April 1924

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

APRIL, 1924.

PARISH OF SEAGOE.

A Sale of Work

Will be held (D.V.) in

DRUMGOR SCHOOL-HOUSE,

Lurgan Road, on

Easter Tuesday, April 22, 1924.

Opening Ceremony at 3 p.m.

All kinds of Amusements in the Open Air and

under Cover.

Refreshment Stall, Farm Produce Stall, Work Stalls,

Bran Dips Aunt Sally, Quoits.

come AND ENJOY YOURSELF.

Drumgor School is 2 ½ miles from Portadown Bridge,

on the Lurgan Road.

Services in Holy Week.

On each night during Holy Week (except Saturday),

a Service Will be held in the Parish Church at

8 0'clock.

Special Addresses on subjects connected with "The

Passion of Our Lord," will be given by the

following—

Monday, 13^th April Rev J. F. Belton, M.A.

Curate of Shankhill

Tuesday, 14th—Rev. W. Orr, LL.D.

Vicar of Gilford.

Wednesday 15th— “

Thursday, 16th—Rev. H, F. Egerton M.A.

Curate, St. Mark's, Portadown.

Good Friday.

11-80 a.m.—Morning Prayer and Litany

8 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The offerings on Good Friday will be on behalf of

the Jews' Society.

Easter Day.

8 a.m.-—Holy Communion.

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

Communion

7 p.m.—Evening Prayer and Sermon.

The offerings at all Services on Easter Day, will be

on behalf of our Parish Sunday Schools.

Appointment of Second Curate,

The Rector has appointed Mr Robert W. Johnston

to the Second Curacy of Seagoe Parish. Mr

Johnston who will (D.V.) be Ordained to the Curacy

at the June Ordinations, comes to the Parish with a

remarkable record of faithful service. At the outbreak

of the Great War in 1914 he was an Assistant

Master in Bandon Grammar School, Co. Cork. He

at once joined up enlisting as a Private.

He served continuously in the ranks until in

September, 1916, he received a Commission. Having

resided in his early days in the Co. Fermanagh,

and being an Ulsterman, he was posted to the 36th

Ulster Division, and became a Lieutenant in our own

9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. He went through

the heavy fighting on the Flanders front, and was

severely wounded in the chest and left arm. The

latter wound incapacitated him from further service,

and he was invalided off the Army. Since his

recovery he has studied Divinity for two years in St.

Aidan's College, Birkenhead, and has obtained the

Licentiate of Theology in the University of Durham.

"Artillery" Johnston, as he was known in the 9th

Battalion, will receive a hearty welcome from the

people of Seagoe. He comes among us to proclaim

the Gospel of self-sacrifice and faithful service, and

those with whom he fought side by Bide in the

trenches will rally round him when he comes freshly

commissioned to the Parish as an officer in the army

of the Church Militant.

Drumgor Sale of Work.

If you want to spend a pleasant day on Easter

Tuesday 'you should make your way to Drumgor

Schoolhouse, on the Lurgan Road. There will be

all kinds of amusement9, as well as stalls, crowded

with nice and useful goods. Refreshments can be

had at a cheap rate.. The proceeds of the sale will be

on behalf of Drumgor School, which has been the

centre of much good work for the past 40 years.

is hoped to renovate the building, and make it more

useful for its purpose,

Hibernian Bible Society.

The Rev. Cecil Long, M.A., deputation Secretary

for the Hibernian Bible Society, will (D. V.) make an

appeal on behalf of the Society in Seagoe Church. on

Sunday, April 12th, at Morning and Evening Prayer.

The Bible Society has helped us most liberally,having

on many occasions given us grants of valuable Bibles

for prizes at half-price. The Bibles given away at

the recent Prize Distributions were valued at £16,

but the Bible Society only charged us £8. We hope

that all Who value the circulation of the Sacred

Scriptures will give liberal help to the Society.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Seagoe Easter Vestry.

