November 1922

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

NOVEMBER, 1922,

The Sustentation Fund.

Collectors are about to call on you (if you have not yet

joined the Freewill Offering Fund) for your Subscription

to the Sustentation Fund. Please increase your subscription

and tell the Collector that you will join the Freewill Fund

on January 1st, 1923. You will receive from the Collector

your bundle of 52 Envelopes for the year. The future of

Seagoe Parish depends on the liberality of your subscription.

Don't fail the old Church. You don't wish the Parish of

Seagoe—which has had an independent existence for

1500 years—to be reduced to a Curacy in charge. 251

Parishioners have joined the Freewill Fund, but there

are 672 Church households in the Parish, beside many

earners who should join the Fund.

The Harvest Services.

These Services were more largely attended in Seagoe

Church this year than ever before. On Thursday,

October 5, the Church was quite full. The Service was

most hearty, and the Anthem was very well sung by

the Choir. The Rev. E. A. Myles, Rector of Tullylish,

preached on "Sowing and Reaping." The offerings for

Foreign Missions were liberal. On Sunday, October 8th,

the Services were continued. The Anthem was sung

with much expression, the solo being taken by Mr.

David Murray. The Preacher Morning and Evening was

the Rev. F. B. Allman, LL.D., Rector of Aghalee. Both

congregations were very large, and in the evening many

had to go away for want of room. No less than 608 people

were counted in the Church, although it has only seating

accommodation for 550.

District Harvest Services.

Services have been held during the month in Carne,

Edenderry, and Levaghery. The Schools and Hall were

very richly decorated with fruit and flowers. All the

Services seemed to be more largely attended than in

previous years. At Carne, the Rev. J. Dunlop, Curate

of Drumcree, was the preacher on the Monday evening.

The Rev. J. Molloy, Curate of St. Mark's, Portadown,

was the special preacher in Edenderry, and in Levaghery

the Rev. G. W. Millington preached on the Monday

evening.

The following is a statement of the Collections: —

£ s d £ s d £ s d

Parish Church 5 16 3 7 1 3 7 1 9

Hacknahay 3 3 7 1 5 2 ½

Carne 1 18 0 0 16 3

Edenderry 2 3 0 0 9 3 ½

Levaghery 1 3 9 1 1 3

Collectors' Social.

A largely attended Social Meeting of Freewill

Superintendents and Collectors was held in Seagoe

School on Tuesday, October 17th, at 7.30 p.m. After

an enjoyable tea, most kindly supplied by the ladies,

the Rector took the chair and explained the object of

the Meeting, to develop and extend the Freewill

System in the Parish. A very important Conference

of the workers was held, and many useful suggestions

made which will be put in force. Some cakes which

remained over were sold for 6s, which was paid to

the Freewill Offering Fund.

For Those Confirmed.

On Monday, November 13th, a Meeting will be held

in Seagoe School at 8 p.m. for all who have been

Confirmed. The object of the meeting is to bring before

our Confirmed Church members the duty and privilege

of attending Holy Communion and the benefits we

receive thereby. Our Communicants are invited, and also

those who have been recently Confirmed and those who

have been Confirmed at past Confirmations. This will

be a most important meeting.

Townland Teas.

A series of Six Townland Teas are being arranged to

take place if possible, during November in the following

centres: —Bocombra, Carne, Drumgor, Seagoe Edenderry,

Hacknahay. The purpose of these Social gatherings

is to enable the Parishioners to meet together in a Social

way and discuss subjects of interest to the Parish.

The Mothers' Union.

The Mothers have had several very good meetings

during the month. On Tuesday, November 7th, at 4

p.m. a Service will (D.V.) be held in Seagoe Church for

the Mothers from the Parish. New members will be

admitted to membership, and an Address to the Mothers

will be given by the Rev. J. R. M'Dona1d, M.A., Rector

of Donacloney. All Mothers and Wives are welcome to

this Service.

Congratulations.

Our heartiest congratulations to Mr. David Rock on

his appointment as a Justice of the Peace. He well

deserves it, and will add strength and a sound judgment

to the Magisterial Bench in Portadown. Mr. Rock has

always been a very loyal Parishioner of Seagoe, and all

Seagoe people will rejoice at his promotion.

