August 1920

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

August, 1920.

Seagoe War Memorial.

Great changes have been made in the Church

Grounds during the past month. The pillars and

gates were taken down on Monday, July 5th, after

having been in their place exactly 100 years, since

1820. £28 18s ld were allocated by the Vestry of

that day to pay for the pillars and gate. The following

reference, from the old Registers, to the gate is of

special interest: “Note The gate weighed Cwt. 7.

Qrs 3, lbs. 7, which at 3d per lb. is £10 8s 9d, which

the Churchwardens settled for, and paid in full,”

Robert Watson, Churchwarden, arranged for the

erection of the gates

As the new gate and pillars will not be ready until

the autumn, temporary wooden gates have been

erected. The lowering of the walls has greatly

improved the appearance of the church grounds.

Anniversary Service.

The Service held on Sunday, July 11th, was

attended by 236 members of the local lodges from

Seagoe and Portadown. The church was crowded,

and the Service was very bright and reverent. The

Rev. R. B. Cooke, of Belfast, preached, and in the

course of his sermon referred to the stirring events

of the past and present history of our land. The

collection was on behalf of the Enniskillen Orphan

Fund, and amounted to £9 15s 9d.

Acknowledgment.

Mission Week—Miss Montgomery, 14s. Total to

date, £9 17s ld. This sum was accidentally omitted

from last month's issue.

Decorations on "The Twelfth.”

A very fine Arch was erected in Edenderry this

year. It was made by a loyal Edenderry man and

his son —The Messrs. Adair of James Street. It

reflected much credit on their talent, and with its

gates and guns was a powerful reminder of what took

place 250 years ago in Derry. Another Arch of fine

proportions spanned Goban Street, and was, we hear,

the work of the boys of Goban Street, Joseph Street

and the Red Row had also a fine display of bunting.

ITEMS.

The Edenderry Pipers Band made a fine turn-out

on the "Twelfth."

***

Protestant Orphan Cards should be returned on

August 1st.

***

Seagoe School re-opens (D.V.) on Monday. August

16th, at 9-30 a.m.

***

The Rev. R. B. Cooke, who preached at the Anniversary

Service, is a native of Levaghery.

***

Cooke's Hill, now Carrick Blacker Road, was

formerly the residence of Mr. Cooke's family.

***

The Bishop has arranged to visit Seagoe on

Sunday, November 21st.

***

Potato Blight has made its appearance in the

Parish.

***

PARISH REGISTER for JULY.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized on July 3rd, 1920,

in Seagoe Parish Church.

Hewitt—Thomas James, son of Moses and Rachel

Jane Hewitt, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Mary Elizabeth McNally, Rachel Jane

Hewitt.

Somerville—Margaret Elizabeth, daughter of John

and Mary Somerville, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Martha Glassey, Mary Somerville.

Best—Margaret, daughter of William David and

Sarah Anne Best, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Mary Jane Best, Sarah Anne Best.

Dickson—Mary Edith and John, children of John

and Mary Dickson, of Lisniskey.

Sponsors—Sarah Hara, Mary Dickson.

Wright—William Norman, son of William and

Elizabeth Wright, of Tarson.

Sponsors—William Wright, Elizabeth Wright.

Porter—Norah, daughter of David and Sarah Mary

Porter, of Kernan.

Sponsors—Caroline Magee, Sarah Mary Porter.

Ruddell—Thomas, son of Joseph and Mary Jane

Ruddell, of Kernan.

Sponsors—Caroline Magee, Mary Jane Ruddell.

Marriage.

Jeffers and McIlwaine – On July 7th, 1920, Albert

Jeffers, of Belfast, to Emily Conway McIlwaine,

of Drumgor.

Burials.

Major—5th July, Robert Major, of Lower Seagoe,

aged 82 years

Brown —11th July, John Brown, of Kernan, aged

2 years.

Devine —18th July, John Alexander Devine, of

Knock, aged 79 years.

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE,

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

[Continued from July Magazine.]

