November 1923

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

NOVEMBER, 1923.

Armistice Day.

IMPORTANT NOTICE.

On next Sunday, November 11th, being Armistice

Day, Divine Service will begin at 10.45 a.m.,

instead of at 11-30 a.m. The two minutes' silence will

be observed at 11 a.m. Seagoe and Edenderry Sunday

Schools will close at 10.30 a.m. sharp, so as to

give the Teachers and children time to reach the

Church.

The Purchase of Seagoe Glebe

At. a meeting of Seagoe Select Vestry held on

Wednesday, October 10th, in Seagoe School, at 8

p .m , a Resolution a Resolution was unanimously passed

the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Hugh Stoops,

with Miss Atkinson and Mr. T. E. Maginnis, to

pay over to the Body the sum of

$950 5s 8d for purchase of Seagoe Rectory. Thus

the long sustained effort to secure a rent free Rectory

for the Parish has been brought to successful termination.

It is well at this juncture to understand

why this sum had to be paid. On January 1st, 1871,

all Church property in Ireland passed into the

hands or two Commissioners appointed by the State

—Mr Justice Lawson and Mr. George Alexander

Hamilton. They were to continue in office for a

period exceeding 10 years, and it was their

duty to arrange the transfer of property from the

Established Church the Disestablished Church

(the Representative Church Body being its representative.)

The Representative Body were empowered

to purchase any Ecclesiastical Residences on payment

to the Commissioners Of a sum equal to ten

times the amount of the annual value or the land,

together with an amount equal to ten years' purchase

of the House and Garden at its annual general

tenement valuation. The sum paid by the

Representative Body to two Commissioners so as to

secure the Rectory for Seagoe Parish amounted to

£950 5s 8d. The Rectors of Seagoe have been paying

to the Representative Body the interest at 3 ½

per cent., this sum each year amounting to £33 16s.

That charge on the Rectory now been wiped

out. Under the Act passed by the General Synod

at its special Session in 1921 it is decreed that in

future all Rectories must be tree from Rent, Rates

and Taxes. Seagoe Rectory is now freed from Rent,

and in so far the Parish has complied with the Act.

The Harvest Services.

This year the congregations at the Harvest Services

seemed larger than ever. At the Sunday

Evening Service no less than 715 people were counted,

although the Church has only seating accommodation

for 550. On Thursday evening the Rev.

H. B. Swanzy; M.A„ Vicar of Newry: preached

There was a very large congregation. The Harvest

Music was very well rendered by the Choir. The

Solo was very nicely sung by Miss Montgomery.

The duet for alto soprano sung by Miss Montgorgery

and Miss Kirby was also very well sung.

The offerings were for Foreign Missions. On Sunday

morning the Church was again filled. The sermon

was preached by the Rev. W. Hogarth, M.A., Rector

of St. Saviour's, Portadown. At the Sunday evening

service the special preacher was the Rev. Leslie

Stevenson, M.A., Rector or St. John's, Malone, Belfast

District Harvest Services,

As is usual, Services were held throughout the

Parish during October.

The series began with

Hacknahay, and went quite round the Parish

through Drumgor, Levaghery, Carne, Edenderryr

Harvest Services will (D. V.) be held on Sunday

Novernber 4, in the Parochial Hall at 3.30.

Drumgor was decorated with great taste and care.

The School never looked better. Two girls from

Drumgor Sunday School scrubbed the floor of the

School, no easy job. Miss Lizzie Gracey presided

at the Harmonium.

Levaghery was richly decorated; and the old

building never looked better. Wheat, apples, roses,

and 'fiery pokers" formed the decorations. The

congregations were large, and ,the music bright

and hearty. Miss Selina Bradshaw presided at the

Harmonium. On the Monday evening the Rev. John

Dunlop, Curate Of Drumcree, preached.

Carne.—Carne Church Hall is one of the neatest

buildings in the Parish)- was beautifully decorated,

and had good congregations. The offerings

were liberal. The Rev. W. T, Wilson, Curate of

Seagoe, preached at both services. Mr. David

Murray pyesided at the organ.