We also congratulate Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Abraham,

of Breagh, on their Marriage. Mr. Abraham has many

friends in the Parish of Seagoe, and they all wish him

and Mrs. Abraham much happiness.

Harvest Service at Drumgor.

The last of our Harvest Services will (D.V.) be held in

Drumgor Church Hall on Sunday, November 5th. at 3.30,

and on Monday, November 6th, at 6. The Rev. G. C.

Johnston, B.A., Curate of Shankill, will preach at the

Monday Service.

Church Doors Painted.

The Varnishing and Painting of the Church doors is

being carried out by Mr. Brownlie. The great South

door and the Vestry Door are made of finely grained oak,

and are very handsome with their fresh coat of varnish.

Few Churches have such fine doors.

Parish Register for October. 1922

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church

on the 7th October, 1922: —

M'Minn—Emily, daughter of John and Charlotte M'Minn,

of Edenderry.

Sponsors —Emily Forde, Charlotte M'Minn.

Gracey—Vera Louise, daughter of John George and Sarah

Jane Gracey, of Balteagh.

Sponsors—John George Gracey, Sarah Jane Gracey.

M'Ilroy—Mary Evelyn, daughter of William and Elizabeth

M'Ilroy, of Drumnagoon

Sponsors—Mary Forde, Elizabeth M'Ilroy.

Wallace—Bridget Elizabeth, daughter of Acheson and

Mary Wallace, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Sarah Mary Wallace, Mary Wallace.

Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church on October 18th, 1922:

Jennett—William James, son of William and Evelyn

Jennett, of Edenderry

Sponsors—Charlotte Allen, Emily Reid.

Russell—William Joseph, son of Joseph Thomas and

Hannah Bella Russell, of Tarsan.

Sponsors—Marjorie Russell, Joseph Thomas Russell.

PRIVATE BAPTISM.

Donaldson – October 23rd, 1922—Sarah Jane, daughter

of Isaac Robert and Mary Donaldson, of Killycomain.

Marriages.

Abraham and Spence—September 28th, 1922, at Loughgall

Parish Church, Samuel John Abraham, of Breagh, to

Mary Elizabeth Spence, of Loughgall.

Ryans and Sturgeon - October 6th, 1922, by the Rev. G.

H. Daunt, Rector of Knocknamuckley, William John

Ryans, of Drumnacanvey, to Emily Sturgeon,

of Drumnacanvey.

M' Loughlin and Porter—October 11th, 1922, William

John M'Loughlin, of Killycomain, to Sarah Margaret

Porter, of Lower Seagoe.

Burials.

Reid—October 23rd, Elizabeth Reid, of the Parish of Gilford,

aged 53.

Beckett – October 29th, Isabella Beckett, of Tamnifiglasson,

aged 83.

Emerson—October 29th, Margaret Emerson, of 58 Coolfin

Street, Belfast, aged 21.

Killow - November 2nd, Anne Killow, of Levaghery,

aged 92.

Coulter—November 3rd, Elizabeth Coulter, of Edenderry,

aged 79.

ITEMS.

A Children's Service will (D.V.) be held in Seagoe

Church on Sunday Morning, November 12th, at 11.30.

Parents are asked to bring their children with them to

Public Worship.

Please remember the Collection for the Poor of the

Parish, held on the first Sunday of each month at Morning

and Evening Prayer.

Colonel Blacker is now residing at Dinard, in Brittany

(France). Mr. Bob Blacker is Captain of his School

Football Team. He is hoping to join the Royal Navy

before long. Mr. William Blacker is at Sandhurst preparing

for the Army. There is quite a large colony of

English and Scottish people living at Dinard. There is

also an English Church and a resident, Clergyman.

Mrs. Margaret Emerson, of Belfast, whose death we

record at the early age of 21, was a niece of the late

James Erskine. She was greatly attached to Seagoe, and

her last, wish was to be buried in Old Seagoe Graveyard,

a wish which was fulfilled.

A new Newspaper, "The Portadown Times," has just

been published. It is very interesting. Some useful

Antiquarian Notes have already appeared in its columns.

Refugees from the South continue to come to the Parish.