Sunday, October 31.

Having Service in barn, and Communion in

Schoolhouse.

Pte Wilson was mending wire in front, with a

party at night, when they sprayed with M.G. on

chance, and got him. Don't see much of other

Battalions. The instant a man is ill he is sent right

away. One man has been sent home with appendicitis.

Gen. Allenby is acting in command of III Army at

present. The Germans have never been as far as this.

They came within a mile of our first billets —chez

Mons le Curé, and man suspected of spying was taken

and tortured and killed. I don't censor the officers' letters.

I put them on their honour. We have stopped all papers

except "Times" and "Daily Mail," as they accumulated

so, when we were moving and could not be carried.

Monday, November 1st.

Today has arrived an issue of one pair woollen

gloves per man, and 50 extra for emergencies. Send

along all mitts you have, they will come in useful

for emergencies. Concentrate on socks, of which

they never have enough. Cakes or bread, if at all

feasible, they would love. Am trying to rig up some

sort of place as a reading room, but it is so hard to

get a place.

Bertie McCalmont has gone to take command of

1st Irish Guards. Withicombe, K.O.L.I., has got

107th Brigade.

The place is liquid mud ankle deep, and the

country over your ankles. We shall do much damage

to crops to-morrow, I fear, with our Field Day.

Tuesday, Nov. 2nd.

Bull, who has come to command 12th R.I.R.

(in Mc'C's place), is a 1.st R.I.F. man. We started

at 7-15 a.m. this morn and returned at 2 p.m., and

it never ceased pouring the whole time. It's still

raining, harder than ever. Roads running water.

Had a bath to-night. Washing just back; very well

done.

Wednesday, Nov. 3rd.

Fine, after three days' rain. I am trying to

start sort of canteen to supply note paper, soap, and

little things, but until we are settled it is difficult.

Our report from G.O.C., 48th Div. (Gen. Fanshawe,

I think), to whom we were attached while in the

Trenches, etc., has just come in; rather satisfactory.

Among other pleasant things he says— “The 9th

R. Ir. Fuse is the best Battalion of the New Army I

have seen. “Of course, he may not have seen many,

but still its pleasant, and will buck up all ranks.

11th and 12th gey good reports too. Halahan's sing

song tomorrow night, is in a somewhat battered

barn, which he calls the Cathedral, as we have Service

there.

Thursday, Nov. 4th.

Socks, and indeed, all articles, are very hard to

get out of Ordnance. The Battalion wants everything,

and cannot get from Ordnance—Boots, Clothing of

all sorts, and necessaries. Socks are always wanted.

One can replenish nominally at any time, but as

say, things are hard to get. The evenings are drawing

in fast, and getting cold. Feeling very fit and well.

Friday, Nov. 5th.

Glad Socks for men are on their way. Would

like potted meat and cake. Frost and colder. Fine

sunny day. Am trying a scheme of sending to Field

Force Canteen for things for men. The difficulty is

the lack of all change under 5 franc notes.

Saturday, Nov. 6th.

Parcel came to-day with 36 pairs of Mitts. All

the Company Commanders delighted with them. 168

pairs Socks also arrived. Splendid. They are indeed

a boon. Lovely cloudless day, with N wind and

strong sun; a perfect late autumnal day. Did some

revolver practice with Adjt. in p.m., alternate right

and left hand.

Sunday, Nov. 7th.

Padre had a severe day, five Services this a.m.

and two in p.m.

Monday, Nov. 8th.