The following is a list of the offerings contributed

at the Services Parish Church, ￡6 12s Od, ￡5 17s

2d , ￡7 12s 2d ; Hacknahay, ￡2 5s 6d and ￡1 6s 4d ;

Drumgor, ￡1 16s 6d and 12s 3d ; Levaghery, ￡1 9s 1d

and ￡1 Is 6d ; Carne — ------ and 11s 8d.

In the Parish Church Miss Mary Wilson presided

at the organ. The Anthem was “ Praise the Lord."

The Edenderry Harvest, Service will be held only

on Sunday, November 4th. The service usually held

on Monday will not be held this year.

Sunday School Teaching

The Rev. P. Cosgrave, M.A., Director of Religious

Education in this Diocese, gave an Address to our

Sunday School Superintendents and Teachers on

Tuesday, October 30th, at 8 p.m. in Seagoe School.

There was a good attendance. Mr. Cosgrave explained

the newest methods in Sunday School

work, and his address

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE

Our Sunday Schools,

Miss Agnes Guy, who for some years past has

acted with great success as Superintendent of

Levaghery Sunday School, has kindly consented to

become Assistant Superintendent of Drumgor Sunday

School, which is much in need of helpers. Miss

Guy has been the means of developing and organising

Levaghery Sunday School so that it has almost

doubled in numbers, and we believe she will be able

to make Drumgor Sunday School as efficient and

successful as Levaghery.

Mr. Thomas Metcalf has been appointed

Superintendent of Levaghery School. Mr. Metcalf has

done splendid work in the Parish in many directions,

and has for some time been associated with

Levaghery Sunday School.

Ghosts.

The Rev. H. B. Swanzy, M-A. , Vicar of Newry,

and our special Preacher at this year's : Harvest

Festival, has kindly consented to give a Public

Lecture in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Thursday,

November 15th, at 8 p.m. The Tickets—One Shilling

each are now on sale in Edenderry at Mr. Vance's

Confectioner's Shop, Bridge Street. Mr Swanzy

is well known as a most interesting Lecturer, and

he has made a special study of Ghost Stories and

Ghosts. The Lecture will be interspersed with some

Readings and Recitations by Mr. Swanzy and also

by some songs. Everybody is interested in Ghosts.

Some of our readers will remember reading in

these columns some years ago the record of the

Ghost seen at Upper Seagoe years ago. Secure your

Ticket in. good time. The proceeds are in aid of

Drumgor Sunday School.

A Sad Accident.

A very sad and tragic accident occurred in the

Parish on Thursday morning, October 25th, at 11.30.

John Rea, aged 15, employed by Mr. James Twinem

in his new Shirt Factory at James Street, Edenderry,

called at Mrs. Hynes', Eden Lodge. While

there he saw a rifle in the corner of the room and

began to examine it. He then asked Bobbie Hynes

was there any ammunition, and having got some

cartridges put them into the magazine and then—

as he thought—took them all out. By accident one

was left in. The boys began to romp about with the

gun, which went off, the bullet wounding John Rea

in the head. Death was almost instantaneous owing

to the terrible nature of the wound. The Rector

happened to be passing the house just as the accident

occurred, but as he entered the room the poor

lad was breathing his last. An inquest was held in

the afternoon at the Parochial Hall, and a verdict of

' Accidental Death " was returned.

The Funeral took place from his father's house in

Balteagh on Sunday, October 28th, to Seagoe

Graveyard. There was a very large attendance, and the

children from Drumgor Sunday School and the

members of his class in Seagoe Morning Sunday

School walked in procession. The Service at the

Church and grave was taken by the Rev W. T.

Wilson ; the- Rector was unable to be present owing

to absence from home. Wreaths were sent by the

following, among others :—" In loving memory.

from the Employees of Mr. James Twinem, Edenderry,"

"With deepest sympathy, from his Teacher

and Class in Seagoe Morning Sunday School,"

"With deepest sympathy, from Seagoe Platoon 'B'

Specials," "In loving memory of our dear son,

John Rea, aged 15 years, gone but not forgotten,"

"With deepest sympathy from Mrs. Hynes .and

family. "

In the death of John Rea we have lost one of our

most promising boys. He was regular in attendance

both at the Parish Church and at Seagoe

Drumgor Sunday School, and was a great favourite

with everyone. In his work at Mr. Twinem's Factory,

where he had been employed for 18 months,

he was very diligent, and was always bright and

happy. He was Confirmed at the Confirmation held

by the Bishop in 1922, and had frequently attended

the early Communions in his Parish Church.