We hear of sad happenings in the Free State. We fear

many of our fellow Churchmen are passing through a

furnace of persecution at the hands of the Irregulars.

We hope shortly to revive the Edenderry G.F.S. and

the Literary Debating Society, which used to meet in

1913-14 in the Parochial Hall.

Men of the Parish join up the Men's Bible's Class, which

meets in Seagoe School every Sunday Morning at 10.

Girls should join Mr. Rennix's Class, which meets in

the School at the same hour.

The Scouts attended Morning Prayer in Seagoe Church

on Sunday, October 15th. They looked very smart.

Mr. Joyce, of Eden Villa, sailed for Canada and the

States on the R.M.S. Regina last month. Mr. Joyce

resides at Cincinnati, and for many years was engaged

in Steel works in that city. Mr. Joyce has crossed the

Atlantic many times. His first crossing was made some

60 years ago. He very often winters in the warmer

climate of Texas.

Mr. James Twinem attended the meeting of the Diocesan

Synod on Tuesday, October 31st, but where were our other

three Synodsmen?

The new Sunday School Calendar will be distributed

at the end of the month in time for Advent Sunday, the

first Sunday of the Christian Year.

Collecting Cards for the Protestant Orphan Society are

in circulation through the Parish.

Mr. Sam Reid was presented with a Bible by his

fellow-workers in the Freewill Offering Fund on the eve

of his departure for America.

To Distant Lands.

Miss Ellen Matthews sailed for Ayr, North Queensland,

last month on the “Orvieto” to join her brother, who

has been there, engaged in the Sugar Cane industry for

some years. The “Orvieto" has been signalled as having

sailed from Colombo.

Mr. Sam Reid, of Bocombra, has sailed for New

York with Mr. and Mrs. Guy, of Tarsan, who are returning

to the States. Mr. Reid did good work as a Collector

for the Weekly Freewill Offering. We will miss him

very much. We sympathise with him on the death of

his mother, who passed away at the early age of 53, the

day before he sailed.

THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

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

(Continued from October Magazine.)

THURSDAY, JULY 6th.

Apparently, we are going to stay here for a bit, and

we are gradually getting our baggage over. Today I began

reorganisation work, promotions and general sorting

out; the disposal of Officers' kits, making inventories of

their belongings, etc. The amount of writing that has to

be done is awful — a narrative of the Battle, recommendations

for reward, letters to relatives—besides all the orderly

room work, which, of course, is in arrears owing to these

moves, and poor Cather's death. Hessey's Brigade has

just come through — a very fine lot of men. It is so hard

to get any evidence of gallant deeds, of which there are

numbers. Everyone who came back, except about 6, have

been cleared away to England wounded. I have not yet,

been able to grasp in detail who has gone; every day some

fresh loss which I had not known of. Of the 50 M. Gunners

with the Battalion only 14 are left. There will, I fear, be

great anxiety till the casualties are out. I haven't been

able to complete mine yet, but hope to get them in

tomorrow. Bob Maxwell has been cleared home,

not at all bad, but they clear everyone now to make

room. Poor Jenks, in 12th, died here. Lyle very bad;

they only have 1 Captain left. I feel unable to settle

down to things, but hope that will wear off soon. I see

the "Times" noted the gallantry of the Division. It was

given a hard task; as matters turned out, an impossible

one, at any rate on our side of the river. Of course, none

of the transport were in the Push. Poor old Bernard killed!

Orders just come in we are to be prepared to move

tomorrow.

FRIDAY, JULY 7th.

We've been hanging about all day, expecting orders to

move up in support, but so far none have come. As far

as we can make out so far, our casualties are as follows:

Officers Other Ranks

Killed 2 58

Missing, believed killed 6* 157

Wounded 9 303

17 518

*4 of these found •later and buried.

Our present available strength here is 280, of which

we could put about 196 into the line.

Such fearful showers to-day. They are trying another

go at Thiepval today, but rumour says it has been repulsed;

Haig has just gone through here. The Push is doing well

in the South, where it was not expected, but at present it's

hung up in N. and centre. We have to be ready to move

within an hour.

SATURDAY, JULY 8th.

