January 1924

JANUARY.

(EIGHTEENTH YEAR).

PRICE TWOPENCE.

Enter

into

Gates

with

Thanks

giving

And

into

his

Courts

with

Praise.

—Ps. c: 4.

SEAGOE CHURCH DOOR.

Seagoe Parish Magazine

S E R V I C E S .

H O L Y C OM M U N IO N

1st Sunday, after Morning Prayer ; 3rd Sunday at

8 a.m. and on the chief Festivtals

HOLY BAPTISM

1st Saturday of Month at 3 p.m, and during any

Service in the Parish Church, if notice is given:

Two Sponsors at least are required, and they

must be Confirmed members of the Church,

Churchings are held at each Baptism, Mothers

are expected to bring a thankoffering.

( See Book of Common Prayer).

M O RN IN G P R A Y E R .

Sundays and Chief Festivals at 11-30 a m

E V EN IN G P R A Y E R .

Sundays at 7 p.m.; Wednesdays at 8 p.m

CLASSES, &c.

A D U L T C L A S S E S .

Sundays at 10 a.m.

For Men—Seagoe School.

For Women—Anchor Cafe, Edenderry, and

Seagoe School.

Thursdays—Levaghery at 8 p m

S U N D A Y S CHOOL S .

10 a.m.—Edenderry Par. Hall&Seagoe School.

3 p .m.— Seagoe,Edenderry Par.Hall Levaghery

Hacknahay, Carne. 3-30 p.m —Drumgor.

Girls Friendly Society meets at Breagh Miss

Calvert's) on alternate Tuesdays at 7.

Seagoe Scouts in Seagoe School and in Edenderrv Parochial Hall,on Tuesdays at7-30.

Seagoe Girl Guides meet in Seagoe School on Saturday at 3.

Mothers Union, Edenderry lst Tuesday

DAY S C H O O L .

Seagoe, 9-30 a .m.—Prin .—Mr. S. Rennix.

MARRIAGES must be performed between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Licenses are issued by Very

Rev.- Dr. O'Loughlin, Rectory, Lurgan. Due nr tice (48 hours) must be given to the Rector of

intended weddings, FEES—By License—Labourers 5/-,

Tradesmen 10/-, Merchants and Farmers 15/-. Professional £1. By Banns 5/-.-. FUNERALS will be attended by the Clergy if proper notice be given,

SICK CASES should be notified to the Clergy without delay.

FEES FOR CERTIFICATÉS, BAPTISM, 3/7 ;Chi1dren 'Factory 1/-, Non-Parishioners. 2/-.

MARRIAGE, 3/7. BURIAL, 3/7. An extra search fee is chargeable in certain cases.

Copies of the Magazine can be had from Mr. James Vance, 23 Bridge St.

Edenderry, Portadown.

Portadown News Print.

PLEASE READ OUR ADVERTISEMENTS.

YE ANCHOR CAFE,

FIRST-CLASS RESTAURANT.

at the Bridge,

Five Minutes' Walk from Station.

Breakfasts, Luncheons & Teas. Hot Luncheons Daily from 12 to 3,

Prices Very Moderate.

Large Room for Football and Cycle Parties.

Separate Room for Weddings if Notice is given to the Manageress.

BIBLES, CHURCH HYMNALS and PRAYER BOOKS

IN SEVERAL BINDINGS—CHEAP.

Writing Pads and Envelopes, Cheap and Good.

Account Books, Exercise Books of all sorts—Good Value.

Purses, Pocket Books, Note Books.

Fountain Pens—Self-Filler for 1/-.

Large Assortment of Books, Magazines, Newspapers, &c., at

WAUGH'S, HIGH ST,

PORTADOWN

Messrs. HAMILTON & ROCK,

UP TO-DATE

Tailors and Outfitters,

Church Street, PORTADOWN.

The Leading House in the

District for STYLE, FIT

and FINISH.

Note the Address :

Church Street, PORTADOWN.

Please Attentatively Read This Notice.

WHY do you not join the Co-operative Society and

put your share of the profits in your own pocket

instead of in some other person's pocket ?

The question might be asked : What can I get at the Co-op.?

Everything a home requires. Groceries, the best of every

kind. Drapery, newest designs, best materials, nothing

shoddy sold. Boots and Shoes —The Best Co-operative

Production sold at prices to defy competition.

Call and examine the Goods and you will never regret

having accepted this invitation.

Note Address :

CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY, Ltd.,

Mandeville Street, PORTADOWN.

