August - September 1921

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

AUGUST—SEPTEMBER, 1921,

New Curate of Seagoe.

The Rev. Albert O. Draper, B.A., T.C.D., has been

appointed Curate of Seagoe. Mr Draper has held the

curacy of St. Luke's, Belfast, for the past three years, and

before coming to Belfast held Curacies in Dublin and in

the County Wicklow. He has had a wide and varied

experience of Parish work, and will come to Seagoe well

prepared and equipped for the. strenuous work which

awaits him in this extensive and populous Parish. Mr.

Draper has been fortunate in securing Carne House as a

residence, and we have to. thank Mr. Robb for kindly

letting it to him. It seemed when Seagoe Villa ceased

to be available .as if the incoming Curate might find great

difficulty in securing a house in the Parish, but we are

glad that that difficulty no longer confronts us. Mr.

Draper hopes to begin his work in Seagoe on October 1st,

and we are confident that he will. receive that warm-

hearted welcome which the Curates of Seagoe have always

received. We will also extend a hearty welcome to Mrs.

Draper on her coming to reside in the Parish. It is now

almost fifty years since there has been a married: Curate

the Parish. We hope that Mr. and Mrs. Draper will

have a very happy time in Seagoe Parish,

Seagoe War Memorial,

A very finely finished Photograph of the Seagoe War

Memorial Pillars and Gates can be had at Mr. Kyle's,

16 Bridge Street, Price 3s each, or 3s 6d by post. The

names on the Pillars are quite clear in the Photograph.

The Photographs were specially taken by Mr Moffett, of

Bridge Street.

A Visit to France

The Rector during his recent holiday visited parts of

France and Flanders in the War area. The French peasantry

are rapidly transforming the shell torn battle

ground into corn producing fields, and have this year

reaped an abundant harvest. but many of the sites still

bear sad evidence of the awful conflict. The British

Military Cemeteries are beautifully kept, and in some

places the new headstones have replaced the wooden

cross. Some 870 British gardeners dressed in Khaki, and

forming a semi-military Unit, are caring the graves. They

have regular permanent centres as at Albert, and go out

each week with tents camping near the outlying Cemeteries.

The very hot summer has burnt up the carefully

laid sods of grass, and many of the flowers planted on

the graves have died, but they will be replaced. The

Rector visited the grave of Norman Holmes at Duisans

Military Cemetery (Plot 5, Row F. grave 26), 8 kilometres

from Arras. grave is very neat and the Cemetery

beautifully situated. At the little Military Cemetery

at Hamel, where many of our 9th Battalion lie, about 15

Military gardeners were at work when the Rector visited

it. They were levelling, sodding,and planting it. Their

two tents were pitched just beside it. In the field beside

the Graveyard, which last year Was Pitted with shell

holes, there is this year crop of oats growing. The

Cemetery in the Ravine has much increased in size since

last year owing to the interment of bodies brought in from

outlying places. Major Atkinson's grave (Plot 2, Row

A, grave 5) is there, and many others of those well known

in our midst. This Cemetery is known as the Ancre

British Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel. The Rector also

visited the grave of Private John Matthews (Plot 1, Row

N, grave 10) at Wimereux Communal Cemetery near

Boulogne. Flowers were growing there in abundance on all

the graves. The Church Army has made very complete

arrangements for those visiting the graves of relatives.

The cost of such a visit to the Sornme from Portadown

would be about £7.

The Memorial to the Ulster Division—a replica of

Helen's Tower—is now being erected on Thiepval Hill in

a very conspicuous position. It is about half built at present,

and when completed will form a very striking memorial.

Seagoe Parish Scouts.

The Scouts are booming. The Tuesday night gatherings

in Seagoe and Edenderry are well attended, and great

interest is shown by the boys in their work. They are

smart and efficient, and the Scoutmasters are very keen,

The Edenderry Scouts, under their Scoutmaster, Mr.

Howard Stevenson, camped out for a weekend in a field

of Mr. J. G. Gracey's, at Drumgor, last month. The

winter work will soon be coming on, and we look

forward to many pleasant meetings during the long dark

nights of winter.

The Girl Guides.

