K Company (Annaghmore) Ulster Volunteer Force

A short history of the formation of ‘K’ Company U.V.F. In the year 1912, Ulster was, as today, under threat.  A weak minded British government was preparing to abandon Ulster to the Home Rulers.  A strong leader fortunately stepped out of the shadows, Sir Edward Carson.  This man immediately started to organise Ulster’s resistance and the Ulster Volunteer Force was born.

In Armagh, the Orchard County, the people’s army started to grow.  Men in the Loughgall district area started to mobilize and train.  Our local area was the recruiting area for 2 orange lodges – Annaghmore and Derrycorry.  These two lodges then came together to form ‘K’ Company of the Ulster Volunteer Force.  ‘K’ Company was based at Ardress House, which is now a National Trust Property.  Captain Charles Ensor, of Ardress House,  was O.C. of the company and latterly James A. Gilpin, Worshipful Master of Derrycorry Lodge, also held the position of O.C. and made Derrycorry Orange hall available for training and drill every Thursday night. 

The threat of real resistance came on the 24 April 1912 as arms and ammunition flooded the Annaghmore area from the gunrunners who landed huge shipments of arms in Larne and Donaghadee. The arms were hidden in several areas in the locality, one being the moss area between Annaghmore and Derrycorry Orange halls, and some others close to the Argory Estate.

Ulster’s resistance was now in place and it was willing to fight against Britain’s oldest enemy – Rome, or Britain itself, to maintain their Protestant way of life.  As history records – ‘K’ company of the 1^st Battalion County Armagh Ulster Volunteer Force became part of the 9^th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and sealed our union with Britain in blood on the 1^st July 1916 at the Battle of the Somme.

Today, Britain still wants to give away Loyal Ulster and weak minded Unionism is as big a threat as Republicanism.  But all is not lost, as County Armagh has always proved to be a stumbling block to plots and plans to destroy our way of life and heritage.  County Armagh is Ulster’s heartbeat and it still beats strong.

Below is part of a speech by Sir Edward Carson and his words are as relevant today as they were then.

“When we talk of force, we will use it, and if we are driven to use it to beat back those who would barter away those elementary rights of citizenship which we have inherited and which is our duty and trust to hand unimpaired to our children.”

K Company U.V.F.

(Courtesy of LOL 52)