The Easter Vestry for this year will be held (D. V.)

on Thursday, April 24th, in Seagoe School, at 8 p.m.

Business Nomination and Election of Churchwardens,

and Select Vestry for 1924-5. Presentation

of accounts.

Parish Register for March.

Birth.

Walker March 161b, at 78 Bromley Road, Catford London, S.E., to Dr.

and Mrs. William B. Walker—a son.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on 1st March, 1924—

Ellis—Albert, son of Isaac James and Agnes Ellis' of Killicomain.

Sponsors—Mary Jane Ellis, Agnes Ellis.

Glassey— Samuel Joseph, son of William John and Rosina Glassey, of Edenderry

Sponsors—Martha Glassey, Rosina Glassey

McLoughlin—Cecil, son of William John and Sarah Margaret McLoughlin, of Lower

Seagoe. Sponsors—Anne Douglas Porter, Sarah Margaret McLoughlin.

Jennett—Sarah May, daughter of William and Evelyn Jennett, of Edenderry

Sponsors—Emily Reid, Evelyn Jennett.

Gibson—March 3rd, Mary Elizabeth and Robert Henry, children of Robert and Eveline

Gibson of Edenderry.

Pierson—March 5th, Mary Winifred, daughter of Joseph Henry and Mary Ann Pierson, of

Edenderry.

Sponsors —Mary Jane McCormick, Mary Anne Pierson.

Marriages,

Gregson and Parks—March 19th, William Gregson of Drumgor,

to Lilian Parks, of Lurgan. Parish of Shankill.

McDowell and Black — Aprill 4th, William McDowell, of Lurgan, Parish of Shankill,

to Anne Black, of Knock.

Burials.

McLoughlin — March 5th, John McLoughlin, formerly of Ballyhannon, aged 48.

Johnston—M arch 13th, Edith Louisa Johnston, of Kernan, aged 18 months.

Dickson—March 16th, Edith Dickson, of Drumnagoon.

McCormick—March 21st, Robert McCormick, formerly of Drumlisnagrilly, aged 80.

S.P.G.

The Rev. J. H. McCleary, Deputation Secretary

for the Society, will (D.V.) in Seagoe Church

at Morning and Evening Prayer, on Sunday, April

6th. The claims of this great Missionary Society. which

since its foundation by King William Ill, has been

foremost in spreding Gospel in Colonial and

Foreign lands, demands our earnest and hearty

support. The great work of the Society in Canada

alone, where 80 many of our people emigrate, would

entitle it to our most generous support. But for its

help there would have been no Clergy and no

Churches in Canada to meet our people when they

leave these shores.

The Jews Society,

We always enjoy a visit from the Rev. T. E.

Davidson. Deputation Secretary for tug Jews

Society. He gave a very interesting Lantern Lecture

in Edenderry Parochial Hall, on Thursday,

March 13th. The Collecting Boxes were opened and

counted with the following result—Collected by Miss

Halliday (Boxes) Miss Margretta Atkinson, £l 5s ld ;

Miss Halliday's S.S. Class, £l 5s Od; Mrs Rennix,

14s 2d ; Miss Maisie Hynes, 14s Od ; Miss Lily

McKerr, 18s 9d ; Miss A. Hawthorne, 12s ; Mrs

Vance, 10s; Miss Montgomery, 10s; Miss Emily

Cox, 7s 10d ; Miss McClements. 7s ; Mrs Flanagan,

4s 4d ; Miss Clara Kirby, 4s 2d ; Mrs Robert Magee,

3s 9d ; Mrs Best, 3s 4d ; Miss Charlotte Allen, 2s 8d ;

Miss Violet Fox, 2s O ½ d ; Miss Lily Morton, Is 7d ;

Miss Winnie Patton, £1 0 ½ d Subscriptions—Miss

Armstrong, £2; Miss Halliday, £l ; Miss E. Hallie

day, 10s. Total, £11 12s 3d.

Lough Neagh in Legend and History.