The Girl Guides have also increased in number, and

are rapidly becoming a most useful agency in our Parish

life. A Company of Brownies has been formed among

the Junior girls.

The Cubs.

The Cubs are now in full swing, and the smaller boys

are learning some new accomplishment every week. The

Packs meet in Seagoe and Edenderry. The Cub on joining

makes the following promise :—"I promise to do my

best to be loyal to God and the King and the Law of the

Wolf Club Pack, and to do a good turn to somebody every

day." The Cub Motto is "Do your best."

Seagoe Day SchooL

A handsome Banner for Competition now hangs in the

School. It is awarded to the section of the School, Senior,

Junior, or Infant, which has the best attendance for the

week. Juniors won it the first week, but the Infants

got possession of it last week, and they intend

hold on to it for some time, if they can.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

Harvest Thanksgiving Services.

These Services will be held in Seagoe Parish Church

on Thursday, October 6th, and on Sunday, October 9th.

Further particulars regarding the Services will be announeed

later on.

Harvest Services will be held in Hacknahay School on

Sunday, September 25th, at 3.30, and on Monday, 26th,

at 8.

The Annual Report.

Owing to the high cost of Printing, the Report this

year is reduced to a single sheet, and contains only the

names of subscribers to the Sustentation Fund, but it is

very clearly printed and can be studied at a glance. The

Total sum subscribed to the Sustentation Fund up to

December 31st, 1920, was £191 18s 6d, contributed by 386

subscribers. If any subscribers have not yet received a

copy of the Report they should apply to the Hon. Treas.,

Mr. James Sands, Killicomaine Road, Portadown, and

any errors or mistakes, if such there be, should also be

notified to the Hon. Treasurer. Mr. Sands is to be congratulated

on the clearness and accuracy of the Report.

The Collection for the Choir Fund is now being made,

and in a short time our Collectors will be going their

rounds through the Parish for the Sustentation Fund.

Those who have joined the Weekly Envelope Fund will

not, of course, be asked to subscribe.

Parochial expenses are rapidly increasing. The Income

of the Curates of Seagoe will in future be £250 at least,

and if this amount is to be met the subscribers to the

Sustentation Fund must increase their subscriptions. The

Glebe Purchase Fund only received au addition of £16

18s 6d last year. The Poor Rate alone payable on the

Rectory this year amounts to £28 13s 8d. The total

charges on the Rectory this year amount to over £100.

Accounts for 1920

(These Accounts usually appear in the Report. They

will be continued in our next issue.)

Special Collections—.Jan. 25th, Missions, £ 3 18s 5d ;

Feb. 12th, Organ Recital, £2 15s Od ; Feb. 22, Diocesan

Temperance Society, £1 Os Od ; March 28th, Roll of Honour,

£2 0s Od; Holy Week Services, £9 13s Od; Easter

Day, April 4th, S. Schools, £7 9s lOd ; April 18th, Bible

Society, £3 Is 9d May 23rd, Whitsunday, Bd. of Ed.,

£3 3s Od ; Julv 4th, Prot. O. Society, £6 12s 3d; July

11th, Enniskillen Fund, £9 15s 9d; Sept. 19th, Poor

Parishes Fund, £3 10s 0d.; October 7th, Missions—H arvest,

£6 6s 6d ; Dec. 25th (Christmas), Poor Fund, £2

12s Od. These amounts have bean paid into their respective

Societies and Funds.

POOR FUND.

Cr.—Balance, £2 5s 2d ; H. C. Offerings, £3 15s lid ;

Christmas Offerings, 1920, £2 12s Od. ; Blacker Bequest,

1920, £1 15s 0d; Balance, £1 4s 5 d—£11 12s 6d.

D r.—Monthly Payments, £3 0s Od ; Blankets, Paul &

Son, £3 0s Od ; Occasional Payments, £3 7s 6d ; Special

Gifts, £2. 5s 0d.—£11 12s 6d.

CARNE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

D. W. Murray, Hon. Treas.

To Balance forward, £4 5s 4d, ; Harvest T. Service,

1928, £1 10s Od; Monthly Col. from Dec. 1919 to Dec.

