June 1915

Seagoe Parish Magazine

JUNE, 1915.

AT THE FRONT!

The following is an Alphabetical List of the Names of Men from Seagoe

Parish who are at present Fighting at the Front, or who have taken part in

the fighting line at some time or other since the War began

Henry Adair, 1st Batt. R.I.F.

William Henry Armstrong, 1st Batt. R.I F. , killed in the trenches, Friday, March 12th, 1915.

John Brown, R I.F., injured.

Robert Brown R.I.F., severely wounded.

William Jas. Brown, R.G.A., wounded.

Robert Callison, Irish Guards, wounded.

Thomas Cordner, R.I.F., killed in action November 9th, 1914.

Nathaniel Dawkins, Lance Corporal, Irish Guards and Leinster Regiment.

Isaac Donaldson, A.S.C., wounded.

Thomas Flannigan, Canadians.

George Fox, R.I.F.. wounded.

Thomas Freeburn, R.I.F.

Samuel Gillespie, R.I.F.

John Girvan, R.I.F.

James Gracey, R.I.F., died of wounds at Hazebruck, on April 14th, 1914.

Joseph Gracey, R.I.P.

Samuel Gracey, Canadians.

Robert Hora, A.S.C.

Thomas Hara, R.F.A.

Harry Kane, H.M.S. Rinaldo, wounded October 1914.

James Liggett, Scottish Rifles.

John Joseph Liggett, R.I.F.

Thomas Liggett, R.I.R.

Joseph Malcomson, R.I.R.

William Malcomson, R.I.F., killed in action, May, 1915.

Robert Malcomson, R. T. R.

Edward Miller, Irish Guards, severely wounded, May, 1915.

Thomas Mighton, R.I.F., killed in action May, 1915

John Milligan, I.G., wounded, October, 1914.

William Milligan, R.I.F.

Thomas Milligan, R.F.A.

Wm. James McNeill, R.I.F., severely wounded at St. Julien, April, 1915.

Joseph McAnally, Canadians,

Robert Porter, Naval Division, taken prisoner, May. 1915.

Thomas Porter, Naval Division, Dardanelles.

George Preston, Lance Corporal R.I.F, wounded and prisoner, September, 1914, interned at Doeberitz Camp, Berlin.

Robert Rainey, R.F,A.

Samuel Rainey, R.I.F.

Alfred Richardson, Canadians.

Hugh Roney, R.I.F., wounded and prisoner, May, 1915, interned at Münster, West Germany.

Thomas Stanfield, R.I.F.

George Steenson, R.G.A,

Walter Vaughan, N.I.H.

Isaac Walker, N.I.H.

George Whiteside, Scots Greys, reported killed in action, October, 1914.

Wm. James Whiteside, R.I.F., severely wounded April, 1915.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

SEAGOE WAR NOTES.

During the past month our brave Seagoe lads at

the front, have suffered severely in the heavy

engagements that have taken place but they have in every

case fought with splendid heroism and courage. We

have to chronicle the sad news of the death at the

hands of the enemy of three who belong to this

Parish.

On April 13th, Private Jas. Gracey of Florence

Court was severely wounded and died on April 14th

in Hospital at Hazebruck. His brother Private

Joseph Gracey who is also at the front writes to say,

that before his death he was visited by the Chaplain.

He had also seen his brothers grave, and had got and

was wearing the regimental crest from his cap.

The Ven. Archdeacon Southwell, Chaplain at

Hazebruck has written two very kind letters in response

to inquiries about him. He says, writing under date

May 11th, 1915, from No. 10 Casualty Clearing

Station, British Expeditionary Force.

We have 4 Clearing Stations here and since April

14th over 15,000 wounded men have passed through

them. Perhaps the chief comfort we can give to the

sorrowing relatives is that all who come in are well

cared for, and the Chaplains go round constantly, and

see all fresh arrivals, and visit first the more serious

cases. During the heavy fighting of the past few

weeks, we have been working night and day. There

have been in all 6 Clearing Stations here at different

times, and lately several changes have taken place as

we had to vacate places under shell fire and move the

Stations. Everything possible is done for those who

come in. We have Nursing Sisters attached and

Chaplains at each Station, and every patient receives

all the attention we can give both bodily and

spiritual.

