April 1922

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

APRIL, 1922.

Special Services.

Special Lent Service—Wednesday, April 5th, at 8 p.m.

Preacher—Rev. W. R. S. Clarendon, M.A., Curate Assistant

of Maralin.

Holy Week—Special Services will be held during Holy

Week on each evening (except Saturday), at 8.

Monday, April 10th —Rev. George Bloomer. Subject—"The

Barren Fig Tree.”

Tuesday, April 11th-—Rev. George Bloomer. Subject—

"The Garden of Gethsemane."

Wednesday, 12th—Rev. George Bloomer. Subject -

“Judas."

Thursday, 13^th – Subject – “The Last Supper."

GOOD FRIDAY.

11.30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Litany and Sermon. Subject —

“The Crucifixion."

8 p.m.—Evensong and Sermon. Subject—"The Message

of the Cross."

The offerings on Good Friday will be in aid of the

Jews Society.

EASTER DAY.

8 a.m.—Holy Communion.

11.30 a.m.—Morning Prayer, Sermon, and Holy Communion.

7 p.m.—Evensong and Sermon.

The offerings at all Services on Easter Day will be on

behalf of the Parochial Sunday Schools.

Gifts of flowers for the decoration of the Church may

be sent to the Church on Saturday morning (Easter Eve)

at 10.30.

The Mothers' Union.

On Tuesday afternoon, April 4th, a meeting will be held

in Edenderry Parochial Hall at 4 o'clock for the purpose

of starting a branch of the Mother's Union in Seagoe

Parish. This is a most useful organisation, and has

branches in many Parishes in Ireland and throughout

the Empire. All the mothers in the Parish are cordially

invited to attend. Don't wait to be asked. You will be

heartily welcome.

Miss Hartford, the head of the Women's Settlement

in Belfast, has kindly consented to come and speak to

the Mothers. Members will be enrolled at the close of

the meeting.

The Portadown Bridge.

This famous Bridge over the Bann has been doubled

in width. The process of widening by the addition of

steel girders has been proceeding for the past 12 months.

The old stone arches on the Northern side remain as they

have been since the Bridge was built. The extension has

been made on the Southern side. The widened Bridge

presents a magnificent roadway for the constantly

increasing traffic. The new part of the Bridge was opened

for foot passengers on Monday, February 20th, and the full

width of the Bridge was opened for traffic on Thursday,

March 23^rd. The extension works cost £15,000. We might

have expected that the Town Council would have arranged

for a formal opening ceremony. Perhaps it is not too late.

Such an important event in the history of Portadown should

be marked by some public ceremony.

The Old Church Pillars and Gates.

The square Pillars and iron Gates which did duty at the

entrance to Seagoe Church from 1816 to 1921 have been

re-erected at Drumcree Churchyard extension. It seems

strange to see them in a different Parish and Diocese,

but we are glad they have not been put to any secular

use. They were bought from Seagoe Vestry by Mr.

John George Gracey, of Balteagh, and sold by him to

Drumcree Select Vestry. Drumcree Churchyard extension

is very finely situated, and the old Seagoe Gates form

an imposing entrance to it. The Churchyard was

consecrated by the Lord Primate on Sunday, March

5th, at 3.30.

Our Sunday Schools.

Edenderry held its Prize Distribution on Thursday,

March 23rd. The Hall was crowded with an eager

gathering of the children. After tea a programme of music

and Recitations was gone through, and was much

enjoyed by all present. It had been arranged by the Misses

Hawthorne and reflected great credit on them and the

children who performed. At the close of the programme

the Rector asked the Rev. A. O. Draper to distribute

the Prizes to the successful pupils. A very large number

received books and Church Services of Prayer Book and

Hymn Book combined seemed the favourite prize. Miss

Atkinson, Mr. Rennix, Superintendent of the Afternoon

Sunday School; Mr. James Ford, Assistant Superintendent,

and Mr. M'Clements, Superintendent of the Morning

Sunday School, were among those present. A feature

of the musical programme was a violin solo by Mr. Robert

M'Clements, of Edenderry. A very happy evening concluded

with a vote of thanks to all who had helped to make the

evening so successful.

Seagoe Girl Guides.

The Girl Guides have had several very interesting competitions

recently. At an inter-squad Drill Competition held last month

valuable Prizes, most kindly presented by Mr. James Shepherd,

were handed by the Rector to the successful competitors. The

troop is busy preparing for a forthcoming County Inspection.

