October 1920

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

OCTOBER, 1920.

Harvest Thanksgiving Services,

The Services of Thanksgiving for the Harvest will

be held in the Parish Church, as follows—

Thursday, October 7th, at 8 p.m.

Preacher—Rev. J. R. MacDonald, M.A., Rector of

Donacloney, Offerings for Foreign Missions,

Sunday, October 10th, at 11-30 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Preacher—Rev. John Taylor, M.A., Rector of St.

Jude's, Belfast. Offerings for Parochial Expenses

Fund.

Gifts of Fruit and Flowers for the decoration of

the Church are asked for, and ma,y be sent to the

Church on Thursday morning, October 7th, from 10

to 11 0'clock.

District Harvest Services.

These Services have been arranged as follows—

Carne—Sunday, October 3rd, at 3-30,

Monday. October 4th, at 8.

Levaghery—Sunday, October 17th, at 3-30.

Monday, October 18th at 8.

Drumgor——Sunday, October 24th. at 3-30.

Monday, October 25th. at 8.

Edenderry—Sunday, October 31st, at 3-30.

Monday, November 1st, at 8.

The Offerings at the above Services will on

the Sundays be given to the local School Expenses,

and on the Mondays to Foreign Missions.

Carrickblacker,

We regret to announce that Colonel and Mrs.

Blacker and family are about to leave the Parish.

They have let Carrickblacker for a term of five years

and intend in a few weeks to leave for England. For

the past 15 years they have been resident amongst us

and during that time, and especially during the dark

days of war, many close ties of sympathy and friendship

have been formed between them and the

Parishioners. Their absence will leave a great blank

in our parish life,and we must look forward beyond the

years to the time when the old home will see them

once again,

G.F.S.

The Seagoe Girls' Friendly Society, per Miss

Calvert, have given a very liberal subscription of £5

towards the G,F.S. Rostrevor Rest Home. It is made

up as follows—Mrs Atkinson, Eden Villa, 5s; Mrs

Thomas Shanks, 5s; Mrs Nevins 2s 6d ; A Friend,

2s 6d, Misses Rebecca Calvert, £l ; — Monro, 2s 6d:

L. Monro, 2s 6d; Mary England, 1s 6d; Lily England,

1s 6d; Ellen England, Is 6d; Mary M'Cormick, 2s 6d;

Jane E. Acheson, 2s; Fanny Ryane,

2s; Minnie Ryans, 2s ; Emily Neill, 2s ; Rachel Black,

2s; Sarah Montgomery, 2s 6d ; Dinah Montgomery,

2s 6d ; Sarah E. Thompson, 2s ; Rebecca Livingstone,

2s; Annie Currie, 2s; Sarah J. Currie, 2s; Martha

Gordon, Charlotte McMurroy, and Mrs Livingstone,

2s. Total—£3 12s 0d

Seagoe War Memorials

In the Subscription List recently published the

following corrections are made—Wilson Irwin and

Miss Irwin, £5, W, Campbell should read David

Campbell, £5.

ITEMS.

Edenderry has recently lost one of its oldest inhabitants

by the death of Mr. Arthur Allen, who has

passed away at the advanced age of 86 years. A large

attendance of relatives and others were present at the

interment in Seagoe. Mr. Allen was 8 native of

Caledon, Co. Tyrone. His kindly and genial manner

had mode him very popular with all in Edenderry,

and he will be much missed in the neighbourhood,

Sums received—Mission Week—Miss C. Price,

Ballinacor, 9s 6d ; Lisniskey Collection, 6s making

total, £10 12s 7d,

Will Collectors for the Protestant Orphan Society

please return their Cards without delay and oblige.

Mr Devine, of Knock, whose death was recorded in

our August issue, had resided in the parish since his

retirement from the post of National School Teacher.

He was a man with a sterling christian character,and

of much ability. During a, vacancy in the Curacy

of the Parish some years ago, he most kindly offered

his services as a visitor in the Parish. His son, the

Rev. T. G. Devine, holds Curacy in the Diocese of

Manchester.

