October 1922

Seagoe Parish Magazine.

OCTOBER, 1922.

Colonel Blacker's Letters.

In this issue of the Magazine we print the sad record

of the losses in the 9th Battalion on July 1st, 1916. It is

a heartrending story, and will stir the hearts of all who

read it. Years may pass but the deeds of those who

shared in that Great Advance will never be forgotten.

The Harvest Services.

These Services will be held in the Parish Church on

Thursday, October 5th, at 8, and on Sunday, October 8th,

at 11.30 and 7. The Preacher on Thursday will be the

Rev. E A. Myles, M.A., Rector of Tullylish, and on

Sunday the Rev. F. B. Aldwell, LL.D., Rector of Aghalee,

The offerings on Thursday will be in aid of Foreign

Missions, and on Sunday on behalf of the Parochial Fund.

District Harvest Services.

HACKNAHAY—Sunday, October 1st, at 3.30.

,, Monday, October 2nd, at 8. Preacher,

the Rev. Dr. Orr, LL.D., Rector of

Gilford.

CARNE —Sunday, October 1st, at 3.30.

,, Monday, October 2nd, at 8. Preacher, the Rev.

G. C. Johnston, Curate of Shankill.

DRUMGOR — Sunday, October 15th, at 3.30.

Monday, October 16, at 8.

EDENDERRY— Sunday, October 22nd, at 3.30

,, Monday, 23rd October, at 8.

LEVAGHERY— Sunday, October 29th, at 3.30.

,, Monday, October 30th, at 8.

Sunday School Teachers' Excursion.

The Teachers had an enjoyable Excursion to Bangor on

Saturday, September 23rd. They left the Parochial Hall

by Motor Charabanc at 8.30. The weather was perfect.

On arrival at Bangor a Meat Tea was ready at the Carlton

Cafe, and with an appetite whetted by the 35 mile drive

the excursionists appreciated it to the full. During the

day the members walked to the Pickie and to Ballyholme,

enjoying the splendid sea views. At 6.30 a start was

made for home and all reached the Parochial Hall safely

about 9 o'clock. The Hacknahay G.F.S. accompanied the

Excursion with their Associate, Miss Calvert.

Next year (D. V.) we hope to have another Teachers'

Excursion, perhaps to Portrush.

The Mothers' Union.

The Mothers have had several very pleasant gatherings

during the past month. On the first Tuesday they were

most hospitably entertained to tea in Seagoe School by

Mrs. Sands, Mrs. Stoops and Mrs. Vance. There was a

large gathering, and after tea Mrs. Johnston and Miss

Johnston sang, and Miss Stevenson recited. A visit to the

Parish Church was then made, and the Rector pointed

out the interesting features in the Church and its

furniture. After a further short Musical interval in the

School the members separated after a very pleasant

afternoon. Miss Collen made all the arrangements for the

Meeting. Meetings have also been held in Carne and

Drumgor. At the former Miss Taylor, of the Child

Welfare Centre, gave a most useful address on “Health."

The Rev. A. O. Draper spoke at Drumgor on Preparation

for Holy Communion.

Mothers' Union Excursion.

On Wednesday, October 4th, an Excursion of the

Mothers' Union will take place by Motor Charabanc to

Armagh. The Charabanc will leave the Parochial Hall

for Armagh at 1.30 sharp, and will be back at the Hall at

7.30. Tea will be provided in Armagh. The Ticket for

the Excursion, including Tea, will be 4s. Seats must be

booked in advance in Edenderry with Mrs. David Johnston,

1 Carrickblacker Road, in Carne with Mrs. Draper,

and in Drumgor with Mrs. M’Cullough, Balteagh.

Miss Macoun, a Missionary of the Zenana Medical

Missionary Society, will give an Address to the Mothers'

Union in Edenderry Parochial Hall on Tuesday, October

3rd, at 4 o'clock. Miss Macoun's Lecture will be of great

interest, and the Mothers' Union is to be congratulated

on having secured such an interesting speaker for this

meeting. Miss Macoun is a daughter of Mr. John Ritchie

Macoun, formerly of Mountpleasant, Drumgor.

A Children's Service.

On Sunday, September 10th, at Morning Prayer, a

Children's Service was held in the Parish Church. The

Hymns and Collects were chosen with the young people

in mind, and the Sermon on “The Garden of our Life,"

preached by the Rector, was specially addressed to the

children present. Our next Children's Service will be

held at Morning Prayer on Sunday, October 15th. We

invite Parents to be present with their Children.

Collection for the Poor.

There are always a considerable number of people in

this Parish who are not eligible for Pensions, but who

for one reason or another are without sufficient means of

support. Hitherto the only source of relief for such persons

comes from the offerings given at Holy Communion

and on Christmas Day. We have recently lost a generous

subscriber to the Poor Fund. The sum now received

is insufficient to cover the many claims on the Fund, and

the Rector has arranged to discontinue the Collection at

Holy Communion and to invite offerings at the Offertory

on the 1st Sunday of each month, beginning on Sunday,

October 1st, at Morning and Evening Prayer.

