Richard Toomath – “Father” of Toronto Orangemen
Worshipful Brother Richard Toomath, a member of Toronto’s John Knox L.O.L.2996 had two claims to fame, one of which certainly earned him the nickname “father” of Toronto Orangemen.
Born near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh he was a descendant of a Dutch soldier who accompanied William on his many expeditions including… Read More
Clarke Wallace Floody, O.B.E. and “The Great Escape”
Clarke Wallace Floody was born on April, 28th, 1918 in Chatham, Ontario. The Floody family had been members of the Orange Association in Ontario since the 1830’s so it came as no surprise that the family choose to christen their son on July 12. Not only did they… Read More
ALVIN HAGAR
1913 - 2009
Native Canadian, War Vet, 73 Years a Member of the L.O.L.
Alvin Hagar was born on the Alderville Reserve just north of Cobourg, Ontario on July the 4th, 1913. His father, William (also an Orangeman), had been killed in action on May the 8th, 1918 while serving… Read More
Francis Henry Medcalf
Toronto Mayor and First County Master
Francis Henry Medcalf was born to William and Martha at Delgany, County Wicklow, Ireland on May, 10th/1803. The parents along with their eight children arrived in Upper Canada in 1819. In 1823 Medcalf left for the United States and stayed there until 1839, working as… Read More
William H. Harper
Marshaled 43 Toronto Orange Parades
William Harper was born in Toronto and joined Magherafelt Purple Star L.O.L.864 as a young man. Harper served as the Master of that lodge in 1906 and later as District Master of the Toronto Western District Lodge. “King Billy” as he was known to Toronto Orangemen led… Read More
James Beaty, 1798 – 1892
Carried “Orange Flag” in Toronto’s First Parade
As the County Orange Lodge of Toronto celebrates its 150th Anniversary and we approach the 190th Annual Orange Parade in Toronto, we look back at a participant in Toronto’s first parade so many years ago.
James Beaty… Read More
Reverend Sidney E. Lambert, O.B.E.
First President – War Amps of Canada
Sidney Lambert was born in Devonshire England on September the 18th, 1887. He studied theology in Calgary and was a Methodist Church minister at the outbreak of World War I. He enlisted in the 50th Battalion C.E.F. on June 19th,… Read More
James Percival
Toronto Orangeman was Afghan and Indian Veteran
With Afghanistan having been prominent in the news for several years now (and with some of our current members having served in that theatre) a look is taken at a Toronto Orangeman who served there some hundred and thirty years ago.
James Percival was… Read More
Gord Smith 1935 - 2010
Drum Major Extraordinaire
A personal friend and friend of the writer’s family, Gord Smith passed away recently.
Gordie was born at Prince Albert, Ontario (near Port Perry) on August the 7th, 1935, and moved at a very young age to Toronto.
In his youth Gord was a member… Read More
David Spence (1867 – 1940)
Noted Conservative M.P., Alderman
Helped form the Irish Regiment of Canada
David Spence was born on June 25th, 1867 in Markethill, County Armagh, Ireland to Lewis and Ella Jane Spence. He was educated there at the National School. He came to North America in 1886, first… Read More
William Bell
Helped Form Western District, Founder of L.O.L.479
William Bell was born in Woolwich, England in 1836 and came with his family at a young age to Canada, first to Montreal and then onto Toronto in 1857.
At a meeting of the County Lodge of Toronto on Dec 18th, 1875 he proposed… Read More
Harry Lovelock
Past County Master, Past Provincial Grand Master, Authored Early History of Toronto Lodges
Born in England in 1851, Harry Lovelock, at the age of thirteen arrived with his parents in Toronto. He joined the Orange Association in 1871, first with Duke of York L.O.L. No.396, later transferring… Read More
FROM THE COUNTY ORANGE LODGE
A Salute to Brother Bill Medland
Today the County Orange Lodge of Toronto is pleased to pay tribute to Bill Medland. Bill was born in Toronto’s east-end in 1931 and marched in his very first Twelfth Parade in 1935. “My father, Syd, played snare-drum… Read More
Jim Pritchard
Passed Away April 11th/2011
Was Past County Master
The members of the Orange family in the Toronto area were saddened by the passing of Worshipful Brother James Pritchard on April 11th of this year.
Jim was born in England in 1921 and came as a youth with his family… Read More
W. W. MacPhee
Past County Master, Was Founder of L.O.L.2996
William Wallace MacPhee was born in Prince Edward Island in 1888 and came to Toronto in 1918. MacPhee gained employ as a reported with the “Sentinel” and became one of the most widely known members in Toronto’s Orange circles. After several… Read More
Frederick G. Gardiner
First Chairman of Metro Toronto, Held Membership in Two Toronto Lodges
Frederick Goldwin Gardiner was born in Toronto on January 21st, 1895. Fred Gardiner was the son of David Gardiner, who arrived in Toronto in 1874 and was born in County Monaghan, Ireland in 1854 and Victoria Robertson of Port Hope,… Read More