There was great enthusiasm in Edenderry on

Saturday evening when the Edenderry Football Club

won the Molocco Cup and Gold Medals. This is the

second Cup they have won, which is record for

Edenderry. Our hearty congratulations to the

Edenderry Boys on their plucky win.

Presentation to Mr. Wilson.

On Thursday,September 30th, the Choir of Seagoe

presented Mr. T. H. Wilson, the esteemed Organist of

the Parish Church, with a handsome gift of a Silver

Kettle and Lamp, The Presentation was made by

the Rector at a very happy Social in Seagoe School.

In making the Presentation Canon Archer referred to

Mr. Wilson's long and honourable association with

Seagoe Church as Organist, extending over a period

Of 46 years, during which lengthened period he has

won well deserved popularity for his kindly and

patient manner with the choir, and for the effciency

of his musical attainments. Mr, Wilson replied,

expressing his affection for Seagoe and the Choir.

Games and music occupied the evening until a late

hour, when all separated after the singing of a hymn.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

A nswers to September Puzzles.

Hidden Towns and Rivers.

1 Dover, 2 Forfar, 3 Boyne, 4 Test, 5 Forth.

Square Word—

W E R E

E V E N

R E E D

E N D S

Beheaded Words—B -all, B—at, R—an, I—and,

I—t, N—itch.

October Puzzles.

Behead fright and leave part of the body.

Behead a dance and leave a fish.

Behead floating and leave the laundry.

Behead tidy and leave beef or mutton.

Behead shout and leave shout.

Behead luxury of the breakfast table and leave a

beast of burden.

The beheaded letters if placed in order will spell

the name of country in Europe.

Presentation.

Mrs Neill (formerly Miss Montgomery, of Levaghery),

was recently presented with a Silver Teapot,

by her many friends and well-wishers. The

presentation wrs made at a social meeting in Levaghery

School, presided over by the Rev. H. G. de L. Singleton.

Seagoe Scouts.

A Troop of Seagoe Scouts is about to be formed.

Boys from the age of 11 to 18 will be eligible to join.

PARISH REGISTER for SEPT.

Baptisms,

Greenhalgh—-August 2nd, 1920, at St. James Church, Neepawa, Manitoba, Canada,

Walter Henry, son of Hubert Charles and Margaret Greenhalgh, of Neepawa, Canada.

Sponsors—George Burnett, Hubert C. Greenhalgh, Mabel Burnett.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church, on September 4th, 1920—

Coulter—William John, son of John and Annie Coulter, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Sarah Coulter, Anne Coulter.

Saunderson —William, son of Benjamin and Mary Saunderson, of Killicomaine.

Sponsors—Mary Anne Quinn, Mary Saunderson.

Marriages

Webb and Parr—September 16th, 1920, Thomas Edward Webb, of Edenderry,

to Mary Ellen Parr, of Edenderry.

Burials,

Lutton September 10th, Sarah, Widow of the late Andrew J. Lutton. of Edenderry, aged 100 years.

[Mrs. Lutton was Baptised in Seagoe Parish Church on Sunday, October 1st, 1820.]

Cochrane—September 21st, Mary Anne Cochrane of Ballyhannon, aged 66 years.

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE,

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

[Continued from September Magazine.]

Saturday, 4th Dec., 1915.

Rained all night. This life in 'billets in winter

is wretchedly uncomfortable for the men, and so little

means of improving their lot. They get wet day after

day, and no means Of drying their clothes. Up to

their ankles in mud if they stir out; 'food not too good,

I mean not enough potatoes and vegetables, and

constant short ration of bread, and very indifferent at

that ; always a proportion of bully beef, 25 p.c.

generally, and of biscuit, which they loathe. Dark

at 4 p.m. and nothing to do. Reading room so small

and no other to be had,and they absolutely loathe this

playing at soldiers. Field days, digging, etc. Today

was finer, rain most of a.m. and fine p.m.: water

everywhere.