Parish Register for September,

Baptisms.

The following were Baptized in Seagoe Parish Church

on September 2nd, 1922: —

Wilson—Joseph Henry, son of Leonard and Mary Anne

Wilson, of Ballymacrandle.

Sponsors—Sarah Mary Livingstone, Mary Anne

Livingstone.

Robinson – Hampton, son of Joseph and Mary Robinson,

of Tamnificarbet.

Sponsors—Mary Forde, Mary Robinson.

Hewitt—Edna Alice, daughter of Moses and Rachel Jane

Hewitt, of Edenderry.

Sponsors—Alice Hewitt, Lily Hewitt.

Gracey - Mabel and Irene, twin daughters of William and

Rebecca Gracey, of Balteagh

Sponsors—Kathleen Frances Hoy, Rebecca Gracey.

RECEIVED INTO THE CONGREGATION.

Johnston—Edith Louisa, daughter of James and Elizabeth

Johnston, of Kernan, having been already Privately

Baptized was Publicly Received into the Congregation

on September 2nd, 1922.

Sponsors—Matilda Johnston, Elizabeth Johnston.

GOLDEN WEDDING.

Atkinson and Archer—On September 10th, 1872, at St.

Peter's Church, Dublin, by the Rev. Maurice

H. Atkinson, Solicitor, elder son of the late

Edward D. Atkinson, Esq., Tandragee, to

Maria Bolton, third daughter of the late Bunbury

Archer, Esq., Ballyseskin, Co. Wexford.

Deaths.

Atkinson—On September 4th, 1922, Carleton Richard

Buckby Atkinson, M.B.E., late H.B.M. Vice-Consul

Tetuan, Morocco, aged 32 years, only son

of the late John Buckby Atkinson, of Portadown,

and of Mrs. Atkinson, 2 Harrington Gardens,

London, S.W.

Cooke—September 11th, suddenly, at the Royal Victoria

Hospital, Belfast, the Rev. Ralph Bullick Cooke,

M.A., Rector of All Saints', Belfast, and formerly

of this Parish. Aged 70 years. Interred at Seagoe

on September 14th, 1922.

Death of Mr. Carleton Atkinson.

We record with deep regret the death of Mr. Carleton

Richard Buckby Atkinson, O.B.E., only son of the late

Mr. John Buckby Atkinson. Some years ago, Mr. Atkinson

entered the Diplomatic Service and was appointed to

a responsible post, in Morocco. Last Christmas he paid a

visit to Seagoe and seemed to be in good health, but a

serious illness developed, and despite medical skill he

passed away on Monday, September 4th. He was buried

at Bedford. The people of Seagoe will sympathise deeply

with Mrs. J. B. Atkinson and his relatives in their

bereavement. The death of one so young and promising

is very sad. “He asked life of Thee and gavest him

life even for ever and ever."

Congratulations.

Our hearty congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. W. H.

Atkinson, of Clarisford, on their Golden Wedding, the

anniversary of which occurred on Sunday, September

10th. We hope someday we will have the pleasure of

congratulating them on their Diamond Wedding. We

wish them God's blessing and much further happiness in

the days to come.

Death of the Rev. R. B. Cooke.

The Rev. Ralph Bullick Cooke, M.A., Rector of All

Saints', Belfast, passed away with great suddenness on

Monday, September 11th, He had been suffering for about

two years from weak action of the heart, but was able

to carry on the exacting work of a large Belfast Parish.

He got suddenly ill in the Vestry of his Church on the

Monday morning, but rallied during the day. He was

brought to the Royal Victoria Hospital (an Institution in

which he was always greatly interested), and the Doctors

were very hopeful about him, but at a quarter to eleven

that night had a second seizure and passed away almost

at once. The interment took place on Thursday, 14th,

in Old Seagoe Graveyard. Several of those who knew

him in the old days in this Parish attended the Funeral,

among them Mr. John Montgomery and Mr. Joe Monroe.

The Service at the grave was taken by the Rev. Canon

Archer and the Rev. J. M'Curry, Curate of All Saints.

Many beautiful wreaths were placed on the grave. Mr.

Cooke was always greatly attached to Seagoe, and nothing

delighted him more than to visit his native Parish. He

lies in the old burying place where so many of his ancestors

are buried. We shall long remember his kindly good

humour and genial sympathy of manner. The Church in

his death has lost a stalwart champion of the Faith.

Communicants' Class.

This Class, for those recently Confirmed and others, was

held in Seagoe School on Monday, September 25th, at 8.