A competition for Assistant Patrol Leaders was held last

Saturday.

The Easter Vestry.

The Annual Meeting of the Registered General Vestrymen

and Vestrywomen of the Parish will be held (D.V.)

in Seagoe School on Thursday, April 20th, at 8 p.m.

New Churchwardens and a new Select Vestry will then

be elected by the votes of the General Vestry. A punctual

attendance of the members of the General Vestry is

requested.

The Weekly Envelopes.

The Envelopes are doing well, and Mr. James Twinem

is greatly pleased at the success of the system. He has

a good band of Collectors working with him, and the

Parishioners are rallying to the support of the old Church

as we felt they would do when its needs were put before

them. Save the kind Collector the trouble of calling at

your house by bringing the Envelope to Church yourself

each Sunday. A good way to bring your Envelope to

Church is to put it between the leaves of your Bible or

Prayer Book and Hymn Book.

Bible Class Social.

The Bible Classes had a very enjoyable evening in

Seagoe School on Shrove Tuesday, March 1 ^st. There was

a large gathering. The Rector spoke on the advantages

of membership in a Bible Class, and the Rev. H. O.

Draper also spoke and invited those present to recruit

new members for the classes. Particulars as to the places

and hours of the Classes will be found on the Cover of

the Magazine. "Genesis" is the book now under study

by the classes.

Parish Register for March.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church

on the 4th March, 1922: —

Simpson—Joseph Russell, son of William and Deborah

Maria Simpson, of Kilvergan.

Sponsors—Evelyn Russell, Deborah Maria Simpson.

Sharpe—Anne Beatrice, daughter of John and Margaret

Sharpe, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Ellen Margaret Campbell, Margaret Sharpe.

M'Murray—Cassie, daughter of Thomas and Sarah

M'Murray, of Drumgor.

Sponsors—Margaret, Anne Woods, Sarah M'Murray.

Johnston—March 29th, 1922, David, son of David and

Anne Johnston, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—David Johnston. Anne Johnston.

Burials.

Glassey—March 5th, George Charles Glassey, of Edenderry,

aged 1 ½ years.

Armstrong—March 8th, Margaret Armstrong, of Balteagh,

aged 76 years.

Cassidy—March 9^th, Rebecca Cassidy, of Lurgan, aged

71 years.

Matthews—March 10th, Anne Matthews, of Edenderry,

aged 73 years. Interred at Drumcree.

Coulter—March 11^th, Mary Anne Coulter, of Edenderry,

aged 53 years.

Webb—March 13th, Mary Jane Webb, of Edenderry,

aged 76 years.

Geddes—March 19th, Sarah Anne Geddes, of Breagh,

aged 76 years.

Obituary.

Death has been very busy in our midst last month, as

our long list of Burials proves. We offer our deep sympathy

to the bereaved. Though suffering and separation

be our lot here below yet the darkness is brightened by

the sure and certain hope of a Resurrection to Eternal

Life. Jesus said: "I am the Resurrection and the Life."

In Edenderry Mrs. Anne Matthews, Mary Anne Coulter,

and Mrs. Mary Jane Webb were all well known, and

will be sadly missed.

Mrs. Armstrong, of Balteagh, had recently come from

Glasgow and passed away quite suddenly. Mrs. Geddes,

of Breagh, had been failing in health for some time.

Scout Display.

The Edenderry Troop of Scouts had a very successful

"Display" in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Thursday,

March 16th. The feature of the evening was a fine

series of exercises on the Parallel Bars, in which Herbert

Lavery won the Medal after a close competition. Mr.

M'Crum, the Co. Armagh Scout Commissioner, said it

was the best display he had ever seen. It reflects great

credit on Mr. David Guy, the instructor. Mr. Howard

Stevenson deserves to be congratulated on the success of

the evening, towards which he worked strenuously.

ITEMS.

Influenza has been very prevalent in the Parish. Whole

families have been laid up with it, but fortunately fatal

cases have been very few

All the town schools were closed, but Seagoe School

remained open, and there was no diminution in the daily

attendance during the epidemic. This is a testimony to

the healthiness of the School, where the children are

educated in ideal surroundings.

Crows gained entrance to Seagoe Church Tower and

were about to build when the Select Vestry intervened

and these intrusive birds have had to seek shelter elsewhere.