Sunday, 5th Dec,

The General (Hacket Pain) has gone. Came

to say "good bye," was very broke at going and I felt

very much for him I am sorry for the Brigade; he

knew us all and had been with us from the start.

Adjutant goes tomorrow. It has turned into a wet

p.m., and reams more have come in about arrangements

for baths, I think eatables are most

acceptable for Xmas. Fergie is getting turkeys and

geese. Bread is still a difficulty—sodden and short

in supply. They'd spend all their money on bread.

Monday, 6th Dec.

Adjutant went off this morning at 9-30 a.m. He

was very broke at leaving and I was quite lumpy

myself. He has been such a componion. I shall

miss him fearfully. I trust the good work he has done

in the Battalion will live on. I gave him a chit to

the Indian Office and have published a farewell Order.

AG.. CM. this a.m.

We are very busy starting Battalion baths,

washing places, and drying rooms and mending rooms,

regular laundry. Everything having to be improvised.

Fergie hard,at it. We have got a Belgian

coup e to come out and run a coffee bar for the men

three times a week to start with, and if a success

every day. In all these shows Fergie is simply in—

valuable.

Tuesday. 7th Dec.

Fine a m. ; wild wet p.m. Griffths, the new

Brigadier (was in the Bedfordshires) came to see us.

Interior economy for same are to take the place of all

training, is the latest order ! Our , arrangement for

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

men's baths caused an amusing episode—-two men

had to dig a large hole for pit for bath water, in .the

kitchen garden. Marguerite, the caretaker, came in

tears after lunch, at the idea of the soldiers bathing

in this hole and running wild and naked through

Madame's vegetables ! We calmed her and gave her

5 francs. She spoke so fast it was hard to make out

at what she was alarmed at first.

I thought she

meant the hole was damaging her garden ; finally I

gathered what she was driving at, but not before the

flock of us—Platt, Padre, Fergie, Berry, Stronge,

Cather and self had adjourned to the kitchen garden.

The interpreter only remained a week. Much

happier without one.

Only just back from Gen. C,M. 6-45, and have to

go again tomorrow. Evelyn Woods' son, who was

on the stage, appeared as the prisoner's friend. He

is now a Gunner Captain. Saw Ricardo and

Hessey.

The Colonial Dr. was acquitted. Five brothers

serving, and bad paid his own passage back : from

Jo'burg, where he was living since the S. X. war. An

Australian. At the end he said "I was always told a

Military Court Martial was absolutely fair. Now I

know it." So we may have done a good day's work

Imperially. Rumours of a move and possibly into

another army.

Thursday, 9th Dec.

Been on C.M. all a.m. and just back. Temporarily

I am beginning a new service for Offcers' letters.

Wet, pouring again.

Still rumours of a move soon.

Fergie in bed to-day. Had neuralgia and looking

seedy. Am disturbed about him. No report yet from

General about Trench work. Don't send out any

more things yet ; if we move we leave tons behind as

it is. We are really very comfy here indeed as regards

billets, etc. Don't want any more food.

It never ceased raining all day. Such a deluge.

The new long Trench boots and Trench coat kept me

quite dry, riding 4 miles to 6 miles. Am trying a

route march again to-morrow, if the weather is only

fine. Various small things seem to point to a big

move being on the tapis. Fergie better this evening.

They've suddenly sent us an interpreter today.

Seems a quiet sort of bloke, but strangely ugly. We

have done very well for six weeks without one.

"Strafe" is the great word out here. also "stunt" for

any sort of show—-American I believe. The regulars

are only Militia with men of about six months service.

All their N.C.O.'s and Officers gone. that's why

their discipline is bad. Yes, ours is quite good now.

The N.C.O.'s are our weak point. No chance of

getting a Regular Adjutant. Cather is doing quite

well. We are the first Division to go into the Line,

if they move any out for rest, as already they have

the 7th, in we go and I fancy we shall go soon.

