In 1914 with the outbreak of war 37 Volunteers from the Lodge enlisted in the Armed Forces to help preserve our freedoms. Sadly, 8 of the Brethren would not return from the war. Those that did return were hosted by the Lodge and friends to a soiree and presented with a sum of money which was thought to be a practical gift upon their demobilisation from the forces.

In 1926 Sir William V McCleery transferred into the Lodge, Sir William would later become MP for North Antrim, holding the position of Minister for Labour and National Insurance at Stormont. He was elected Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland in 1955 and Imperial Grand Master of the World in 1956, he held both these posts until his death in 1957. His portrait hangs in Ballymoney Town Hall along with other famous locals.

Over the years the Lodge has utilised various forms of transport to demonstrations - foot, horse drawn coaches, private cars and taxis, trains from the now abandoned Station at Macfin (half a mile from the Hall), tram from Drumaheagles Halt when going to Bushmills or Portrush, until more recently coaches and buses.

In 1921 Daughters of Ulster, WLOL No 68 was formed at Drumaheagles with the first Worshipful Mistress being Mrs Dickie (Grandmother of one of our present members) she was succeeded by Mrs McCleery, wife of Sir William V McCleery after Sister Dickie moved with her husband to England in 1922. The Ladies Lodge folded in the Sixties, the warrant was given by Wor. Bro. John Dunlop, WM in 1971 to form a new Ladies Lodge in Ballymoney Orange Hall.

The first flute band in connection with the Lodge was formed in 1920 called initially Drumaheagles Flute Band, it opted in later years for the title of Drumaheagles Protestant Flute Band and was generally recognised as the best example of a part music flute band in the area. As well as leading LOL 1099 and WLOL 68 the band led Ballymoney Chosen Few RBP 309 and Ballymoney Branch of the Mitchelburne Apprentice Boys Club until the Band was wound up in 1958 in favour of a Pipe Band.

Drumaheagles Pipe Band was formed in 1958 and led the Lodge until it folded in 1974. The Lodge was led by two pipers until 1977 when a new flute Band was formed.

Drumaheagles Young Defenders Flute Band was formed in 1977, the first Band Master being Bro. Robert Parkhill. The band was a Blood and Thunder band or as was known in the Seventies as a Kick the Pope Band with noise being the order of the day and girls waving flags at the front of the band. Over the years the playing ability of the band has improved greatly and is now recognised as one of the best bands in the area travelling to parades all over Northern Ireland. As well as leading LOL 1099 the band leads Ballymoney Mitchelburne Apprentice Boys Club and Whifflet's Chosen Few LOL No. 306 in Coatbridge, Scotland.

The Lodge unfurled their first banner in 1919, replacing the Lodge Flag, which depicted King William III crossing the Boyne on one side and the Bible, Crown and Sceptre and the Bill of Rights on the other. The Lodges second banner was unfurled by Mrs McCleery WM of WLOL 68 in 1938 again King William III on one side and The Secret of England's Greatness on the reverse this time. The Third Banner was unfurled in 1959 by Mrs O'Neill, wife of the area MP, again with William III and this time a Memorial to those who had Fallen in the World Wars on the reverse. Our current banner was unfurled in 1981 with William 111 astride his white charger on one side and The Holy Bible, Crown and Sceptre and the Bill of Rights on the reverse.

The Lodge has always been viewed by the villages of Balnamore and Macfin as their Lodge and is demonstrated by the majority of members either living in the two villages or having a family connection with the area. The Orange Hall has therefore always been regarded as a focal point of the local community for over a hundred years. The Hall has played host to dances and various dancing classes, at one time a boxing club and gym was run by the members of the Lodge, as well as being the venue for several missions, bible classes and a Sunday School. The most recent addition to entertainment at the Hall is our pool table which is proving very popular feature and ensures that the hall is used on a daily basis.

In 1997, after a seminar hosted by the County Antrim Grand Orange Lodge Cultural Committee in Carnlea Orange Hall. The Lodge and it's supporters decided to form a Credit Union for the benefit not just our own members and their families but for the whole Protestant community . In 1999 Bannview Community Credit Union Limited was approved by the Government Registrar for incorporation and is now able to give low interest loans to regular savers. At present the Credit Union is open every Tuesday from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. for savings and loans, and looks forward to extending the opening nights and the possibility of a sub-office in the future.

In June 1999 another string was added to our bow when Drumaheagles Junior LOL No. 99 had it's first meeting in Drumaheagles Orange Hall. 13 boys were initiated into Antrim Junior District and were then installed with warrant number 99, a number of special significance in the words of one of the Junior Brethren when 15 members paraded with the senior Lodge, "Our Lodge Number is 99, we were formed in '99 and next year we'll have 99 walking."

Things bode well for the future of our Lodge, we have come though some lean times - 6 years ago we had 18 members in the Lodge we now have 45 senior brethren and the possibility of more in the pipeline. Finally the work to rebuild and renovate our Orange Hall is nearing an end and we look forward to Most Wor. Bro. Robert Saulters, Grand Master of Ireland, officially re-opening our Hall on Saturday 17th June 2000 - see you all there!

Malcolm Steele