The Swallow, the Cuckoo and the Corncrake are due

in April. Who in the Parish will be the first to note their

arrival? Keep your eyes and ears open.

Read our Advertisements. It will be to your advantage.

Good quality at a fair price is the secret of success in

business, and satisfies both seller and buyer.

We are glad to see that it is proposed to erect a Memorial

to the Fallen in Portadown.

At least two of our Seagoe men have recently been

kidnapped and detained in Southern Ireland without any

cause of arrest being assigned. They can claim compensation

through the British Law Courts, and we hope they

will.

A pleasant incident last month was the entertainment

of the Choir on St. Patrick's evening in Seagoe School

by some of the Parishioners. The evening was much

enjoyed.

Old Seagoe Notes.

Census of Edenderry. 1841—81. —The Townland of

Edenderry for the Census Enumerations for 1841, 1851,

1861, 1871, and 1881 was divided into two parts, Edenderry

(a) being outside Portadown and) Edenderry (b) inside

Portadown. The figures for the latter are of great interest.

The Population was as follows: —1841, 183 persons;

1851, 333; 1861, 995; 1871, 1241; 1881, 1478.

Number of Houses—1841, 30; 1851, 68; 1861, 206; 1871,

275; 1881, 313. Apparently, Edenderry grew with great

rapidity between 1851 and 1861. It trebled in size and

population during that period.

THE “NINTH" IN FRANCE.

By Lieut.-Co1. S, W. BLACKER, D.S.O.

[Colonel Blacker's Letters published this issue are

of special interest as they cover the critical period of

Easter, 1916, when the Rebellion broke out in Ireland.

We also get a glimpse of that Easter at the front, the last

for many of our lads, and the faithful work of the Padre,

who held seven Services for the men. The good work

done by Major Atkinson ("At.") and Lieut. Montgomery

is also referred to in this section.]

(Continued from. March Magazine.)

Easter Sunday, April 23rd—Am getting out the cows

to graze today, 2 at a time, and tethered as there is

quite a lot of grass. We had 1 man, Bryans, from Armagh,

wounded last night, carrying rations; bad I fear— M. G.

bullet in back, and still here. Internal haemorrhage.

Aeroplanes active to-day again, on both sides,

first time for some days owing to weather. A fine drying

wind. I hope will dry things up a bit. Bryans was in

the last draft. Attwell, John, wounded slightly 21st,

The Russkys seem to be pushing well. They are wonderful

soldiers. When one considers the heavy knocks

they've had, their recuperative powers are great. Poor

young Bruce Armstrong, in Boyle's R.E. Coy., was killed

yesterday by a Trench mortar, I hear. Instantaneous.

Result of raids-—13 prisoners, our casualties 5 wounded,

Hun casualties I haven't heard. Easter Monday, April

24th—Had quite an active day, and it was a lovely sunny

spring day. Went over to see Ricardo in p.m.—he is on

our left. He had 2 killed and 16 wounded, including 3

Officers, the night before, and was rather sad about it.

The Padre held 7 Services and walked miles. I visited

the cookers with Berry in the morning, and various

working parties. It was a pleasure to be out. Trenches

drying up well under a drying breeze. I'm glad we are

this side of the river. The other side did not, strike me

as being a pleasant spot at all. Am waiting in for Brig.

and have Coy, Commanders Conference at 2 p.m., and

to go too far end of line with R.E. at 3 p.m.

A Patrol, Under Montgomery,

met a Bosche patrol last night and outed one man. We

had no casualties. Aerial activity on both sides this

a.m., otherwise quiet and a quiet night, except for Hun

M.G. fire on our Ration road. Certainly, when fine,

this part of the line is pleasant, and except for the crowd

in the cellar I prefer it to M—. A good deal more interesting.

Pratt full of zeal for sniper posts, etc., and observation

of the Bosches' doings through telescope. Elephant not

ready yet, so still in old cellar. Trenches dried up grand

and were delightful to-day. Had a long afternoon

inspecting various places for projected work. We had

a patrol under Montgomery, to the mill last night.

Found nothing! Returned all right, Andrews, a new

Officer, went sick to-day with Hun spots. Div. sports

at H— today. We won wrestling on horseback and some

flat race. Padre went to see Bryars in Hospital; he is

going on well. Tuesday. April 25th —A cloudless,

windless day, and poozily warm. Bosche 'planes

trying to get over. At 2 a.m. 'At.' came and reported

while digging a new sap he'd come across a shaft shored

with wood with a wire in it, and suspected mining shaft.