Cakes and potted meat, etc., are very welcome

whilst we are sitting tight am trying to rig up

Recreation Room for the men, but it's very hard to

get a place at all. Weather fine for last week but

has broken again, and is raining now. I asked

Halahan to write to you re. sending out games—

draughts, dominoes, etc., for the men. Mitts will, of

course, soon wear out, and they and socks will be

always welcome. Shirts are easy to obtain so don't

send them. French bread is good, but we only get

the brownish variety, not the white. The ration bread

is not enough for these men, who still buy much

bread. Bales of papers will be excellent. I am

starting Recreation Rooms in each of the villages

with the Padre's help. "Times" Broadsheets are

excellent. Yes, send some. The King asked for

McCalmont, so he could hardly refuse. I heard this

morning that we are getting Gen. Powell's cup for

best Brigade at Musketry, and he is giving it to us as

the best shooting Battalion, and it is to go to FitzGerald

at Lurgan, very sensibly. I asked him to have an order

published about it. I find men had an issue of gloves

about four months ago, and they are now all worn out!

Fergie says more can be got from Ordnance. He thinks

notepaper and indelible pencils are badly wanted.

Tuesday, Nov. 9th.

Col. Bull, who has come to command the 12 ^th R.I R.,

started in Leinsters and went into Irish Fus. You ask

about food—Well, breakfast: tinned salmon kedgerie,

or ditto fish, cakes, eggs and bacon, Cooper's marmalade,

tea, fresh milk and butter. Lunch—1 p.m.: mince or stewed

beef, stewed apples, cream and sugar. Dinner—7 p.m.:

Maconachy ration, stewed prunes or apples, and

coffee. Quite good, but little variety. Called at 7;

breakfast, 8; parade, 9 to 1; bed, 9-30 to 10. There

is a fearful amount of rum in the village. I think

the houses have it. Their lives, doing Field Punishment,

are not pleasant. I have got a new Provost Sergeant who

hots'em well. Betsy Jane had got so woolly that she was

clipped to-day and looks very smart. She is under cover,

in a barn (in fact, Stronge has all the transport animals

under a roof), and has a good warm blanket. The mail

doesn't leave till about 2 p.m. Had a bath this evening.

Plum pudding and caviare for dinner. I have Cather

training as an understudy to Adjt. Raining steadily tonight.

I have asked the Padre to a write short weekly note

to "Armagh Guardian," as to our doings. Tiger's

Wednesday, Nov. 10th.

Nice bright morning after the rain. I wrote in

yesterday strongly recommending the cheese ration—

4oz. a day per man be reduced to same amount twice

week, as the men do not care about it, and in lieu

that more vegetables and potatoes be allowed, to be

purchased locally. One cheese ration for the Batt.

Hugh O'Neill has been taken on at Div. H.Q. Staff,

as Claims Officer. No chickens, no omelettes! Yes,

Fanshawe is the G.O.C. 48th Div., and he said "The

9th R. I. F. appear to be well disciplined, well trained,

and well commanded They are the best Battalion in

the New Armies I have seen. “Yes, there is some

rheumatism, a good deal of toothache, some diarrhoea.

and the usual sprains, sore feet, &c. Few cases of

itch. About 40 in hospital, of whom about 6 will go to

England. The men are in barns mostly and out houses;

very dirty some of them, but now cleaned up, and plenty

of clean straw. We have nearly 2000 now. Turned very wet.

Thursday, Nov. 1 1th.

Lovely morning, fresh and bright, Chickens

here at 5 francs each. Reading Room was crowded

last night. Light was bad, but tried to get Acetylene

hand lamp but failed. How about lanterns or lamps?

I hope very much to get the extra veg. and potatoes,

5 days week, instead of cheese. Cannot hear anything

of lamps from Amiens. Good thing for you to accumulate

sandbags to send out, when we go up again, Saw Elkington

today, looking much better for his nine days at home.

Cheery as usual.

9-30 p.m. Brigade Major came in just before dinner

to say a telephone message had come from Div. H Q.

that we were to start for the Trenches again on

Monday, a bother as we have been spending much

time and labour in making these billets comfortable

for the men. To go in for a fortnight and then come back

here is the idea; very upsetting this moving about. If we

could only settle down to regular trench line we would be

comfortable. However, here it is and it's no use grumbling.

My kit will be heavy. Shall have to leave something behind,

I expect. Raining hard to-night.

Friday, Nov. 12th.

