Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles

Village of Brandywine Chapter


Meeting- usually 3rd Friday @ CH

About the Turtles:

The Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles ("International Association of Turtles", "Turtle Club", or similar title) started as an informal "drinking club" between American World War II pilots, self-described as "an honorable drinking fraternity composed of ladies and gentlemen of the highest morals and good character, who are never vulgar."

According to Denis P. McGowan of the "Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles", his father, the late Captain Hugh P. McGowan, U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force Reserve (Ret.) and several pilots of the U.S. Army Air Corps 8th Air Force founded the Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles in an officers' club while stationed in England during the Second World War: "We were flying daytime bombing missions over Hitler's Third Reich. We just wanted a little fun. We had seen a sign showing that the 'Ancient Order of Foresters' and the 'Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes' would meet in the local pub, so I devised the name 'Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles' for the fun of it. It was not meant to be serious, it had no constitution or by-laws, and was a relief from the horrors and dangers we saw every day on our missions. It spread after the War through the VFW and American Legion posts, and eventually, to Masonic groups, colleges and even to the high schools of the U.S.A.

VILLAGE OF BRANDYWINE TURTLE CLUB


HISTORY - The Village of Brandywine Turtle Club was officially founded n November 11, 2018. It is a chapter club of The International Association of he Ancient and Honorable Order of Turtles.

The VOB Turtle gatherings started in Bill Frank’s garage, which was called VoB Turtle Headquarters at the time. The initial VoB Turtles had actually been Turtles for many years prior to there even being a VOB! (Bill F, Bill Bradley, Peter M and Skip M) Believe it or not, they still remembered the “password”.

Our membership is comprised of community residents, their family and friends who are in good standing, pass the initiation ritual and remember the “password”. There are no term limits, no dues and membership is lifetime!

Our members live by the TURTLE CREED -

"Turtles are bright eyed, bushy tailed fearless and unafraid folks with a fighter pilot attitude. They think clean, have FUN a lot and recognize that you never get any place worthwhile in life unless you stick your neck out. "

GATHERINGS - VOB Club gatherings are normally on the third Friday on the

month -- notices of date, time, place and agenda are posted well in advance. Bookmark this website -- important Pond messages will appear here.