PLEASE PATRONISE

HOUSE FURNISHING.

HARDWARE,

CUTLERY.

JEWELLERY and STATIONERY.

Private Room for Selecting

Wedding Rings.

H. WALLACE,

HIGH STREET, PORTADOWN,

FUNERALS Completely FURNISHED

MONTGOMERY

(Successor to Anderson & Co.),

HIGH STREET,

PORTADOWN.

Offcial Undertaker to Local War Committee

Phone 99.

PLEASE PATRONISE OUR ADVERTISERS.

Office – Hall Door in Gateway

PLEASE READ OUR ADVERTISEMENTS.

Do you Know

That Tea is the dried leaf of a Shrub or Plant, and is grown in India, China, Java and Ceylon.

That be found in the writings of a merchant named Soliman about the year 850.

That the first Tea left China for Europe in the year 1595.

That Tea was first introduced into England in the year 1600, and cost ten guineas per pound.

That the consumption of Tea is now over nine pounds per head per annum.

That to get really good Tea it must be blended.

That through Blending Tea you get liquor, Body and Flavour.

That T. J. MONTGOMERY & SON have won in open competition over thirty prizes for

Tea Blending.

That THE TEA HOUSE has the largest retail sales of in Portadown

That you should never hope for the Best Tea— BUT GET IT FROM

T,J. Montgomery & Son

Cold medal Tea Blender,

The Tea House, Portadown.

PLEASE PATRONISE OUR ADVERTISERS.

PLEASE READ OUR ADVERTISEMENTS.

When You Want Anything to Wear,

GO to PAUL'S,

The Shop that Gives Satisfaction

with Every Purchase,

YOU might like to know the secret of our successful trading. It is—

To make customers so pleased with each purchase that they will

come again and again—To give them the Best in Quality, Style and

Value, coupled with such attention and good service as will make

PAUL'S the most pleasant shop to buy in.

At our large purchasing powers we are able to buy at absolutely rock-

bottom prices,and therefore,as we take only the smallest possible

profit, to sell cheaply ; giving opportunities for all to save money on the

Latest and most Fashionable Goods. Paul's Prices are Portadown's

Lowest ALWAYS.

OUR buyers visit the Fashion Centres every three or four weeks and

know just where to go for the smartest novelties, so that everything

you get here is as correct and up to the minute in Style as if you

bought in a London shop.

THEN we give you Honest, Dependable Quality that carries with it

the assurance of lasting satisfaction. Our selections are made

with great care. Anything that is likely to prove unserviceable in the

test of actual wear is rejected; for, whether you are a judge of

quality or not, we believe we have no right to sell you unsatisfactory

goods.

Wm Paul & Son.,

8 HIGH STREET,

Portadown's Favourite Shop.

PLEASE PATRONISE OUR ADVERTISERS.

Seagoe Parish Mgazine.

JANUARY, 1924.

WE wish our readers and Home and Abroad a Very Happy New year

Our New Cover.

With the beginning of the New Year 1924 we enter

on the Eighteenth Year of our existence as a Parish

Magazine. We are glad to note that even after so

many years there seems to be no slackening of interest

in the Magazine. It circulates as freely as ever,

and we are, constantly receiving letters from

Parishioners in distant parts of the earth saying how

much they appreciate the Magazine as a message

from the old Parish at home. We print on our

Cover this year the door of the Parish Church. The

door is wide open, as the door of the Parish Church

should be, but it is also a narrow door like the

"strait (narrow) gate" which, according to our

Lord's words, leads to Eternal Life.

In the shadowed interior we catch a glimpse of

the beautiful East windows

The Text printed

each side of the picture from Psalm c. 4 is very

appropriate " Enter into His gates with thanksgiving

and into His courts with praise."

There is a deep significance in the door of the

Parish Church. Through it we pass in to share in

our Common Worship. Since first in 1816 this door

was hung upon its hinges how many hundreds and

thousands have stepped across that threshold to

join with heart and voice in the Worship of

Almighty God. Through the Church Door we are

carried as little infants by loving Sponsors to be

admitted as members of Christ in Holy Baptism.

On the solemn day of cur Confirmation we pass

through the same door to be Confirmed afresh by

the gift of the Divine Spirit and to renew our Baptismal

vows. How many happy couples on their

Wedding day have passed through the same portals

and pledged their troth either to other in the House

of Prayer. And when the term of mortal life is

ended how many have been reverently borne

through the same door ere they were laid to rest in

the old graveyard under the shadow of the ruined

Walls of the Old Church. Such thoughts will no

doubt crowd upon the minds of those who see this

Picture of the old Church Door, and as they pass

through it in reverent silence to join in worship

With God's people they will value more than ever

before this entrance to their Spiritual Home.