The Rev Canon Archer will (D.v.) deliver his

Lecture on the above subject in Edenderry Parochial

Hall, on Thursday, April 10th, at 8 p.m. The

Lecture was first given by Canon Archer before the

Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Society

last February, in the Museum, College Square,

Belfast. It will be illustrated by Maps and Diagrams.

The following is an outline of the Lecture—

The Natural Features of the Lough, extent, depth,

configuration—Legends associated with the lake, the

Story of Liban, - the Plain of the Grey Copse—

suggested scientific origins of the Lake, History Of

the Lake in the Celtic, Danish, and early Medieval

Periods—Naval Engagements on the Lake in the

16th and 17th centuries—"Dicky" Barton and the

Lough Fossils—The Making of the Lagan Canal—

The Coming of the Railways—Recent happenings—

Fauna and Flora of the Lake—Lough Fisheries—

The Future of the Lake. Tickets 2/- and 1/- are now

on sale. Proceeds in aid of Seagoe Parish School

Fund.

Lough Neagh possesses special interest for those

who live in the neighbourhood of Seagoe and

Portadown. Up to the year 1765 the Parish Of

Seogoe extended as far as the Lough shore, where

the Parish of Ardmore now is.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

Sunday School Excursion.

At a meeting of the superintendents and teachers

of the Parochial Sunday Schools on Monday, March

31st, it was decided to have the Sunday School

Excursion to Warrenpoint on Thursday, June 19th.

It was also suggested that the children be asked to

pay in to their teacher One Penny weekly between

this and the Excursion towards covering the cost of

their Excursion Ticket.

ITEMS.

Seagoe Day School Pupils were photographed on

Thursday, March 27th, at the school by a Scotch

travelling photographer named Bell.

The long spell of dry and bright weather has been

of great use to the farmers.

The list of S. A. M.S. Box Collections is held over

until our next issue.

We acknowledge with thanks the receipt of 10/-

from Mrs. Guy, Mrs. Hardy and Miss Ena Allen, of

the United States, towards the New Parochial Hall

Railing, Edenderry.

C.M.S.Boxes 1923-24.

Total, £9 13s 2d.

Drumgor. 4d—Mrs. Dickson, 6s; Miss H.

Martin, 1s 0 ½ d ; Mrs. McMullan 2s 9 ½ d; Mrs. W.

Gracey 2s; Miss M. Gracey 2s 2d ; Mrs. Hopps Is 3d;

—ld.

Edenderry, £l 8s Od —Mrs. H. Stoops 2s 6d ;

Mr. VV. Tedford Is; Mrs. Magee 3s 5 ½ d. Mrs.

Flannigan 2s 3 ½ d ; Mrs. Dowson 6s 6 ½ d ; Misses Atkinson

3s 4d; Mr. T. Metcalf 3s 10 ½ d ; Miss G. E..Atkinson

5s.

Seagoe, £l 1Is O ½ d— Seagoe Girls' Bible Class,

Mr. Rennix 7s 7 ½ d , Mrs. Ramsey 2s 6d; Miss Isa

Best 4s ld; Miss M. Ruddell, 7s ld.

Hacknahay, £5 18s 9+d—Mrs. Bradshaw 3s 11d;

Miss R. Black 3s l ½ d; Miss M. England Is 4 ½ d ;

Mrs Quinn 6d; Mrs. T. Neill 3s 4 ½ d ; Mrs. H. Neill

Mrs. Abraham 5s; Miss Sarah Maginnis 6s ; Miss J.

Currie 3s bd; Miss Rodgers 8d; Miss G. Best 6s ll ½ d;

Mrs. Doyle 6s 9d; Mrs. N. England ; 5s 3d ; Mr. B.

Jennett 15s 5 ½ d; George McNeill 11d; Mr. W. J.

Calvert 2s 5d ; Miss Calvert £l 16s 6d.

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

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

(Continued from March Magazine.)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20th.