I went out myself and made a close examination,

and am convinced it's an old French shaft from our

lines to a listening post, which has fallen in at entrance,

which is a relief. While we were here a strange dog

came nosing around, and in a few minutes we saw a small

German patrol go back over a German parapet. Patrols

evidently go out with a dog. It was a lovely dawn with

a mist along the river, which should mean fine weather.

Another Officer been posted, and on his way from the

Base. Don't give us any information about him. We

had our first case of accidental wound this morning. A

man in 'C' Coy. shot himself in the foot. They put a

lot of Trench mortars into Battalion on our right, about

midnight. A certain amount of M.G. fire, otherwise a

quiet night. There is an almost total absence of sniping,

and the Bosche lot opposite are a peaceful lot just at

present. We are grazing the cows daily now. One

broke away on being first let out, broke rope, and

careered up the hill. However, she was pursued and

recaptured. Wednesday. April 26th —Another lovely day

and warm. Too many people moving about the village

yesterday! Result—it was searched with Whizz-bangs

from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. A Whizz bang got a poor fellow

called Hutchinson, from Richhill, and killed him. He

was buried last night. He also was in the last draft,

which have been singularly unlucky.

Tin Hats were Too Hot to Touch

after an hour in the sun yesterday. They are, though,

of course, much uglier than the French, more serviceable

in every way, and give more protection. Blackwood

goes for old 'A. ,' and very rightly. We shall never do

anything while he's there, I'm sure. I must say I've

enjoyed this tour in the Trenches, the weather since

Sunday has been so glorious. Heaps of aeroplanes up

and being fired at from both sides. They put 3 Trench

mortars (large) into the village yesterday p.m., but luckily

did no damage. Am just going to sally forth on the

morning rounds. The fine weather has made everyone

very chirpy. The men who were not with us Xmas 1914

should not get the P.M. boxes. Thursday, April 27th—

Relief went off all right, but I didn't get in till nearly

midnight. There was a good deal of firing of all sorts

going on up to 11 p.m. Another lovely day, but getting

very hot. This place is crammed with people, and a great

dearth of water. Much less comfortable than when we were

here before. Guns everywhere. We had a capital show

yesterday p.m. Huns were very busy on railway about

150 yards from us. We got How. Major to come down

and he got his Hows. on and gave them 14 H.E. 's, 2 of

which were most effective, and one saw baulks of timber

flying in the air. Spoilt his little game for a bit and

made him stuffy, and he just bursts off Trench mortars

and Whizz Bangs into Battalion on our right during the

evening. The How. Major, one Scott, was Geoffrey

White's Capt. in Riding Troop. Very nice fellow; he is

_____Major, and has a very nice lot. Am going to visit

his O. P. this p.m. While we were at lunch an H.E.

Shell landed about 50 Yards Off,

Near a working party of R.E., and killed a Sergeant.

Another lot of men go on leave May 3, and the last lot

of Officers May 8th. Then we begin again on 13th.

Wonder what the Govt. will do with Sian Feiners, and

Casement. Hope they'll shoot the latter. There must be

great excitement in the North over the capture of

Dublin. Very hot. About 11 a.m. the Bosches began to

put Whizz-Bangs all over our sector with a good many

4.2 Hows. into some new works. Lasted till about 1.15.

No casualties. Movement about the area was difficult.

No paper so we don't know how Dublin is faring. Spent

a most instructive 3 hours in R.A. Observation Post near

here, and had a thorough examination of Bosche lines.

Their line is marvellously strong The Med. Officer of

12th was wounded in both hands today, in the line.

Hope you're having this grand weather? Had tea with

Scott and How. Bde. Schweder is one of his Subs.

Notwithstanding water difficulties we bathed 150 men

this p.m. I hope to do 200 tomorrow. Very warm evening

again. Am trying to get 8 days relief instead of 6, now

the weather is good. One is just getting settled down to

the work when one has to go out, and then the nightmare

of relief. Monkhouse is Brigr. R.A. 29th Div. near here,

I believe. Friday, April 28th —Another lovely day

with a nice gentle breeze. Instead of resting the men

while out of the line, we have to find large working

parties every night, and the heavy work and the sudden

increase of temperature is causing a certain amount of

high temperatures. I have told the Bder plainly that

unless the men get some rest there will be a breakdown.