The Sale of Work.

A great event in the Parish was the Sale of Work

Which took place in Edenderry Parochial Hall on

Friday, December 7th. It was an example of what.

Seagoe people can do when they take up a thing

with energy. The Sale was organised in the short

space of three weeks, and yet it realised a total sum

of £96, which, expenses were deducted,

amounted to some £87. Mrs Shillington, wife of

our popular M.P., Major Shillington, very kindly

opened the Sale in the unavoidable and regrettable

absence of Mrs. W. H. Atkinson, of Clarisford,

through illness. Major Shillington, in replying for

Mrs. Shillington, spoke of the importance of the

work carried on in the Parochial Hall. The Sale

was crowded, and before closing time came at 10

o'clock practically everything had been sold. We

thank very heartily all who so kindly helped at the

Sale, and it must be gratifying to them to know

that a sufficient sum has been raised. to put a substantial

iron paling and gates round the Hall. A

hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Shillington was proposed

by Mr. T. J. Montgomery, seconded by Mr.

D. Rock, J.P., and passed with acclamation.

The Christmas Services

The Services at Christmastide were hearty and

well attended. A pretty Christmas Anthem, "There

Were Shepherds," was sung on the Sunday before

Christmas, the solos being nicely sung by Miss

Montgomery and Mr David Murray.

Epiphany.

The Festival of the Epiphany falls this year on a

Sunday—January 6th. The collections both morning

and evening will be on behalf of Foreign Missions.

Epiphany is a great Missionary Festival when we

recall to mind Him who come into this world "to be

a Light to lighten the Gentiles."

The Sustentation Fund,

The Parish Accounts for 1923 closed on December

31st, and any sums not paid in by that date must

go into next year's accounts. Punctuality in payment

is very necessary If our obligations are to

met. Some of those who at the beginning of 1923

agreed to take the Weekly Envelopes have not yet

have joined the W.F.O. and have faithfully handed

in their Envelopes each week. It is on such as these

that the Parish really depends for its existence. We

hope all have got their Sequi " Envelopes for time

New Year. They will find. them very convenient.

The Report for 1922 is now printed and no doubt is

by this time in the hands of the Parishioners. It

is the largest and fullest Report ever issued in the

Parish. If any of thy Parishioners notice any errors

wt-ll they kindly Inform Mr. Hugh Stoops, our Hon

Treasurer, so that a correction may be made in our

next Report, which will be issued at Easter.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

Seagoe at Sea.

[The following letter written by an emigrant from

Seagoe describes well what t,he voyage across the

Atlantic is like. It was written just a year ago by

Mr. Nicholas England on his return voyage to the

States] :

s.s Regina,

Somewhere on the Atlantic.

Dear Mother, Father, and All,—

We got on board the above ship on Saturday about

11.30 a m. We had a lot of messing about, signing

on, getting a berth, etc., then dinner was served at

12.30. We had a row with the Chief Steward about

not all being able to get seated at the same table,

but that is alright now. We strolled about the deck

during the afternoon ; we got our baggage fixed up

before tea. We have got a six berth cabin, so we

have lots of room. Tea was served at 4.45 p.m., and

we set sail at 6 p.m Nice and calm on Saturday

night ; all slept well. Sunday morn arrived a little

hit rough, lots of people sick ; Edie and family were

sick.

Church Service at 11 a.m.

Jack took sick, he got better very soon. It got

very rough on Sunday night. Monday morn' arrived,

Edie and Emily could not go for breakfast ; all

of us a little sick. Now it has got very rough, as

we are at the Devil's Hole, that"s where the Irish

Sea meets the Atlantic. We all lay down for an

hour or so ; all up for dinner ; thank goodness all

well. Still rough, but it did not worry us ; terrible

Jot sick. Monday night we enjoyed a concert on

board, went to bed, all slept well. Tuesday morn'

arrives, all up for breakfast in the best of health.

Afterwards all up on deck, sea lovely and calm this

morning, just like a lake . Dinner at 11.45, all hungry

for it. Another stroll on deck, games, etc., tea

at 4.45 p.m. Saw two whales this evening. Supper

over, dancing now to bedtime ; retired to bed.