We are to go into the 4th Div. lot of Trenches near Mailly,

I think. We are ordered to march 17 miles on Sunday, and

12 Monday. The men can’t do it, and I've represented it

pretty strongly. I don't know what the outcome will be.

Anyhow after to-morrow, till we are settled in the Trench

line, my letters will be scrappy and uncertain. Such a wild

wet day. We went to the rendezvous, and then came home.

Scrambling to get men fitted with boots. Such a lot have

gone altogether. Fergie says we have 3,400 sandbags. They

will all be wanted. Much warmer this evening. but windy

all day, tho’ it doesn't seem to be windy place. Practically

none to bother about since we came out.

Saturday, Nov. 13th.

Another wet day. I suppose the weather has broken. Just

like last year. It was yesterday, last year, we moved from

Clandeboy to Belfast. A cheerful prospect for the march

tomorrow. To start men off on a 17-mile march is madness!

Stating Brigade and Div. make no difference in time of receipt

of letters. I fancy the order was issued in case Battalions or

Brigades were detached.

Later.

Well, our move is postponed, and we don't move now until

Monday at 7 a.m. for P _____. Next day two Companies

to C ____ C, and two Companies to M________ Y. Who

should turn up this p.m., but Holt? He is Div. Cavalry to 3rd Div.,

now resting. Got an opportunity of a car and came down to H.Q.,

and Farnham brought him over to see me. Looking so well, full

of buck, and enjoying himself. Been up near Wipers for some time.

Hope to be able to get boots for the men whose boots are done

(about 80) before we move now. I rather dread the two marches

first 17 miles, and next day 12 miles. Glad we are staying on.

We shall get mail, double dose, tomorrow, instead of it pursuing us,

and our getting four days at once.

I see the Huns put 80 high explosives into our last Trench place

yesterday. The "Downs" go there. The 1st R.I.F. are at Mailly, so

we may see them. The men like going back to the Trench line. This

sort of playing at soldiers—Div. Field Days, and digging latrines,

etc., is making them discontented, so I'm glad we're going.

Sunday, Nov. 14th.

Lovely day. Church in the barn at 10 a.m. Padre had mustered

an efficient choir. which made much difference to heartiness of

service. The broadsheets here, Padre says some men like them

very much. I fancy they are a little above the heads of some men.

It's no use sending out old dailies. Some people are sending

Halahan weeks old papers; pure waste. Padre is simply excellent.

He moves round the men, runs the Reading Room, and literature

is invaluable. He never intrudes in any way. On a march he is

worth a wagon with the stragglers. He and Berry will have their

work cut out to-morrow. I fear. Meat lozenges still going well,

and half-a-box in hand. We had your wet weather on Friday.

Hope it will be fine to-morrow. Bull is off on leave and is trying

to get 1st R.I.F. Kentish has been made Commandant, School

of Instruction at St. Omer. C. Clarke comes as Staff Captain, I

believe. I had to send Reid to Havre as an Instructor of

Reinforcements. I was sorry for him: it seems ridiculous to

call on front line Units to find Instructors, when there are

plenty at home dying to come out. We all continue fit and well

I'm thankful to say. Two more cases of appendicitis, from eating

green apples, Berry says; one of Tuberculosis. The waste of war

has begun without wound casualties. Letters for the next few

days will be irregular. Tomorrow, I doubt being able to post a

letter, and the next day the same, but by Wednesday we ought to

have settled down all right and the post sorted itself. Breakfast

6-15 a.m. tomorrow in the dark. Snow is our Army Corps

Commander. He came out in Command of 4th Div. Frank Lyon

is his G.S.O.I. Eastings Anderson is on either his Staff or 111th

Army Staff.

Monday, Nov. 15th— [Puchevillers.]

5 p.m. Just in after 17 ½ miles. Heavy snow in early a.m.,

2 inches to 3 inches on road. Very bad for horses and heavy for

men. Start and first 6 miles very trying. Transport jibbing and falling.