Still standing fast here, Chough expecting to move at

any moment, I expect up into the line again, to hold a

bit and relieve others. Such thunder showers yesterday,

and all night, and today hot, steamy and threatening.

Brew writes he is at Rouen and getting on splendidly. I

hear Friday's "Daily Mail" has great praise of the Division.

We were told yesterday p.m. that we would almost

certainly move last night, and at short notice, so we all

slept with our loins girt, and with one eye open, but

nothing disturbed us except numerous messages. It

turned out fine. Now the news is that we go to railhead,

and thence N. by rail to 11 Army! Probably to-morrow.

I have been all day writing out recommendations for honours.

Every case, with the evidence, has to go in in quadruplicate.

SUNDAY, JULY 9th.

We move to-morrow about 7 a.m., but where to is

obscure. I believe about 10 miles back, near a railway.

Some say to go to St. Omer to refit; others to go into

the line near La Bassee. Church Parade was a sad one

today with the depleted ranks. It seemed to bring home

the loss of our gallant comrades. I stayed for Communion.

The Padre was wonderful; he brought tears to my eyes,

but he said exactly the right thing. At last, I have sent

off the honour list. Charlie has recommended all. Very

close and warm today, and dust flying. There is a possibility

that some of our wounded in and near the German

line are prisoners, 'At.' among the number. Could you

get the D. of Abercorn's Association to try and find out

if any Irish Fus. were taken on July 1st, and if so, names.

The difficulty of our surplus kit, crops up again on a

move to a new area. The Division are going to make a

big dump, but it would be unsafe to leave private kit,

here; bound to be lost. We are going to hire a country

cart and take private and mess kit along with us. Another

man came in and said Montgomery and Hollywood

were lying dead close to him. T. was also seen to fall.

Pratt and I passed Haig on the road near here, walking

evidently for exercise. His horses were being sent home

and his motor had gone. He has grown stout, since I

saw him at Mhow, in 1894. The 1st Battalion were also

in the Push, N. of us a few miles.

MONDAY, JULY 10^th "GEZAINCOURT."

We leave here: at 6,30 a.m. and have to put in the day

On the road, as we don't entrain till 11.17 p.m., about 11

miles from here, and then a 40 mile railway journey; and

then a march of any distance — we shall be near St. Omer.

Saw G. Bruce just now. Bob Maxwell an outpatient in

London. I feel ashamed almost to be alive. I didn't take

part in the Push and was never in danger, and I feel I didn't

do enough, while all these gallant, fellows gave their lives.

We hadn't a long march today, about nine miles, and the

weather nice. Tomorrow about 12, taken in two bits. There

is a big Officers' hospital here, and a large men's clearing

station also — heaps of nurses. Orderly going, trying to

get a Field Post Office at D ( ) about 1 ½ miles from here.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12^th. – “LYNDE”

We got in here at 7 a.m. after an all night journey in

train, with a 6 mile march at end, and go on 12 miles

tomorrow to a place, Tilques, where I hope we stay for a

little to refit. Young Holmes, in Indian Cav., a cousin of

'At.'s,' caught us on the march yesterday, after a long

search, to inquire for news, but alas, we could give him

no hope. Till we settle and I can get hold of Rank and

File list I can help you very little. We have all implored

the men to write at once to their friends, but then there

are the wounded, who may be unable to write. I am

trying a regular reshuffle. I am taking on Fergie as

Adjt. He will do it splendidly, promoting Regtl. Q.M.S.

to Qr. Mr., and Milne to Regtl. Q.M.S. Fergie says

Wilson is quite fit for Qr. Mr., and any way he will

be here to help him. This I propose, but, of course,

difficulties may be put in my way. Fergie has slaved for 2

years with no prospect of any advance, he is dying to get

on, and is bound to do so, given a chance. If the war

lasts he will command the Battalion. The men are quite

pleased as they've found lots of Orange Lilies and are

wearing them in their caps. The reshuffle will promote

Shepherd coy Q.M.S.

THURSDAY. JULY 13th.

Such a wonderful letter from Mrs. C. J. So good of

her to write in all her trouble. Will you tell her how

much I appreciate it. Poor Mrs. Atkinson, how much I

feel for her.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 12th.