1920,’ £1 4s 6d.—£6 19s lOd. By Caretaker, £0 15s Od ;

Oil and Coal, £0 10s Od ; Sunday S Social, £1 7s 6d ;

Expenses, £0 7s 6d ; Balance in hands, £3 19s 10d —

£6 19s lOd.

Par ish Register—Ju ly & August,

1921.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church

on July 2nd, 1921 ;

Ellis—Violet Maud, daughter of Samuel and Lily Ellis,

of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Margaret Ellis, Florence Rowland.

Dickson—Alice, daughter of John and Mary Edith Dickson,

of Lisniskey.

Sponsors—Sarah Hara, Mary E dith Dickson.

Liggett—Isaac, son of Isaac and Joanna Liggett, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Matilda Kane, Susan Liggett.

Best—Thomas James, son of James and Annie Best, of

Drumnacanvey.

Sponsors—Elizabeth M'Knight, Annie Best.

BAPTIZED ON AUGUST 6th, 1921.

Milligan—Thomas James, son of Isaac and Elizabeth

Milligan, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Mary Milligan, Elizabeth Milligan.

Caddell—William Albert, son of Albert and Mary Caddell,

of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—Caroline Moore, Mary Caddell.

Liggett—Mabel, daughter of John Joseph and Julia

Liggett, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Hargot Anne Webb, Julia Liggett.

Gracey—Pearl, daughter of Joseph and Martha Gracey

of Edenderry.

Sponsors—.Isabella Gracey, Martha Gracey.

Robinson—Richard Wilson, son of Thomas George and

Sarah Elizabeth Robinson, of Drumnagoon, having

been Privately Baptized on May 7th, 1921,

was Received into the Congregation on August

6th, 1921.

Sponsors—Margaret Anne Wilson, Jane Eliza Wilson.

Burials .

Armstrong—July 2nd, Everett Best Armstrong, of Ballyhannon,

aged I ¾ years.

Lanrison,—August 2nd, Jane Laurison, of Breagh, aged

86 years.

Flavelle—July 3rd., John Henry Flavelle, of Knock. (Interred

in Drumcree Churchyard.)

Lrskine—August 9th, James Erskine, of Edenderry, aged 78.

Dickson—August 25tn, John Dickson, of Lisniskey, aged 33 years.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

ITEMS

We heartily congratulate Mr. George Gracey, Superintendent

of Drumgor Sunday School, on his recent marriage,

and offer him and Mrs. Gracey all good wishes.

Miss Esther N. Hewitt writes from 3409 Frankford

Ave., Philadelphia, U.S.A.—We had a happy time in

Seagoe last October. Our return voyage lasted 12 days,

with rough weather. 1 am so glad I had the pleasure of

visiting the old Church (Seagoe) where my father went

to as a boy. 1 am sending you one of our "Church

Messengers." We arrange our work 2 or 3 months ahead

of time. Our clergyman is a young man, and we have

a big debt, so he has tried the pledge system—each

member giving each week from 10 cents. to a dollar, and

everyone has agreed, so 1 think it will be a great success.

Times are bad, but we are all willing to do our share.

We have about 600 Communicants. Last January we had

a Confirmation Class of 40 directed by Bishop Garland, of

Pennsylvania, and in September there will be another

Class started. As a rule we have from 40 to 50 for

Confirmation. Father is Janitor of our Church, which takes

up a great deal of his time.

[Miss Hewitt is a grand-daughter of the late Mr. Hall

Hewitt, of Tamnificarbet. She and her father were on a

visit to Carbet last year, and showed much interest in

Seagoe Cnurch.]

During the absence of the Rector the Sunday duty in

the Parish Church was taken by the Rev. F. B. Aldwell,

LL.D., Rector of Aghalee, and the Rev. F. W. Wilkinson,

Rector of Kircubbin. The Weekday duty was taken by

the Rev. A. J. Murray.

A great variety of useful things are advertised in our

Advertisement Columns. Have you read them?

Orphan Cards have been issued to Collectors

We hope to double the amounts we raised last year.

Collectors please do your best.

Specially sad was the death of Baby Armstrong, who,

with his mother (now in weak health) had only arrived

in Ballyhannon from the United States a week before.

