, Secretary of the Murray Parent Club, Londonderry.

Herbie Mailey, Secretary of the new Australia Murray Club, who has been the main organiser in Australia in setting up the new Club, states:

“There has been a real interest in Australia about building a connection to the historic City of Londonderry, and the important dates commemorated in August and December.  The cause of Civil & Religious Liberty is universal, wherever we are in the world. We remember the debt we owe to all those who have suffered and sacrificed for the Freedoms we too often take for granted today.”