The sympathy of the Parishioners will go out to

the bereaved family and to Mr. and Mrs. Twinem,

and to Mrs. Hynes and her family in the trouble

that has befallen them. The example in his Worship

and in his work left by John Rea will in God's

good Providence be an inspiration and

encouragement to many in our midst.

Parish Register for October.

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish

Church on October 6th, 1923 :

Caddell—William John and Ernest, twin sons of William John and Priscilla Caddell, of

Kernan. Sponsors—Martha Walker, Priscilla Caddell.

Wright—Iris, daughter of John Henry and Mary Elizabeth Wright, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Margaret Agnes Donaldson, Mary Elizabeth Wright.

Boyce—Florence Lilian, daughter of James and Sarah Boyce, of Bocombra.

Sponsors—Eliza Jane Williamson, Sarah Boyce.

Topley—Samuel Joseph, son of William and Caroline Topley, of Kernan.

Sponsors—Christine Livingstone, Caroline Topley.

M'Cu110ugh—Richard, son of David and Margaret Letitia M'Cullough, of Balteagh.

Sponsors—Elizabeth Gracey, Margaret Letitia M'Cullough.

Burials.

Webb—October 3rd, Mary Anne Webb, of Clanrole, aged 81

Cordon—October 25th, Mary Jane Gordon, of Lower Seagoe, aged 52,

Rea—October 28th, John Rea, of Balteagh, 15,

Hawthorne—October 30th, Mary Hawthorne, of Edenderry, aged 60.

Donaldson—October 28th, Sarah Jane Donaldson, of Killicomajne, aged 1 year. Interred in

Drumcree.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE,

Death of Mrs. Hawthorne.

It is with deep regret that we record the death of

Mrs. Hawthorne, of Carrickblacker Road, which took

place on Sunday, October 28th, after a long and

very trying illness. We express our sympathy

with her two daughters who have lost both parents

within a year. The Misses Hawthorne do a splendid

work amongst the children in Edenderry, and

especially in connection with the Band of Hope.

Much sympathy has been expressed by their many

friends at the death of Mrs. Hawthorne, who was

also herself deeply interested in the welfare of

Seagoe Church and Parish.

ITEMS

Are you in arrears with your Weekly Envelopes ?

If so bring them with you to the Church on Sunday.

The Rector lectured in the Orange Hall, Carleton

Street, on Monday, October 29th, on " Old Portadown."

The Lecture was given on behalf of the

Portadown Unionist Labour Association.

Mr. James Watson, of 6 James St., has Private

Christmas Cards and Autograph Cards for sale suitable

for Sunday School distribution. Call and see

them.

The. Bible Class at Levaghery began its Winter

Session on Thursday, November 1st, and will (D. V.)

meet each Thursday during the Winter.

The Diocesan Synod will rneet (D. V.) in

on Tuesday, November 6th. Synodsmen are expected

to attend the Celebration of Holy Communion in

Belfast Cathedral at 10 a.m. on that day.

On Tuesday evening, November 6th, a great Meeting

of Church people will be held (D. V.) in the

Ulster Hall at 8 p.m. Distinguished speakers will

attend. The Musical items will be in the capable

hands of the Rev. G. R. C. Olden, Minor Canon of

the Cathedral. Tickets (no charge) may be had on

application to the Rector.

Miss Jellett, from the Chota Nagpur Mission,

North East India, gave an interesting Lecture on the

work of the Mission in Seagoe School on Thursday,

October 25th, at 8 p.m.