We regret to record the death of John Dickson, of

Lisniskey, who passed away after a brief illness, leaving

a widow and 5 very young children quite unprovided fore

James Erskine, of Railway Street, whose death also

appears in this issue, was very well known in the Parish,

and had for many years worked on the G.N.R. His

father had been for long a faithful employee of Archdeacon

Saurin at Seagoe.

A strange silence reigned in Seagoe on Tuesday, August

30th, when owing to the sudden strike no trains ran until

8 p.m.

A char-a-banc excursion recently ran from Portadown

to Portrush and back for 16s per head.

THE NINTH" IN FRANCE.

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

(Continued from June-July Magazine.)

Sunday, Feb. 20th, 1916.—The mining expert came

early, but is at present unable to make any definite

statement. Noises there are, but he can't determine

what. He is going to stay till he can say definitely. We

had another man, Patterson, from Cornascriebe, near

Portadown, slightly wounded yesterday evening. A spent

bullet just penetrated his arm, and was cut out by Berry.

The only possible footwear for the Trenches in their

present state is the Government long gum boot, which

comes up to the thigh. I find it very tiring to walk in,

but when you come on

Water Over Your Knees,

and liquid mud of like depth, no other boots are possible.

trust now the worst of the weather may be over. Oh !

I am so dirty ; hands grimy, and feet and body dirty.

Somehow I felt it more to-day in this beautiful sunlight.

An awful amount of work there is to be done to keep

existing Trenches in order, and then a lot of new

necessary work to be undertaken, and few men to do it. Not

a man of the 2 Coys in front line can be taken from

the line. It takes 80 men every night to bring in the

rations from the Dump miles away, from which it has

to be carried with the greatest difficulty. I can raise 60

men for work at night. is our main communication Trench,

1 ½ miles long, which has to be cleaned (in

parts 2ft. deep in solid mud and liquid slush), and each

side of it rivetted to prevent it falling in. It would take

500 men a fortnight to do it, and the earth removed from

the top where it has been piled up from bottom when

cleaning, and keeps tumbling in again. This can only

be done at night. Then there is another communication

Trench of a mile, to the cookers, up which all the men's

food is carried for every meal. This keeps falling in,

and being on low ground is full of water. The cookers

themselves are in a horrible place, liquid mud and

impossible to drain, or keep clean. 9 a.m.—A

quiet night. Went my rounds this morning. Still water

in places. It's cold in the cellar in the daytime We

can't have fire owing to the smoke, but 1 daresay

healthier than a heated atmosphere. The transport are

about 2 miles from M. at the place we go to for our

rest, When we go out of the line on Wednesday. All

ranks will get steel helmets in time. We have been

lucky again in the weather this time, though some

fearful days. A quiet day. Our Heavies active and hurling

big stuff over us, making a fearful noise. The Trenches

are improving. Every one has worked hard on them,

but water still in many of them. The mining expert,

after earnest investigation, decides against the theory of

the caves being mined and the men have returned to

them. 2 men slightly wounded are our casualties, so far,

this time in. We have begun making a new H. Q. down

here, big dug-out with

Wonderful Steel Arched Roof Called an Elephant.

We have got 2 for H.Q. Neither Bull or I like the

cellar, it could be made quite impossible any time. The

men's food arrives hot, in spite of being carried 1 ½ miles

up Trenches, many of them 1 ft. in water. Tuesday, Feb.

22nd.—Another lovely day after a sharp frost. Very

dark night up to 10 p.m., and threatening snow ; very

hard to get on with work owing to darkness. Got, a

certain amount done and some bits of the elephant up.

Went, round from 5.30—7.30. Again a quiet night.

9.30 p.m.—We had a sad show this evening. A Patrol

Of 2 Officers (Hollywood and latter has only

just joined a month from H. A.C.—2 Sergts. and 4 men

went out to investigate what the Huns were doing about

40 yards from our advanced post. While investigating

they wore 'fired at (rifle grenades). Poor Wood was

killed and a Pte. Ford, Hollywood and 2 Ptes. wounded,

not severely. They behaved extremely well, and H stayed

out with the bodies until relief came out and brought

them in. Otherwise it, has been a quiet day. It snowed

a bit off and on to-day, but didn't lie. Freezing again

to-night. Wednesday, Feb. 23rd.—Frost and fine so far,

looks snow. Quiet night. We shall bury Wood

and Ford this p.m. Padre being away I shall read the

burial service. I believe the 69th Res. Regt. Prussians

are opposite to us. Thursday, Feb. 24th—(“ Engelbelmer”)

—Relief very late and I didn't get away from Trench

line till 11 p.m. and walked over here about 3 miles.