Sergt. Foster, from Lurgan, was killed as we went into

the line on Friday night, Instantaneous, by shell. I had

recommended him previously for Military Medal for

gallantry. Can't think why they have only mentioned some

of the casualties. They are publishing them in penny

numbers as it were. It's wonderful the people thinking

of me in their own sorrow. Here of course London is as

near as Paris. Leave may open again soon, but I couldn't

leave them yet; such a lot to be done. I feel dazed still.

The Sgt. Majors, the Qr. Mr. Sgts. and one Senior Officer

per Coy were kept behind. Only 20 Officers allowed over

the parapet, and I only sept 16. Flood, Allen, Lutt were

all in the line, also young Ensor, doing some job, but

didn't go over. Given was at Army School. Shill. is

doing grand work. He came out just at the right moment,

and is an enormous help. Pratt has gone over to see his

brother, who is on the Staff at G. H.Q. School for

Officers near here.

THURSDAY, JULY 13^th. – “EPERLECOUES”

5 p.m.—Got in after a 15 mile march—fine. Such a

nice peaceful place. I have asked everyone to prevent

my letters getting into the Press. You might keep it in

mind. I have a horror of it. A draft of 53 came in this

evening, which brings us up to 356. We had parties out

every night searching, and the last one when we were 6

miles back. It was dangerous work, and one Officer was

killed, and one wounded at the job. Everyone volunteered

for it, and till we moved back 12 miles, parties went up

every night. No trace of 'At.’ could be found, but the

area to search was about 450 x 500 yards, and under fire

all the time. I still think it possible he may still be a

prisoner. Ask Sloan to find out where Sergt. Caulfield,

of Lurgan, is in hospital, as he stated he saw 'At.' dead,

or apparently dead. If the men's story about his being

in the 3rd Line trench is true, he may be wounded, and

a prisoner, but I doubt the story. No posthumous honours

are allowed or given, except the V.C., and though I know

they all earned it, there is no evidence. Old Bernard was

killed in Thiepval wood, bringing up his Battalion, in

support—shrapnel, I think. Ross Smyth sprained his

ankle, I'm told, going up that night, and wasn't wounded.

Sergeant Johnstone wounded, and not bad, I believe.

Sergt. Foster killed. Sergt. Barbour all right. Will find

out about Brownlee and Addis. I wish I could feel I

deserved the men's devotion, and the kindly thought

for me on the part of the poor bereaved ones touches

me to the heart. Old Q.M.S. Russell is all right. He has

been on a soft Div. job for months. This seems a charming

spot. People are much more friendly here and helpful,

Billets good, and so peaceful, and such a pretty country,

so civilised. 2 posts out in the day! I return your letters.

How kind people have been, writing about me.

FRIDAY, JULY 14th.

A charming letter from Mrs. Horner. I only let the

Cov. Officers go over the parapet; M.G. Signaller, Bomber,

remained to organise the supplies of ammunitions

etc., to be sent up. They were very angry, but I'm

thankful I did. The Push, as far as big gains go, has

ended. It succeeded where there was surprise. Now

the Germans are reinforcing there. However, it's been

a great buck up, and will continue, I expect, but I fear

they won't get through, though they may. Weather

lovely to-day, warm, but cloudy. We had strawberries

today for the first time.

SATURDAY, JULY 15th.

Of course, we have begun the usual training fads again,

programme of work, etc. As we have no men it's rather

a farce. 1 hope we may get filled up shortly. The 11th

have got in some 90 Derby Recruits. Quite good, I hear.

The present idea is we shall stay here for a few weeks, but

nothing is certain. The Push seems going on all right.

There were rumours yesterday that the Cavalry had got

through, but I fear not. We are here due W. of Ypres

but some way off (E'perlecque). We may go back to IV.

Army, or may stay here with the 11, probably latter, I

should say. If we took over a bit of the line the Bde.

would take over a Battalion front, each Battalion acting

as a Company. That's what the 29th Div. did. We are

a new Corps, but I don't quite know which — IX. I

believe. A heavenly day. We missed the bad weather

this time. Have lost my beloved Onoto, and am lost

without it. Fergie very pleased at being made Adjt.

(To be continued.)