I generally take a subject each day—politics, religion, education, society, etc. It has been most illuminating and instructive. English people hold strangely wrong views on French life and thought, gathered, of course, from French novels, which do not in the least represent French life.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21st.

Shill. returned to 9th today. Pratt and Padre both looked in to tea yesterday. My experience here for the last six weeks proves to me that the 9th are easily the best Battalion in the Brigade, which is satisfactory. They have had fewer changes, and Fergie, of course, is a tower of strength in accuracy and reliability, and young Shill. Is an apt pupil. Herdman, of Downs, is now doing Staff Captain, a very pleasant capable fellow, and hard working. He and Duke are both most delightful fellows to work with. Poor ‘C’ Company have had a hard time lately. In a fortnight they have lost their Coy. commander, killed; next platoon commander, Sleator, hospital with conjunctivitis, and I fear, won’t return; Coy. Sergt-Major gone home for a commission; Coy. Q.M.S. [ Quartermaster Sergeant ] promoted Regt. Q.M.S.—fearful blows to a Coy. Conditions in the front line are bad. Our Bn. H.Q. is quite good and has been strengthened with an elephant. Brigade have had no letters or papers since last Friday. Another foggy, damp day.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd.

Came back to the Battalion just before dinner, having cleared up every paper, and left nothing ‘pending’ in Bde. Office. This morning Duke ‘phoned to say the General never returned last night after all, and is not yet back, so I had to go up this morning and spend a long time clearing papers up, etc., again. We have had none of your lovely February days—foggy and wet again today. Am stuck for another Gen. Court Martial tomorrow. Quite a nice billet here, and I have quite a comfy room.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23rd.

Foggy and wet like November. General arrived last night; he was hung up at Folkestone; no boats running. It was a Regt. in the 16th Div. that got so mauled last week (young Harden’s) and whose wounded were brought in. We go in on Monday. The 9th have won the General’s Silver Bugle, so everyone is greatly bucked. The 13th were running us close, but were beaten at football yesterday. We are playing R.A. this afternoon, and 8th R.I.R. tomorrow. Our Bde. H.Q. in the line have been greatly strengthened and good elephants put in. Allen and Henahan were both grazed with shell last tour, but never went off duty. Quite slight.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24th.

Dull today, but no fog. The latest craze is planting waste places in vicinity of huts and camps with vegetables. With these constant moves I consider the lack of continuity will militate against success, at an important moment in the life of the potato or cabbage. Units will be changing, and die, I fear. I am going to try half an acre at the Transport, under the care and supervision of Stronge.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25th.

Foggy early, but now sunny and spring-like, the first day approaching spring weather we have had. Haven’t quite picked up the Battalion life after my long absence. Henahan was only wounded slightly in the head, and remained at duty. Allen was also grazed in the head and remained at duty. Ensor returned today from Army School. Good match yesterday; they beat us five goals to four. Padre gave us a splendid sermon on ‘Temptation’ this morning. Who should look in this evening but Charles Hope . Now a Major in 16th Div. Arty. [ See 13 November Letter. ] Full of chat, says he is paying £700 a year in death duties for eight years. Askwith, who was Brig-Gen., is now Lieut. Col. again, as they abolished his billet with Cavalry Corps; at present home on sick leave. It’s been a peaceful day, but looks like rain. There have been a good many raids and counter raids on this front, with varying success. Ll. G. made a splendid speech.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26th.

Lovely sunny spring day. All kit packed for the

line, so writing under difficulties. Capital news from

the South.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27th.

Here I am in the line again. We got in safely, by day, thank Goodness, and had a quiet night. 12th [ Royal Irish Rifles ] had a very quiet tour. Weather dull and inclined to rain. Fergie has got 14 days leave and went off this morning jubilant. Quite a good Bn. H.Q., I think the best we have struck so far. We have put in elephants; there was nothing before to protect one. Had a long trek all round the line this morning—pretty bad in parts, but considering frost and thaw not so bad as I had expected. Bob Maxwell and G.B. looked in yesterday evening. I really have been curiously lucky this winter. Last night was the first night I have spent in the line since Dec. 2nd!