Wednesday morn arrives, all slept well and

Eager for Breakfast.

Edie and children up for medical exam. Tom has

to be vaccinated after tea. Dinner over, up on top

deck, splendid weather, not a cloud to be seen—sea

just like glass Coming up to 3 p.m. getting cold.

Now great excitement on board—icebergs sighted

We passed two very large ones about 4 p.m., one

quite close, I should say about 500 yards off us.

Lovely sight, dazzling white in the sunshine. Tea

over got Tom's arm fixed up. Now we can see icebergs

all around us, dozens of them. Supper time

arrives, everybody more or less nervous to-night ;

on deck lovely moonlight—only in this part North

Atlantic one can see such a moon. Ten o'clock,

speed reduced to crawling pace, midnight full speed

again. All slept well except Edie, she was very nervous,

can't fault her with so much ice about. Thursday

morn, all well. Weather nice still, but cold.

Medical exam for men this morning ; a little fog

appearing, increases before dinner- After dinner ship

stopped, we are just oti Newfoundland, almost

through the great Bank of Newfoundland, and Edie

worried about fog Tea time arrives, ship still stopped.

After tea a concert, some very good talent. 8

p.m. ship started again, going slowly. Friday morn

arrives, all well. No matter where you look this

morn nothing but ice —small stuff. Ship pushing

through very slow ; terrible cold, could wear

All the Blankets on the Boat.

Awful cold, we never saw as much ice before

Dinner over, ship stopped just outside the Gulf of St.

Lawrence. Two ship in front of us trying to get

through. We are waiting to see if they can. If they

can't we "ill go hack to Halifax. Ship moving on

slowly ; they are collecting the, Post, so shall have

to ring off shall write as soon as we land. You

don't want to worry about us, as we are alright

Edie and the children going in sending their love to

all. We have a great Skipper on board, he is a very

careful man, taking no risks. I don't blame him

either. Hoping this finds you all well.---Yours,

NICKIE.

P.S.—I have every thing that took place here in this

letter up to Friday 3 p.m.

Sunday School Socials,

This is the month for the Sunday School Socials.

Will the Superintendents please make arrangements—

The following dates are suggested—

HACKNAHAY—Monday, January 21st.

DRUMGOR—Thursday, January 24th.

CARNE—Tuesday, January 29th.

LEVAGHERY—Thursday, January 31st.

SEAGOE—Monday, February 4th.

EDENDERRY—Friday, February 8th.

The hour will be 7.30 p.m. in each School, unless

otherwise announced.

Parish Register for December.

Baptisms.

Currie—December 1st, 1923, Thomas Henry, son of William Henry and Elizabeth Anne Currie.

of Ballymacrandle. Sponsors—Jane Sturgeon, Elizabeth Anne Cuprie.

M'Kibben—December 1st, 1923, Gladys, daughter of Hugh and Anne Eliza M'Kibben, of

Edenderry. Sponsors —Maria Magee, Anne Eliza M'Kibben.

Marriage.

Roney and M'Crory—December 26th, 1923, Samuel Roney, of Edenderry, to Christina M'Crory.

of Edenderry.

Burials.

6th, Sarah Jane Moffeii, of Drumnagoon, aged 69 years.

Campbell—December 11th, Martha Campbell, Of Balteagh aged 70 years.

Liggett—January 2nd, John Joseph Liggett, of Edenderry, aged 17 months.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

ITEMS.

Mr. William Blacker, eldest son of Colonel

Blacker, has got a Commission in the Artillery.

A new book, price 2s, has just been published by

Mr. Francis J. Bigger, our great Ulster Antiquarian

It is entitled " Moyntiaghisms," which is we believe

ea new word coined to describe the old and homely

words in use in the Parishes of Seagoe and Ardmore.

A sketch of Old Seagoe Church, which appeared

on our cover some years back, forms a

frontispiece for the book. The List of words was

compiled some 70 years ago by Mr. Wm. Lutton, a

well-known resident in this Parish.

An interesting Jubilee is near at hand. Mr.

Thomas Henry Wilson, our esteemed organist, will

this year complete his fiftieth year as organist of

Seagoe Church. He was appointed to the post in

February, 1874. In our next issue we hope to make

fuller reference to his remarkable record of faithful service.

Mr. Isaac Clayton, of Century St., has joined the

Church Army and gone for Training to the C.A.

Headquarters in London.

