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Warrant No. 608 is another of the warrants that came to Portadown from southern Ireland. On 4 November 1828 it is recorded at Ballymaehigh, Co. Cavan with William Byer as Master. By 1856 it was still in Co. Cavan this time at Ballyjamesduff with Thomas Hawthorn as Master. In 1875 the Master was recorded as Rev. Snegde Taylor and although the warrant, was renewed in November 1897 it was to be cancelled on 17 December 1930.
Portadown Ex-Servicemen's lodge was formed on 14 February, 1946 at a specially convened meeting of Portadown District LOL 1. Initially, the lodge took out warrant No. 413 but this was exchanged for warrant No. 608 in 1955. LOL 608 met for the first time under the new warrant on 8th September, 1955 Since 8th September, 195n each meeting has begun with the Worshipful Master saying the Ex-Servicemen's Salutation followed by one minute's silence.
On 10th February, 1956 a dinner was held to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the formation of the lodge.
In June 1961 the old standard, which featured Battle Honours of World War Two, was handed over to the Counly Grand Deputy Master. Bro. W. Gracey JP. Later that year Sir Norman Stronge was a guest of the lodge when he conducted the election of officers.
On 5th July, 1962 a new standard, featuring the Battle Honours of World War Two was unfurled by the lodge. The chairman at the meeting was the WBM, Bro. R, J. Magowan OBE, JP.
On 11th April 1963 it was agreed by members of the lodge that members and former members of the Territorial Army and the Ulster Special Constabulary be allowed to join the lodge.
Bro. A. Rusk, a well-known personality in the town, joined the lodge in 1964 on transfer from LOL 99. A former sergeant in the Royal Artillery, Bro. Rusk served in France with the British Expeditionary Force where he was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940. Later in the war Bro. Rusk took part in the Normandy landings, seeing service in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.
In 1965 the late Bro. W, Cardwell joined the lodge on transfer from LOL 339. Bro. Cardwell had served with Lord Louis Mounthalten in South East Asia and was a member nf the Burma Star Association of which Lord Mountbatten was President. 'A portrait of Lord Mounlbatten is featured on the current standard of Ihe lodge.'
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Portadown Ex-Servicemen's LOL 608 has the honour of leading all parades, of Portadown District LOL No 1. This tradition began in 1969 when the lodge headed the Boyne Anniversary Church Parade to Drumcree The following year the WDM, Bro. H. Whitten, again asked LOL 608 to lead the District church parade and also to lead the procession on 12th July.
Worshipful Maslers of Portadown Ex-Servicemen's lodge are as follows:
1946-53 J. Walsh MM.JP
1954- Thomas Rea
1955 J. McKenna
1955-56 J. Heatley
1957 J. McKenna
1958-62 Thomas Mathers
1963 J. Allen
1964 T. Mathers
1965 A. Hyde
1971-74 F. Dale
1975-76 D. Goddard MM, BEM
1978 G. Marsdon
1979-80 W. Cardwell
1981-83 A. Rusk
1984-85 W. Moffett
1986 C. Mathers
1987-88 R- Todd
1989-90 W, Totten
1991-92 K. Cleaver
1993 J. Best
1994 Brian Maguiness
LOL 808 has the eminent distinction of having provided no fewer than four mayors and one chairman of the two local government areas of Craigavon and Armagh. The mayors of Portadown who have been members of LOL 608 are Bro. Edward Cassells, Bro. Alfred Martin, Bro. Frank Dale and most recently Bro. Brian Maguiness who served as Mayor of Craigavon for the year 1994-95. In addition,Bro. George McCartney was elected as chairman of Armagh District Council.
LOL 608 sits in Carleton Street Orange Hall.
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