Got here about 12 midnight, 3 inches snow and a little

frost made travelling rather difficult, and kits didn't

- come in till 1 a.m. I went straight to my billet and

went to bed and managed to keep warm with some

difficulty. Water frozen in here, and in Perrier bottle !

Bright and clear and frosty to-day. Of course, another

change is on. We don't go back into the same line—

Div. is contracting its front. I believe 109th relieve 107th

and we go in close support, 107 going back in Reserve.

It, means a move from here into villages round'—always

changes! just as we Were getting to know that bit of

line. The sharpest frost we have had the whole winter.

We were lucky to be out of the line last night. We

buried Wood and Ford at 2 p.m. yesterday, in a snowstorm.

I read parts of the Burial Service. Quite

nice bright little cemetery. They had a salute of guns

which were firing all the time. The 107th have been:

doing very well and are very good now. Of course, ,

Fergie was awaiting us when we came in last night, at

entrance of village, to conduct us to our billets, and he

told us a move was on for Saturday! Possibly; and I

must, say I thought probably Ypres! But it's not here„

and it's now postponed 2 or 3 days, probably Monday.

It's a great relief to be able to walk about without keeping

An Ear Cocked for the Whistle of a Shell

or the rattle of a M.iG. I intend to do some late mornings

in bed. Breakfast 9 a.m.—after 6 days rising at

5.30 a.m. Found the pony well and Reid very helpful

on arrival. I shall bring him home next time I get leave.

Rather cold, but feeling very well, and have escaped the

cold which everyone has got. Bitterly cold again tonight.

They have altered the move again, and now we

are to go back into the line again as before, on Tuesday.

They'll probably alter it again ; now they've stopped all

leave, whatever that may mean. We bathed about 250

men today and gave them clean clothes. Friday, Feb.

25th.—Snow falling all day, and is getting deep. A

miserable day. Glad we are not in the line. Such a day!

Snowing all day and getting deep. I don't know what

will happen if it goes on. Delay in supplies and every—

thing, and when the thaw comes ! We are busy sweeping

roads, etc.

The Huns are Making a Push at Verdun,

with a certain amount of success, but it's bad weather to

attack. A Course for C.O. 's at 111 Army School begins on

Sunday, and I may have to go, only 4 days, and I. don't.

want to in the least. Am revelling in 9 a.m. breakfast„.

rather lazy! Draft arrived to-night at 7 p.m., after

travelling since Tuesday, and finishing up with a 6 mile

march in a snowstorm. Saturday, Feb. 26th—A better

day, and a thaw on, though not decided. The weather

having been so severe, the Gen. has decided to relieve

after 4 days, and we go into the line again tomorrow

(Sunday). Rather a blow cutting our rest by 2 days.

However, we are only to be in 4 days,but they will be

bad ones if the thaw comes. Berry has got the 'flu, and

Scott is doing, Medico. Have got all bathed and changed

into fresh clothes, and have a bath myself this evening.

The relief from here is more complicated as it's further

and means a late business again. The 50 off leave will

arrive at railhead) to-night about 10 p.m., just in time to

go into the Trenches. Am feeling very well.. Poor

Anderson has gone home very ill—pneumonia, and Stuart

Wortly has the Corps temporarily. Many moves are on.

Hung up for the moment on account of the snow. I

dine with Griffith to-night. The new Officers have not

materialised yet; one has been struck off sick at home,

and the others I can get no word of. Sunday, Feb. 27th,

10.30 p.m. am to go to Course at Div.

School after all. Was told at 9 a.m. to-day, and the car

to take me is on its way. We got in here by motor

'bus at 7 p.m. after a 4 hours' cold drive. Ross Smyth

came down with me. I think it promises to be very

interesting.

(To be continued.)