On Tuesday. December 18th, the children of Seagoe

N.S. had a pleasant afternoon. Many prizes were

awarded, oranges were distributed, and an interesting

musical programme was given by the children.

Our special thanks are due to some kind

friends who provided the Prizes and the Fruit.

Most of our Sunday School Teachers have secured

copies of the new Notes for Teachers, 2s each. They

find them very helpful.

The Rev. P. Shirley, M.A., Rector of St. James.

Belfast, and late Chaplain to the Forces, will (I). V. i

preach in Seagoe Church on Sunday evening,

January 20th.

The proceeds of the Lecture on ' 'Ghosts" amounted

to £6 8s Od. The nett amount remaining after deduction of expenses was £4 3s Od

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

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

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30th.

Another foggy frosty morning—cold. White frost,

and raw.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1st.

Heavy strafe yesterday afternoon by our artillery and T.M.’s. Still the same kind of weather, foggy, decidedly thick today and a little more frost. Mac sick today. We had 46 admitted to hospital last month against 70, 80 and 90 of other three Battalions. We get nine leaves (men) every five days this month.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2nd.

Clearer this a.m., but frost and cold. A successful little enterprise early this a.m. Party of 12 and two officers, after an enemy’s wiring party had been located by a patrol, went out, got within 40 yards, opened fire with Lewis Gun, bombs, etc., and outed all except one, returning without casualties. The party of the enemy were wiring behind their own front wire and consequently no wounded prisoner could be brought in. Ricardo and Bull now got Brigades. I am glad. I’m the only one of the Old Guard left now. Our show early this morning was quite good.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3rd.

Fine, but frost seems going. Quiet night.

1917.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5th. English Farm. Bde. H.Q

On arrival this side we found Gen. Nugent’s own car awaiting us, and so did the journey most comfortably, and got here at 6.00 p.m. after a lunch at Calais—we disembarked there for reasons I cannot explain. Came straight to Bde. H.Q. Nugent went home for 14 days today, and Griffith is commanding Div. Lucky I postponed my journey, as there was no car available yesterday. A lovely crossing and no crowd. Fergie came down after dinner. Shill. in a rest camp, but is much better. Bde. H.Q. move to B_____ [ Bailleul] on Sunday to be more central, as two Bns. are near there. G. doesn’t go till 20th, so I suppose I shall command Bde. till Feb 20th. Quite comfy here, two rooms in a hut and a fire. Billets in B­­­_____ [ Bailleul].

SATURDAY, JANUARY 6th.

Went over to see Bn. this a.m., stayed to lunch. They have had a bad time. Fergie, of course, has been splendid. Hugh O’Neill has gone as Court Martial Officer to 1st Army, which is commanded by the Gunner we thought ( Horne). Have got a car for the move tomorrow; Holt has been away at Army School for a week. He lunches with us at Club – B_____ [ Bailleul] tomorrow. The Xmas dinner came to £73. Fergie written quite a good account to local press. He has had a hard time. The Bn. moves over to near B_____ [ Bailleul] this day week. Billets in B_____ [ Bailleul] will be a change of life, but I am sorry to leave this, which is most comfortable.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 7th.

Got a car and went round 16th [ Royal Irish Rifles ] and 13th [ Royal Irish Rifles ], Div. H.Q. and Shill. Found latter much better, hope he will be back with Bn. by end of week. Am writing from our new H.Q. at B_____ [ Bailleul]. Lunched at officers’ club, quite good. My room here above office, quite nice. Think we shall be quite comfortable. The area occupied by the two Bns. here is quite good. Comfortable billets and nice air. 9th [ Royal Irish Fusiliers ] comes here on 13th (Saturday.)

MONDAY, JANUARY 8th.

A wet night, fair morning, has turned into a wet p.m. Wind makes a fire in my bedroom somewhat a smoky affair, so I’ve returned to the mess, which is a room behind a grocer’s shop; really not bad, and warm and lighted with incandescent [ lamps]. Duke and I rode over and saw 9th [ Royal Irish Fusiliers ] and 12th [ Royal Irish Rifles ], and various Bde. tocks. Fergy very chirpy. Khaki pony slipped and fell on Reid’s leg, bruising his ankle; not bad. Very comfy bed. We dined at club; good food, but noisy and heated atmosphere. Was glad to get away. Kerr-Smiley, who is now A.D.C. to Hamilton-Gordon, runs the club. Milne’s name has gone in for a commission. I hear Humphreys is G.O.C., R.A., but is at present away on leave. Duke and I attended a lecture on Artillery, given by one Pringle, a Lt.-Col. R.A. Didn’t know him. We were thinking of going to 2nd Army School for a lecture tonight, and dining at H.Q., but we couldn’t get a car; rather glad as it turned so wet. Shall go out in the morn and see 11th and 13th [ Royal Irish Rifles ]. The Bde. is taking Godson as Bde. Intelligence Officer; rather a loss, but I can’t stand in the way. Two new officers joined last night; I didn’t see them.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9th.