Friday, Dec. 10th.

Curiously similar our weather seems be. Wednesday

was a fine sunny day. Today turned out

quite fine, after threatening a.m. Warm,

slack weather. Such marvellous reams of orders

instructions as to providing dining halls with stages.

etc., etc„ roll in every evening. Beautiful in theory,

but quite impossible to carry out for two reasons —1. All

barns not already occupied by troops are full of unthreshed

wheat, and the people quite naturally refuse

to clear them out. 2. No materials supplied to build

ablution shelters, stages, etc. If one asks for planks

one is directed to a wood to cut down small trees!

and told it has to be done.

Saturday. 11th Dec.

The new Brigadier sent for C.O.'S to-day and

had long talk on training, interior economy. etc„

Pouring wet a.m., drenching showers, fine now. Feel

sure we shall move soon.

Such torrential rain this a.m., that there was &

foot of water in the village street ! Yes, I think the

discipline of the Battalion is improved and is improving

out here. The spirit of " sticking it " is becoming

more prevalent, greatly fostered 'by the Padre. For

instance it is the boast of "D" Company that one of

their Platoons, all Monaghan countrymen, have never

had a man fall. out on the march since we came to

France. Gibson commands the platoon, and Berge

Hughes is platoon Sergt. He is excellent. The

N C.O's have been changed from their own Company

localities, whenever possible, and it has always

answered, tho' met with much opposition, and even

in some. cases. An excellent letter from Jimmy

Shepherd to George Calvert.

We have plenty of games and books for recreation

room now. Fuel is getting a diffculty, there's

a scarcity of coal. has been reduced. At the

same time these baths and laundry operations entail

a much,increased consumption. Drying the washed

clothes is a great. difficulty. The Battalion would do

splendidly with a young energetic Regular who knew

this warfare and could train the men in it.

The Division are buying a cinema apparatus

travel round the Battalions. The General asked me

if I had a good business man, knowledgeable about

electricity, to go to Paris to buy dynamos, etc.,

suggested Lutton. An officer is also to go on a short

tour to various H.Q.'s Base. Parks. etc , to see

the Army is worked, and to impart the knowledge on

return.

Sunday, Dec. 12th.

I shall send Shillington. We are living very

well. I don't think we ought to get more luxuries

from F. and M. We really don't want them. Of

course, they are oaten, but I don't think we ought to

get too many. Really we don't want them. G.O.C.

told me the Battalion had a good report from the

Trenches, but I fancy nothing is coming

Don't want books, barely time for A youth.

Seggie, by name, from 3rd Battalion, at Buncrana.

arrived today to join. Was in Public School

Battalion with Cather. Sent here by D.A.G.

Base; curious. He says 7th and 8th Battalions

did not come out with 16th Division.

SEAGOE PARISH MAGAZINE.

Their Brigade was kept back, not being sufficiently

trained. Fine today and colder. We had service

outside. Padre gave us a splendid sermon. He

always does. They ask today for a Sub. to train as

Staff Captain. I have suggested Brew, not having a

Sub.

Monday, Dec. 13th.

Bright, and cold wind. to-day. Strict orders sent

out about no naked lights, smoking, etc., in places

where hay is stored, but the men cannot sit in darkness

without smoking, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Must

try and get lanterns, but cannot carry them about,

The men are really so splendid and keen to learn. I

feel more and more the responsibility of their lives ;

and such myriads of instructions come in every day,

hard to assimilate and get the best benefit out of them

for .the men.

Am just starting off on afternoon's inspection of

ablution places, etc., instead of looking after the

men's training. And we are at war

Tuesday, Dec. 14th.

We did a practice march, packing up everything,

what we can and storing remainder. and move

out, everyone, bag and baggage, for a Route March.