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28th.

Dull misty day again and very quiet, so far. Went over and had tea with Bob [ Maxwell] yesterday. An old Marine called Poe attached to us for four days. A man wounded yesterday evening and another today, both Englishmen. Not serious. Arm broken and flesh wound. Looked very like rain this a.m., but has kept off. Great thing being dull. The Bosche ‘planes don’t come over and observe working parties, and their artillery is quiet. Fergie went off yesterday. Young Shill. doing splendidly. Mayes, the new Chaplain, has gone sick. Not been long out here before getting sick.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1st.

Another dull day, but no rain. A heavy strafe for an hour last night, well to the north, from 9.45 to 10.30 p.m. Quiet night with us. The Bde. has a conference here at 10.30 a.m. this morn, about work, etc.

The Artillery officer now stays with us for six days instead of changing every 24 hours—much better. We send officers to the Battery for 48 hours when we are out of the line. The entente between infantry and artillery is wonderfully good.

1.00 p.m. Such a lovely spring day. Delighted to see they are re-arresting and deporting the Sinn Feiners. Sergt. Wolfe is back with the Battalion. He is a splendid fellow—now Scout Sergt, which he delights in. Henahan has got ‘C’ [Company]—he is a fine fellow and a man. Our men have been wonderfully free from Tommy’s vices—venereal, drink and bad language. I’m sorry to note on returning that these English drafts have been taught the last; at least there is a good deal more of it than there was.

FRIDAY, MARCH 2nd.

Dull morning, inclined to rain now. A burst of fire from 7.00 to 7.30 p.m. last night. We had one man hit. Intermittent fire all night. A certain amount of activity on the part of the enemy all yesterday p.m. T.M.’s [ trench mortars ] in front line and big strafe on our guns and back areas. Padre heard of Wingfield a short time ago. He was going to R.F.C. as his leg would prevent his marching.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3rd.

Frost last night and thick mist this morning. Quiet night. Bosche blow up a mine somewhere N. of us at 5.45 a.m., which shook everything. Monday is Barossa Day so shall have a whole holiday. Parade in a.m. for Gen. Griffith to present Bugle; football match in afternoon. Cannot manage concert, no room available.

SUNDAY, MARCH 4th.

We have really been lucky in the weather this tour—no rain and only one sunny day, which means shelling, and aerial activity. ‘Percy’ told me this part of France was renowned for its piety. I gather the feeling generally of the French towards religion was much the same as it was in England before the war. The war has made people think more of a future state. Sunny day after a white frost, so everything is messy and greasy. We go outside this p.m. No ‘planes over today; one tried about 10.00 a.m., but was driven back by our Archies [ anti-aircraft artillery ]. Our snipers have done good work this time. We have silenced the Bosche sniper not a shot from him this time, and outed a lot of Bosches in the front line. Our heavies are booming away preparatory to a bombardment this p.m. Bosche not replying. He has been paying much more attention to our guns and back areas lately than the front line. We’ve done a good deal of work this tour, but not much to show for it. On one place (elephant for men) we have put 9,000 sand bags, and there are another 20,000 to go on to complete. Have completed a Coy. H.Q. in front line.

MONDAY, MARCH 5th—Barossa Day.

The 500 pairs socks have arrived safe, so we are splendidly off. Still 80 men not been on leave who came out with us. No one goes a second time till all have gone. All our arrangements for today—presentation of Bugle, etc.—have had to be abandoned owing to snow, which set in early this morning, and still continues. We got out yesterday at 5.30 p.m. all right. Poozy to get one’s clothes off and have a bath. Gibson and Barcroft turned up last night. Have to go to an anti-gas lecture this p.m. Next night we only go four days in. Roads fearful again.

(To be continued.)