Private William Henry Armstrong of the 1st

Batt. R.I.F., was killed by a sniper in the trenches on

Friday, March 12th. Private John Girvan in a letter

to Mrs. Metcalfe of Tarson, says, " Harry Armstrong

wag killed in the trench on Friday by a sniper. He

had his head out above the trench and the sniper had

seen him. All here that belonged to Portadown were

sorry to hear it. The snipers are all good shots, so you

see we have not much of a chance when one of them

sees you. Barry bas died for his King and Country.

He was a very goodhearted fellow."

Another resident in the Parish who has been killed

in action is Private Wm. Malcomson, ISt Batt.

He fell in the heavy fighting

R. I. F. of Edenderry.

near St. Julien early in May. He leaves a wife and

five young children to mourn his loss.

Our Wounded.

Private Wm. Jas. Whiteside, ISt Batt. R. I. F.

is in Hospital at Lincoln suffering from severe

wounds in the head and eyes which have endangered

his sight. The Rev. C. Bolam, Chaplain, has been

very kind in writing for him, and everything that

skill and care can suggest is being done to preserve

his sight.

Pte. W. J. McNeill, 1st Batt. R.I.F., after passing

unscathed through many engagements was severely

wounded in the right leg by a fragment of a shell at

St. Julien. He is progressing well and is in Hospital

at Warrington, England.

Hugh Poney has been wounded and taken prisoner.

He is rapidly recovering and is interned at

Miinster in Germany.

Richard Flannigan of the Canadians has been

wounded in the shoulder. He is in Hospital at

Sheffield and speaks highly of the kindness shown to

him by Nurses and Doctors,

Edward Miller of the Irish Guards has been

in the thick of the fighting since the war began, and

unfortunately got wounded in a recent engagement,

but we hear good accounts of his progress towards

recovery.

Joseph M' Anally, of the Canadians, was taken

prisoner by the Germans when bravely trying to

rescue Hugh Roney, who had been wounded This

is a remarkable case of a Seagoe man in the Canadian

Contingent coming to the help of another Seagoe

man in the home forces. Apparently the Canadians

and Fusiliers were side by side in this engagement.

Seagoe and the R-I-F. Ambulance.

A fund is being raised to provide an Ambulance for

the 9th Batt. R.I.F. in which many of our brave

Seagoe men are serving.

A sum of £5 has been sent by the Rector to Mrs.

Blacker who is collecting for the Ambulance. The

amount represents 10s sent from the Sunday

School Prize Fund, and 10s from the Edenderry

Men's Bible Class. Mrs. Blacker has sent the following acknowledgment.

DEAR MR. ARCHER,

May 30th.

Thank you so much for this most generous

contribution towards the Motor Ambulance for the

9th Battalion. I must say I think it was most self

denying of the Bible Class and School Children to

forego their Prizes this year, and it gives one great

pleasure to feel that the result of denial helps

towards a Motor Ambulance for their own people.

The egg collection is still going on well, I am glad

to say, and Seagoe Parish is helping splendidly.

Yours sincerely,

EVA BLACKER.

A Useful Gift.

Mr Gilbert Price, of Ballinacor, has presented for

use at the Services in Tamnificarbet a handsome Oak

Offertory Plate carved by himself. The gift was

dedicated by the Rector at the Service on Sunday

evening, May 30th. This gift is a fresh proof of the

.kindly interest taken by the Parishioners in the

Service at Tamnificarbet.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Latest from the Trenches—A Seagoe Canadian.

Private Alfred Richardson, " D " Co., 3rd

Batt. Toronto Regiment, has had a rough time in the

trenches. He writes under date May, 1915

M Received your very welcome letter of 18th May I'm

sure you've been wondering why I haven't answered

it before now. I got it when I was in the trenches,

and didn't have a chance to write as the Germans

were shelling us all the time. and we had to lie in

the trench with our heads under cover for four days.

There were attacks every night. We made one

attack but it wasn't successful as they had about 40

machine guns on us, and it was pure murder. I

came out all right, but got some Lyddite fumes in

my stomach, and felt a little sickly. Don't worry

about me."

Private John Girvan, 1st Batt. R.I.F., is still,

we rejoice to know, safe and well. He has fought

through all the engagements from the first. He

writes to the Rev. G. Bloomer, under date May 29th

as follows—

" Just a line to let you know I am well,

and in good health considering the way we have to

fight the Germans. I am sure you read in the papers

how they gave us the gas. Well our Regiment stack

to our trenches, and when they came on our boys

'mowed them down, and they came on no farther.