The idea is to gee how much we have not got

transport for. Stores of all sorts have accumulated

here, skin coats, extra blankets, clothing, etc. I had

all preparations made, and at 12 noon came a wire

to gay " postponed till Thursday, at 5 p.m." Another

wire to say it was on after after all. Most interesting

letter from Repington in the Times." His 2nd

was more hopeful for us, but they are a long way off

being beaten yet, or starved, or even unduly short.

of Practice March was 7 waggon loads left

behind ! Brigadier came and inspected us en route,

also state of billets ; both satisfactory. Lovely, fine,

frosty, healthy day.

Wednesday, Dec. 15th.

Such a bitter cold day, glass falling, and

beginning now to However, we've had 8 fine

days running. Today managed to get 3 Companies

at useful training—musketry—one Company firing

Gas Helmets on—somewhat dangerous to the inhabitants.

One Company building sandbag

parapets. One Company Bombing. The whole of

C " ordered away to a wood, about 5 miles off, to

gut wood. I Shall be awfully sorry to lose Shillington.

He has done such good work in D " (but I dare

not face the responsibility of keeping him out here

any longer). The Reserve Battalion are 520 strong

now ; they move to Newtownards today, and 1 officer

and 50 men to Armagh. Colonel FitzGerald says

the 1st Battalion speak highly of us, Yes, the people

are quite friendly and nice here, and the Maire most

helpful. Haven't seen Madame Notary since, but she

is coming on Sunday.

Thursday, Dec. 16th.

A fine day after wet night, and not nearly so

raw. Good work done, as we were again undisturbed,

The coffee shop run by the Belgians seems to be

going on all right. Of course they charge a bib too

much, and I am cutting them down. The cafe

proprietors in the village are angry at custom being

removed from them, and the Maire came about it

but I said they had the chance of supplying the

goods. and didn't take it. Of course, they haven't

got the things, and are only intent on selling alcohol

and many men would never go inside B cafe, and they

wouldn't start a food or coffee bar away from the

cafe.

Friday, Dec. 17th.

A damp morning, but we could carry on with

everything outside, only mist, but it has turned into

a soaking p.m. Barker, tho H.Q. Chaplain, came to

see Padre. How lucky we are not to be in the

Trenches this weather. We are very near the turn

of the year, and every day without a move is day

gained. These long nights in the Trench line are very

trying.

My kit has grown to such enormous dimensions

that it will have to be cut down to approximate

100 lbs. for a long move.

Saturday, Dec. 18th.

Fergie gays men want handkerchiefs. Very few

here, and not an issue ; any colour except white.

They are more necessary than anything; plenty of

mitts now, and mufflers, socks, but don't send any

more yet. Imagine, I have been watching a football

match between us and the Lancs. Fus. We won 5—1.

I had a 2 hour Battalion Parade this morning, which

I found they wonted badly. Dull, foggy, damp day.

Sunday, Dec. 19th.

Bright sunny day, with cold wind,

Arranging for places for Xmas dinners is a difficulty,

so hard to find any place that will hold more than 50

men. In our last village the old Maire sent in a bill

It required a bit of

for damages, for 3,000 francs.

answering, but I know, and I hope showed, we were

not to blame, and the damage is hopelessly over

estimated. Many of the French are on the make. Here

they are very nice and pleasant, but in some places

they are grasping and greedy. I daresay at home they

would be just the same. but it makes things more

difficult.

Monday, Dec. 20th.

Don't believe yarn of our leaving France, but of

course everything is possible. I hear H. P. has got a

Res Bde. 12th tell me their Tinned Milk Fund has

been converted into getting extra vegetables for the

men. They are most needed. Am keeping and feel"

ing very fit, and sleeping splendidly. 5 messages

came in last night from 9 p.m. to 2-30 a.m. saying

Zep. had been sighted near Ypres, then Armentieres,

annoying, as we could do nothing here anyway. Had

to meet Brigadier at 12 this morning. New scheme

of building a hut to hold 1,500 men for the cinema,

and a Central Recreation Room for the 12th and ourselves.

(To be Continued.)