A special meeting of the Select Vestry will be

held in Seagoe School on Monday, November 12th,

to consider the subject of a, Memorial to the late

Mr. Wolsey Atkinson,

A Christmas Sale on behalf of the Parochial Hall

will (D. V.) be held in the Parochial Hall on Friday,

December 14th.

We record with regret the death of Mrs. Gordon,

of Lower Seagoe, and express sympathy with her

bereaved son and daughter, who recently had to

mourn the death of a brother,

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

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

(Continued from October Magazine.)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12th—Continued.

Fancy, the average daily consumption of ammunition on the Somme since July 1st has been ten thousand tons! I find I can get Shill. appointed 2nd in Command from August 21, and Ensor Temp. Captain from same date, and Given from July 2nd. Quite a nice day. Gen. very affable. Small party here, only two A.D.C.’s, G.S.O. 1 and 2, and Comyn. Very comfy large room and good bed, electric light and bathroom. Had a good strafe on yesterday about men’s washing place at Bulford, and have fairly stirred ‘em all up! I read yesterday’s ‘Times’ at 9.30 p.m. last night. Pretty good. The R.E. and Pioneers were heavily strafed over the flood! Why, I can’t think, I suppose they should have control over the elements. Had my hair cut today by Saunderson’s servant, who was a hairdresser at N. Counties Hotel, and is in the 16th Pioneers. Did I tell you potatoes are getting very scarce?

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13th.

Got back at 10.30 a.m., in a car. Battalion Parade at 11.00 a.m., quite good, which was marvellous as it was the first we’d had for six months, I think, and I got about 360 men on parade. Lovely day. Things are fairly humming now with regard to washing place, cookers and tables and forms for the Camp. ‘Q.’, R.E. and medicos all buzzing round. I got back from ‘B’ Mess in time to have a chat with Keane. Charlie Hope ’s father left £400,000, besides £20,000 a year! Very pleasant dinner; such a nice lot. I enjoyed my week-end. We played 12th at rugger, Saturday 11th, and beat them. They are very sore. A young officer in the Brigade was killed on patrol two nights ago, and another shot through the lungs.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14th.

A dull day. The whole Battalion marches to B_____ for a beano—cinema and follies. Wander round town, tea, and home about 8.00 p.m. Rather an effort, but the men will like it. Hope it will keep fine. Cramsie has rejoined the 12th. They are fearfully short of old officers, only about three of the original ones left. 13th and 11th much the same. We, I think, are a little better. C has been Brigade Intelligence Officer for a year. More R.E. buzzing round this morning laying on the water to ablution room and fixing up overhead cover, etc. A fair move on now. Good news about Beaumont Hamel. Can’t say now how things are doing, but I don’t think any great strategical advantage has been gained. It will take long yet, and England will have to strain every nerve to win a real victory. The danger is a stale-mate, and that gets more possible, I fear, as time goes on. We roughly get three leaves a week! and 214 have not been home yet, of those who came out with us. I told Div. H.Q. it was absurd to strafe R.E. and 16th over the flood.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15th.

The day’s outing was quite a success; fine day. Marched direct to theatre, one hour concert, one hour cinema, and then one hour the men did what they liked, and loved strolling round and looking at shops. I took refuge in one of the Corps’ messes with Wilson and Berry, and had tea. We all fell in at 6.00 p.m. and were home by 7.30 p.m. I got you a handkerchief—it’s Bailleul or Valenciennes lace. We’ve had three different Divs. on our right since 109th left. Don’t quite know when they return. Lovely day but a biting wind. Not looking forward much to new H.Q. in Line. Savage said it was desperate work getting round the line and exhausted him. We’ve had Div. Band to play us on the road yesterday, and playing this a.m., and the men are all the better for their six days’ rest.

10.00 p.m. We got in here all right and are now in the new H.Q.—a long barn with a concrete shell, and pillars down middle. A good deal wants doing to it, but I think we can make it all right. It’s rather vault-like and draughty at present. A cold, frosty night; feels like snow. This day last year we had our first heavy snow fall and the long march. It’s a desperate trek round the front line from here. My abode here is actually larger than the Elephant. Of course it’s very easy on relief night.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16th.