They come on when they think you are dead in the

trenches. This letter will let you know about some

that belong to your Parish, There was one killed,

Malcomson of Edenderry, and Whiteside was wound-

ed. The two were in the same Company as myself

also McNeill of Ballymacrandle.

I was also in that

engagement myself. You and all in the Bible Class

have prayed for me and God has heard your prayers,

Tell them I am very thankful to them, and am trusting

in God to bring me home to be with you all on

Sunday morning when this war is over.

I have a very nice letter from William J. Caddell.

I have read more of the Bible out here than all the time I

was at home. If you know anyone of your Parish

coming out here you might just tell them to bring

one with them, as when you are in the trench you

can pass the time reading, and there is no Book like

the Bible. God has said, not one hair from our head

can fall, but he knows it, and I am trusting Him to

bring me safe home to my wife and family.

The Germans are cowardly to come and kill you in

the trench when they have you half dead with gas.

I am sure if some of the boys that has not listed yet

knew how they are treating us they would walk out

here if there was a road, or if they would not, I

would say give them one dose of gas in their

Own corner in the house, and I am sure if they

could not get out by the door they would jump

through the window.

1 still remain your

'friend,

JOHN GIRVAN.

The Annual Excursion.

Through the kind permission of Lt.-Col. Blacker,

J P., the Annual Sunday School Excursion will take

place (D, V.) to Carrickblacker on Thursday, June

24th. The Superintendents, Teachers, and Children

will assemble at Seagoe Church at 10 a.m., and after

a short service will march in procession to the field.

Children who have attended the Schools regularly

will receive Tickets at the following rates—Under 8

years of age at 3d, 8 to 14 at 6d, over 14 at 9d. Each

Ticket entitles the holder to two Refreshments. As

usual there will be a Stall for the Sale of Sweets,

Cakes, Mineral Waters, etc., etc., under the spreading

Chestnut Tree. The profits from the Stall, after

paying expenses, will be given to the 9th Batt. Motor

Ambulance Fund.

The Day Schools.

The Annual Examination in Religious Knowledge

was held by the Diocesan Inspector, Rev. J. St.

Mervyn, M.A., on Thursday, May 27th, in Seagoe and

Hacknahay Schools. The Inspector's report is satisfactory.

131 children were examined in Seagoe

School and 116 passed. Miss Margaret Quinn,

Monitress, was award First Certificate in Course I V.

The following were also awarded Certificates in the

Senior Course—First Class Certificate, May Best ;

Second Class Certificates, Samuel Magee and Edward

Crawford (equal).

In course I the following were awarded Certificates

—Isabella Best and Ethel Forsythe (equal) ; Annie

Walker, Ellie Elliott, Moses M'Kerr, Amy Porter,

Edmund Sweeney.

In Hacknahay School Eliza

Thompson (full marks) and Sarah Livingstone were

awarded Certificates, and Dora Calvert was commended.

The Jumble Sale.

This Sale was held on Saturday, May 1st, in the

Parochial Hall There was a most useful assortment

of goods of all kinds. and the demand exceeded

the supply. The following is a statement of the Stall

Receipts Preston, 13s 0 ½ d ; Miss Montgomery,

19s 4d ; Rev G. Bloomer, 6s 4d ; Mr Chambers,

16s 3 ½ d ; Miss Monroe, £l 2s 3 ½ d; Mrs Porter,

12s 3d ; at Door, 6s 8d ; Total £4 16s 2d.

Notice.

The fortnightly meetings of workers in Seagoe

School for providing comforts for the soldiers will be

discontinued during the ensuing weeks. The Egg

Collections will be made as arranged.

ITEMS.

We hear that the men of the 9th Battalion will

shortly be leaving Newtownards Camp.

Miss Mary Wilson, daughter of Mr T. H. Wilson,

has obtained 75 per cent in the second grade

examination of the Society of Musicians.

We sympathise very sincerely with several families

in the Parish whose dear ones have been suddenly

called away during the past month. Our list of

Burials presents some exceptionally bad bereavements this month.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

PARISH REGISTER FOR MAY,

Baptisms.

" He laid His hands upon them and blessed them."

Baptized on Saturday, May 1st, 1915.

Dunlop—Eileen, daughter of David George Dunlop, 5th Batt. R.I.R,

and the late Anne Jane Dunlop of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Ellen M. Campbell, Charlotte Forde.

