The obverse or homeward facing side of our banner.
Governor Walker and the apprentice boys of Londonderry.
The period from 1688-9 is commonly known as the Siege of Londonderry but to gain a full understanding of this period, the main events have to be examined fully.
On November the 5th 1688 William of Orange landed in England to launch his challenge against King James II for the throne of England. However as William became increasingly successful the Protestant minority in Ireland began to fear for their safety. When the Comber Letter of the 3rd December was discovered, the fears of a repeat of the Protestant massacres of 1641 began to grow across Ireland, but particularly in Londonderry.
On the 7th of December 1688 as the Earl of Antrim approached Ferryquay Gate, with his mainly Catholic Army which had remained loyal to King James, Thirteen young Apprentice Boys closed the Gates on the advancing Jacobite Army. After the Jacobite Army retreated, the Protestants of Londonderry declared their loyalty to King William on the 24th of March 1689, which was a brave decision as King James had landed in Ireland on the 12th March 1689, with his French Army.
On April the 15th Protestant fears in the city increased as King James's Army approached the city which had became a refuge for Protestants from the area surrounding the City. On the 18th of April 1689 King James and his army came towards Bishops Gate and demanded entry to the City. The defenders of the City fired upon the Army of King James which marked the start of the Siege of Derry. The next day Lundy, whose loyalty was in doubt was forced to leave and he was replaced as Governor by Major Baker and Reverend Walker.
During the siege the City was surrounded by the Jacobite Army that was loyal to King James, Most of their men were French, supported by the Catholic Irish. The City was defended by over 7000 men at the start of the Siege.
The City's walls made it difficult for the Jacobite forces to attack the City, which is why King James decided to lay siege to the City hoping that the Protestant defenders of the City would Surrender. The Jacobite Army had set up two attacking positions on the Waterside, using their gun batteries to fire across the River Foyle into the walled City.
French Soldiers were also based in the Creggan area where they would fire across the Bogside area into the City itself. On the 4th of June 1689 the 2nd Battle of the Windmill took place when the Williamite forces recaptured the Windmill on high ground overlooking Bishops Gate, this victory was of great strategic importance.
The City's walls where protected by 20 long range Cannons including the famous 'Roaring Meg'. Two