Lovely sunny day, after frost. Very comfy night. Getting the place fixed up. Just back from a three hours’ trudge round the lines. Not so bad as I expected. Downs done a good deal of work. I went out after lunch to visit one of the support Coys, ‘B,’ which took 1½ hours. So am pleasantly tired after much pedestrian exercise. It was a lovely day for walking. Frost again tonight. Already the H.Q. is looking more comfy; tables fixed up and tablecloths. Good stove fixed, and another going in, two good lamps. We are getting chairs; canvas for the walls. The concrete is so cold and sweats. Another stove, and blanket curtains. After that I expect it will be quite cosy. The Downs’ had done good work in the line. The Padre and Shill are splendid and planning things for H.Q. Shill. is simply untiring, was round the whole of the front and support line before breakfast, and came round with me in the morning. I believe they’ve given Military Medal to two N.C.O.’s whose names went in in May! One was poor Foster, from Lurgan, who was killed, and the other Sergeant Palmer, the Scout. Apparently their names were in ‘Times’ of 13th November and Div. has asked me to verify their numbers. Why this delay?

FRIDAY, 17th.

Sharp white frost, and sunny morning. Quiet night with us. Shelves going up in my room, and tables. Things getting ship-shape. Bundle 308 pairs socks came. Another cloudless day, but bitter E. wind. I am the senior C.O. in the Division now. ‘19th Century’, ‘Contemporary’, ‘Fortnightly’ came today, and Burroughs’ book, ‘ The Fight for the Future ’, in which the Padre is now absorbed.

9.30 p.m. Weather changing, and I expect rain before morning. Did similar trek today. Front line from 10.00 a.m.-1.00 p.m., and support from 3.00—4.30 p.m. I am making Jimmy Shepherd Sergeant Cook and am sending him on a cooking course. We want a reliable man supervising the cooks, to see the most is made of the rations. Our late Sergt. Cook, a treasure, has gone to England sick. M’Kane, R.S.M., also gone, and Turner, Pratt’s friend from Remounts, got his place.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18th.

A little snow in the night, and frost again. More snow coming, very cold. Quiet night. Two men slightly wounded yesterday by shrapnel in arm and shoulder. It turned to cold rain about 11.00 a.m., and has continued all day. A miserable day and E. wind—bitter. The ground with a bone in it, and greasy on top. With the thaw of course, trenches falling in, and work carried on under the worst conditions. Yes, I take it they have Beaucourt Station, chateau, and village. Don’t know about Redoubt. The guns seem to have done well. Really the flood was not so bad as it sounds, it might have been much worse; pouring rain, and heavy shelling. No sign of general leave yet. No, we shall not return to the Elephant. The risk of a flood is imminent. Lloyd has got Y.C.V.’s. I read the article in the ‘Times’ of November 11th, and loved it. Have recommended Mat Espie and Campbell both to go to Cadet School for six weeks before being commissioned.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19th.

Rain most of the night and still. River rising. Glad we’re back here. Pratt’s raid on a large scale (200). Great success. Got in, took prisoners, much equipment, maps, papers, etc., and killed many. Wind S.W., warmer.

4.00 p.m. Went all round Front and Support line this a.m., and having an easy time this afternoon. River very high, but if no more rain comes should be going down before morning. It’s still rising, and some of the bridges are flooded, and trenches full of water. The Temporary appointments carry the pay with them. There is already a 5th Army, and maybe a 6th. Div. H.Q. were not optimistic about an early end of the war, another year certain, and two possibly. The strafe about men’s washing places effective. When we left the camp pipes were being laid down, a building was being erected, and I hope when we get back all will be well. Yesterday one of our Sergts. shot a carrier pigeon that had settled on our parapet, about 20 yards from him (wonderful good shot). A German cipher message found in a small metal case on its leg, and German marks on its wing. Sent it on to the Corps. I doubt if they will decipher the code, but it proves the existence of a carrier pigeon service. It has not rained today since morning, so I trust the river will be down before the morning. It was very high about 6.00 p.m. Rea, my Assistant Adjt. has got a go of bronchitis, and Ozzard has also pushed off to hospital.

(To be continued.)