I did the idiot boy over a working party of 100 ordered

for last night, and didn't send it, thereby causing excitement,

and reasons in writing. However, we saved the men and

they got 1 night's rest anyway. To-night we find 80 men.

Oh! These Working Parties.

such an amount of needless fatigue for the men. No

letters again today, due to this Dublin business, I suppose.

We've only got Wed's papers which gives no more

news than Tuesday. I visited another Battery near here,

Com. by a Capt. who came out as a Sub. in B By. Seemed

a very capable fellow. He was full of praises of the

gunners. We have a working party lengthening a sap

and wiring it in the front line to-night. 30 men and 2

Officers from Pioneers rolled up this p.m. to assist in work

generally. Saturday, April 29th —Another fine sunny

day. More wind, and dust blowing in clouds. The night

party returned without mishap, having dug their sap

and wired it. The 16th were rattled at first by a few

Whizz-Bangs going over head. They had evidently done

no trench work, and were rather at sea generally. No

wonder, as they were making railways in rear for the

last six months. Wonder how long postal arrangements

to Ireland will be interrupted by this Dublin show;

expect for some days, and we've got to do without letters,

owing to this rotten Govt. What troops have they

got to deal with the situation? They might send the

10th down. How they'd enjoy it. 3 p.m.—Huns been

Shelling Battery behind our H.Q. about 400 yards. From

12 to 3 p.m. put in 60 shells, 6 of which were duds, and

no damage done. Very interesting watching it from our

garden. Sunday, April 30th—4 days, no letters. Suppose

Troops from England occupy all available boats.

Another attempted raid on our part last night, preceded

by a 2-hour Artillery strafe, which made sleep impossible.

The raid was from the 29th Div. to wipe out their former

fiasco, but alas! it failed. The Bosche was ready for

them and drove them back. We had a Service in a forge

this a.m., and got about 250 men there. Padre gave us

a splendid sermon. They left, this place alone last night

and only put

A Few Shrapnel Bouquets

at the guns, making 120 odd shots at them in the day.

The result of the 120 shots; most, of them 5.9, on the

Battery behind us, was one man wounded and he went

out to mend his wire. Went down to see Brew and his

lot yesterday p.m. They are holding an outpost in a wood

and seemed very happy. The wood was quite lovely—

young beech, and a carpet of anemones, blue bells and

cowslips. No primroses. The river near them where

they bathe; quite an ideal existence in this weather.

Thursday's and Friday's "Times" came yesterday.

Interesting as to Government defeat over the Recruiting

Campaign, but destitute of much news about Ireland.

Sudden thunderstorm came up out of a cloudless sky,

dust blowing and heavy peals of thunder, but rain not

begun yet. It will lay the dust, which has been very

bad. 10 p.m.—No letter again to-day. Yesterday's

“Daily Mail" gives a 2 page account of the Dublin rising.

I'm relieved to see Ulster is absolutely quiet. It seems

to have come to a head a little prematurely, but is part

of a large conspiracy engineered by German money. I

see Enniscorthy and Gorey are centres of trouble.

Monday, May 1st—Another glorious day and very warm.

Walked to H— and saw Bull and Brig. Yesterday was

quiet except for a Hun strafe of about half an hour S. of

this some way. Saw Sunday's “Daily Mail." Dublin

still seems to be in rebel hands, and 6,000 rebels in

Wexford. Am anxious about Woodbrook. Kut has

fallen, alas! after a gallant struggle. According to

present arrangements we shall remain going in and out

in this bit till about 20th, when we go back for a fortnight

and then into this bit again. Wonder when letters will

get through. Another lot go on leave today. Wonderful

tales of rebels shooting women and children; wonder

are the U.V.F. doing anything. They should be

Organised for the Defence of Ulster

I know you'll let me know all the news you hear. 4 p.m.

—Your letter of Wednesday just arrived. Great relief.

You are evidently more in the dark than we are! 12th

sent up S.O.S. signal about 8.45 p.m. Apparently they

were being bombarded with trench mortars. However,

after quarter hour all was quiet again. You appear to

have had very heavy rain, hope you are having this

glorious weather now. It banked up for thunder again

this evening, but nothing came; the evening is close.

We go in again tomorrow for 6 days.

(To be continued.)