Watson—George Gibson, son of George and Elizabeth Watson, of Portadown.

Sponsors Mary Watson, Elizabeth Watson.

Liggett—Sarah Jane, daughter of Thomas Liggett (Private, 1st Batt. R.I.R., British Expeditionary

Force), and Sarah Jane Liggett, of Drumnagoon.

Sponsors—Mary Forde, Sarah Jane Liggett.

McAnally—Mary Jane, daughter of Joshua and Anne McAnally, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Anne White, Anne McAnally.

Watters—Mabel, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca Waters, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Matilda Neill, Rebecca Watters.

PRIVATE BAPTISM.

Gilliland—May 81st, 1915, Elizabeth. daughter of James Gilliland, Private, 9th Batt. R.I.F.,

and the late Elizabeth Gilliland, of Edenderry.

Burials,

Till the day break and the shadows flee away."

Dickson—April 25th, Margaret Dickson, of Edenderry, aged 27.

Whiteside—M ay 5th, George Whiteside, of Edenderry, aged 21.

Coulter—Moy 7th, Samuel Coulter, of Ballinary, aged 2 weeks.

Gilliland—May 7th, Elizabeth Gilliland, of Edenderry, aged 38. Interred at Donaghcloney.

Wright—May 24th, Catherine Jane Wright, of Edenderry, aged 1 year and 8 months.

Currie—May 27th, Thomas John Currie, of Ballymacrandle, aged 18 months.

Porter—May 31st, Martha Porter, of Lower Seagoe, aged 47.

Offertories for May.

Sundays—Mornings, £7 12 4

Evenings, 2 6 10

Week days 0 8 5

£10 7 7

The above total includes the sum of £3 1s ld for the Jews Society.

ITEMS.

We welcome to this neighbourhood Mrs and Miss

Macoun who have come to reside in Portadown.

They formerly lived at Mount Pleasant, Drumgor,

and were most useful Parish helpers.

Our Old Seagoe Notes have been curtailed this

month owing to pressure on our space.

The house-to-house Envelope Collections for

Missions were made through the Parish in Whitsun-

week, and the returns up to the present amount to

£8 15s. A full statement will be made in our next

issue.

Mr J. J. Dobson, until recently a Lay Reader, has

received rapid promotion in the Army. Since

September last he has got the following steps 2nd

Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Adjutant and Captains

He is attached to the 7th R.I.R. in camp near

Mallow.

Seagoe Choir took a leading part in the Lurgan

Choir Union Festival at Knocknamuckley, on Saturday, May 29th.

Old Seagoe Notes-

An Edenderry Will made in 1766.

[The following Will was copied from the original

Document in the Record Offce, Dublin, and gives an

interesting sidelight on life in Edenderry 150 years

ago.]

In the name of God, Amen, I Margaret Blacker,

of the Townland of Edenderry, in the Parish of Sego

and County of Armagh, being sick in body, but of a

perfect sound and disposing mind and memory,

thanks be to God for the same, and calling to mind

the mortality of my Body, knowing that it is appointed

for all women once to die, do make this my

last Will and Testament. And first of all I recommend

my soul to God who gave it, and my Body to,

the Earth, and as touching such worldly

goods as it pleased Almighty God to bless me with

in this life I leave and bequeath unto Jane Harris of

Edenderry, Parish and County aforesaid, wife to

John Harris of sd. place all my worldly goods of

every kind, and also the following goods which is

my Right and Property, but unjustly carried away

by Elizabeth Lindsay, the Elder of Portadown :

One Green Damask Silk Gown, one Haven Gray

Silk Sating, one Black Killamenka Peticoat, and one

White Peticoat, one pair of fine Sheets, a Cotton

Counterpen, one Feather Bead (bed) with the Feathersy

one Tea Chest, one Kaine Arm'd Chair, one small

one of Kaine, also one Pewter Soope Dish, one

Pewter Pleat, one Brass Candlestick, one large

Morgan (margin) Bible, also one small Pocket

Bible.

Allowing this to be my last Will and Testament„

also I allow and ordaine the said Jane Harris to be

my Executor in witness whereof I have here unto set

my hand and seale this 25th day of May, 1766.

Signed sealed and published in presence of us.

her

MARGARET X BLACKER.

Her mark.

THOMAS MOSSGROVE.

MEREDITH ATKINSON.

T. FITZIMONS.

Probate granted 25th June, 1766.