Men handling waggons. Snowing at times. We then got on to level

road; sun came out and things were all right. Men marched in here at

4-15 p.m. splendidly. We had dinner halfway, cooked in cookers.

Padre and Berry splendid, helping transport, driving waggons, handling

wheels, and cheering on the men. We brought everyone in, thanks to

them, with the Battalion. This is where we billeted before going up to

trenches, where Pratt, Adjt. and I were in one room. Much better billets

this time. I have a room and bed. We start at 9 a.m. tomorrow. French

troops here also. Delay in post caused by submarine in Channel I hear.

Wednesday, Nov. 17th—Colincamps.]

No means of posting, or getting letters. Monday

or Tuesday. Heavy march in here. 12 miles in snow,

yesterday. Transport took 8 hours. Men and horses

cooked. Rum ration. In different billets. Tomorrow

we take over Trench line as a Battalion—two Companies

here and two Companies H.Q. in Trenches. Don't know

for how long. Have had no letters since Sunday. I believe

a five-day mail comes in this p.m. All well, save for Brew,

internal chill, and Allen. Just seen Willie Strong, who is

Brigadier R.A. this Div. Came in here to see me. Looking

very well, but snow-white hair. W. Stirling here in Command

of R.A., and S. Gosling, Major, Commanding a Battery.

Dined with latter. Have to be off in 15 minutes to look round

trenches we take over to-morrow p.m. I don't know how long

we shall be in. All sorts of rumours about. This is a weird billet.

Pratt, Adjt. and I in one room. I in the mess room, and the

kitchen next door. No tables or chairs. Lovely sunny day. Snow

still lying. We take over from 7th A. & S. H'rs., Commanded by

Hyslop. Hall, Brigadier of 10th Bde., under whom we go, knows

both Pratt and Fergie. Rather rushed. Writing on floor, while

others are eating! We are going in a very quiet bit of line, and I am

living in a dug-out. Much more comfy than this billet, I expect.

Wed. & Thur., Nov. 17th & 18th.

No mail in yet. Started at 1-30 and went round Trench line. We

take over to-morrow. Quite decent dug-out; two beds and mess

for self, Adjt. and Pratt, M.G. officer, and R.A. observing officer;

rest back in a village. Company dug-outs quite good, but men's

very bad. Trenches, of course, in muddy state, and not so good as

H _______ ones, but paved with brick in parts. As far as I can

gather we are not to be in for long, as the latest idea is that the

36th Division moves South to form part of the new 13th Corps,

to take over some line further S. On our way here yesterday

we passed the village where the 1st Inniskillings are, and saw

Doak. We do not relieve until 5 p.m. in the dark—rather a

nuisance. They seem an easier lot of Trenches to find one's way

about in, and about 250—500 yards from the Huns.

Thursday, Nov. 18th.

Post came in late last night. Six letters you. and parcel etc.

Friday, Nov. 19th— [Trench Line.]

Just a line to say I'm all right, and we all are after our first

night. Post goes at 10 a.m. Poor C. Shillington was wounded

and missing from a patrol last night. He is in the 8th R.I.R.,

attached with his Company to Dublin Fusiliers, next to us in the

line. Trenches very sticky and dirty; one is covered with mud.

No mail yesterday.

6 p.m. Been hard at it all day, with few moments to spare.

Got up at 5 a.m. and went round front line. Dark, misty, but no

rain, and not too cold. Very quiet night and day and no casualties.

Frank Lyon came to see me to-day here, He says, and should know,

we go out of Trenches on 23rd and join 13th Corps, now forming,

and take up line S. of this, he thinks. Adjt. and I sleep in this dug-out,

and five of us feed in it, and it is an office. Messages come in all day

and night, and one mayn't take one's clothes off. Men's dug-outs not

nearly so good as before. Want a lot of work on them. Have seen no

paper since last Saturday! Don't want any more potted meat yet.

We shall be on the move again next week.

[To Be CONTINUED.]