An address was given by the Rev. A. O. Draper on

“Preparation for Holy Communion." The next meeting will

be held (D.V.) on Monday, November 13, in Seagoe School

at 8 o'clock.

ITEMS.

The Rev. I. E. Davidson preached in Seagoe on Sunday,

September 17th, on behalf of the Church of Ireland Jews

Society.

***

Mrs. Hall Hewitt, of Tamnificarbet, who is 92 years of

age, has recently been enjoying a holiday with her

daughter in Belfast.

***

Miss Ellen Matthews, of 21 James St., has sailed for

Ayre, Queensland, Australia, on the "Orvieto." She

will reside with her brother. Mr. Moses Matthews.

***

We have now many families of refugees residing in the

Parish. It is pitiable that such fine loyal people should

be driven from their homes. Their lot is a sad one.

WITH THE "NINTH" IN FRANCE.

By Lieut.-Co1. S. W. BLACKER, D.S.O.

(Continued from September Magazine.)

TUESDAY, JUNE 27th, 1916.

Shill. goes out of the line as we have got our 20 allowed.

A disturbed night; had to withdraw 1 Company owing

to suspected mine, in the middle of the night and rain.

We are rather a crowd in consequence.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28th.

3 p.m.—A wet night, and raining today. Everything

very messy. Since we came in we have had 39

casualties.

I Didn't Go Up in a 'Plane After all.

They have been trying to find the Elephant all this p.m.

with 5.9's, and some have come within a few yards. A

change tonight, and I may win Pak's bet! G. N has

issued an order of the day—quite good. It has been thick

and raining all day. Pres'd ration and Bully Beef and

Biscuit, but Fergie brought up bread, tinned milk, etc.

So, while other Bns. have had nothing but rations for a

week our men have done well.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29th.

2 p.m.—I shall just win my bet with Pak. Owing to hard

time we were relieved last night to get the men rested.

Came back very short distance. Such a wonderful scene.

The heavens alight for miles with discharge of guns, and

a continuous roar, which goes on without ceasing. Downs'

did a good raid; brought out 13 prisoners, 1 Officer, and

penetrated a long way. A chance big shell caught a platoon

of them last night and killed 14 and wounded 30—

Bob slightly, Adjt. severely. We had 6 killed and 33

wounded while we were in. All day yesterday they were

trying to find the Elephant; came very close but didn’t

succeed. Fergie has fed the men splendidly, and they

are in good form. 11th had a bad time—100 casualties,

and standing in wet trenches for 5 days, on bully beef.

Oliver paid us a visit at dejeuner today, 12 noon, and

sat and talked while we ate. Very affable and optimistic.

I took the opportunity of telling him some points which

he promised to see to. I think everything promises well.

George Bruce came to see us about 11 a.m. (I was in bed!)

Full of chat. One more comfy night. Fine last night,

but threatening rain now—warm. I used ear protectors

last night, the noise here is worse than in the line. I

am getting up my valise for a comfy night, and a change.

Ugh! I'm so dirty. I wonder how you are getting

these letters Thanks to Fergie we've got them away

each day. No one else has in the line. I got in at 2

a.m. wet to the knees. Everyone resting, such a relief

to have nothing to do. Fergie brought in letters, papers

and parcels, so we are well provided. News good today;

especially from our immediate front. Roads and

tracks very bad. School treat today, I believe. 9.30 p.m.

—We had 6 casualties to-day—2 severe and 4 slightly

wounded, but it’s been a great rest to the men, from the

wet and discomfort of the line. I hear Bob Maxwell is

in hospital after all, but wound only slight. The Adjt.

severe in groin. I don't expect I shall get another letter

off after this for a day or two, but will snatch any

opportunity. My valise is up, so I can get a change of

underclothing, which is welcome. The din still goes on.

It has been dry all day, and the men have been able to dry

their boots and clothes, and are in excellent heart. Shill

and Fergie visited us today from their Bivouac. 'Joseph'

is busy examining prisoners—one small man in 'Downs’

was escorting two large Bosche prisoners back across No

Man's Land; they thought he wasn't going fast enough,

so they each took an arm and hurried him o'er the danger

zone. Another yarn—one of the prisoners said to his

captor "Hullo, I played cricket against you at Donacloney.”

FRIDAY, JUNE 30th.

11a.m.—Rain again last night, and a threatening day.

Just sent Cox the forms. Your Saturday's letter just

came. We go in to the line to-night.

JULY 1st, SATURDAY.

Safe and unhurt, but broke. The Battalion is no more.

At least 400 casualties, but hard to estimate, as they

keep coming in. 'At.' and Ensor missing. They got

right in with their Coys. Brew, Gibson, Jackson, Shillington,

Barcroft, all wounded, but none severe. Charlie

Johnston wounded, I believe, and we hope to get him in

to-night. Pratt, Cather, Menaul, all out collecting

wounded. