The first Apprentice Boys Clubs was formed on the 1st of August 1714 ( the date of the annual commemoration that year ) by Colonel John Mitchelburne who had been governor of the city towards the end of the siege.
Although this club ceased to exist after his death, the memory of the siege was always celebrated each year in some form right through the 18th Century.

The Apprenice Boys of Derry Club was formed in 1814 by Benjamin J Darcus. Over the next 40 years or so other Clubs were founded to commemorate the siege heroes. The Walker, Mitcheburne, Baker, Murray and Williamite Clubs all confined to Londonderry. These six clubs came together in 1859 with John Guy Ferguson as Chairman, who became Governor when a General Committee was formed in 1862.