CITY GRAND LODGE - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Grand Master, Teacher and Lagganer: an Appreciation

In the eastern part of Co. Donegal many of its inhabitants like to be referred to as Lagganers, in recognition of their Ulster Scots identity and in memory of the successful role in 17th century Irish history played by an army of their ancestors that proudly carried the name. The current inheritors of the title remain a resilient and dignified people and it is with the greatest of regrets that it must be noted that one of its finest exponents of such Lagganer qualities, William Gerald Wallace of Manorcunningham, has recently passed away. A native Lagganer, Gerry Wallace spent most of his long and distinguished life in the very heartland of the area between the Swilly and the Foyle and his devotion to his native soil and its people was always evident. A family man, scholar, teacher, Presbyterian of the traditional order, talented chorister, unapologetic Loyalist, orator and efficient organiser. Gerry was above all else a modest Donegalman of a special breed that has almost disappeared and I can now only speculate that he might be a trifle surprised by this eulogy. Gerry and his twin brother, Ernest, were born during the harsh years between the 2 Great Wars and at a time when his kith and kin were still endeavouring to cope with the political change in his native country. It is an abiding tribute to Gerry that borders of any nature did not deter him from his missions in life. The Wallace boys were educated at Foyle College and, after matriculating as freshmen at Magee University, they read History and Geography at Trinity College, Dublin. After graduation they both embarked on teaching careers in the North West that lasted for practically all of the second half of the last century. Gerry commenced teaching in the newly established Clondermott Secondary in the Waterside, and then moved nearer home when Templemore Secondary School was established near to the Donegal border and which originally catered for many pupils from his home territory. His long service at Templemore, where he commanded the post of Vice Principal for over 3 decades, witnessed the almost complete demographic change in the city. He readily accommodated this change despite the repeated intrusion of civil unrest into his domain at Northland Road. He, was, however, frequently outraged by the sectarian murder of many of his former pupils and members of their families and he provided much needed counsel and sympathy during those dark days. He remained a highly respected teacher in Londonderry until his retirement in the mid 1990's. His unique ability to communicate effectively with all of his pupils and colleagues - regardless of their political and religious inclinations - was acknowledged then and by the many former pupils and teachers who attended his funeral on the Wednesday before Easter. Gerry was a lifelong member of the Royal Black Institution, commanding for some years the highest office as County Londonderry Grand Master. He served for over half a century in the office of secretary of both Manorcunningham Murray Club of the Apprentice Boys of Derry and with his own private lodge-Manorcunningham Temperance LOL1117. His exceptional Loyalism is virtually without parallel and the current strength of all the loyal orders in East Donegal and Londonderry owe much to him.