I read the ‘Times’ of yesterday, in the evening, about 9.00 p.m. Pretty good. Rode out with Duke at 9.30 a.m. and didn’t get back till 1.15, then out again at 3.00 p.m. till 5.00 p.m.; hodding round units and seeing their billets, and what they are at. Very healthy and nice. Saw Geo. Bruce this p.m. Shall probably ride out to see 9th tomorrow, after visiting the Bombing School. They are anxious to take Lutton in the signal section, for which he is eminently suited, but he can only go as a Lieut., so don’t know if he’ll agree. Godson comes as [ 108th] Bde. Intelligence Officer. Very sorry to lose him. There is a good deal more artillery activity on the Bosche side now, a constant strafe going on. The Div. on our left was raided Sunday morning, after a heavy bombardment, which overflowed into our left, and damaged the line a bit.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10th.

Heavy rain most nights since I returned, but the days have not been bad, only showers. It was not gas in young Crymble’s case, only a medical way of expressing a kind of gangrene. Went over to the 9th today. Met Fergie en route. Lutton is going to the signal section with a view to becoming Bde. Signal Officer, at his own request. He feels that it is his job and he is right. I am sorry we shall lose him from the Battalion. It gives us a vacancy for Captain, so it will promote Fergie.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11th.

Such an active day, sleety and showery. Rode out with Duke at 9.30 a.m. Saw 11th [ Royal Irish Rifles ] and M.G. Coy., and T.M. Bty. [ Trench Mortar Battery ], then on to Div. H.Q. Saw Place, who was very nice, then to Q. Branch, and saw about some tocks with Green; back by 1.30 p.m., office till 3.00 p.m., then off to Mont Noir and had a chat with Shillington. Fergie rolled up at 5.00 p.m. and we have been talking and settling tocks ever since. Am thoroughly enjoying all this riding about, but shall miss Duke greatly, he’s such a nice fellow. He goes on his 30 days on Sunday.

FRIDAY JANUARY 12th.

Went up in a car this morning to see some men of ours, and the 13th, and met Peacock and Shuter. P. had been down to see Ricardo and found him very optimistic. Had seen his Corps Commander, who had been with Haig previous day. Internal conditions of Germany very grave, actual starvation in some country parts very near. All out here seem sanguine the war will end this year. Such a poisonous day; skelping showers and very cold. Comyn came with us, so we had a covered car, which was pleasant. Looked in on 9th, saw Fergie and young Shill, both blooming. Do hope it may be fine for the shift tomorrow. Allen is anxious to go to instruct at Cadet School. Names have been called for. Shall probably let him go. Church Army are putting up a hut at R.L. [ Red Lodge ], which will be a boon. Peacock, who took over our Bn. H.Q. in the line, said a Bosche shell got our cookhouse and smashed it up, and their Xmas turkey was blown to smithereens. No one hurt.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13th.

Such a downpour. Wretched for the four Battalions who are changing areas. I went out about a couple of miles and saw all four pass. I thought the 9th looked far the best. Yes, Repington’s article on the work of the Q.M.G.’s Dept. will be illuminating to the ordinary public, I’m sure. He is, of course, an extremely able fellow. Saw Padre today, on the march. Such a treasure, stumping along with the men in the rain. Ricardo has taken Shuter’s place as Brig’r. to 109th; simply splendid. I’m so glad. It has now turned to heavy snow!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 14th.

A foggy day, cold and raw, after a frost; roads not passable till mid-day. Went out to see 9th in p.m., just back. Seem quite comfortable. Padre away taking services. The Gosford cigarettes did come, and were acknowledged. I will write a note. Went round the cemetery with Duke in the morning; over 4,000 graves—British. Saw Lyness’s and Crymble’s, also Corbally’s, Capt R.F.A. Duke goes on leave tomorrow, am sorry. Young Allen of 12th came in to dinner last night; he is Bde. Grenade Officer; a very nice boy and capable. He got an M.C.

(To be continued )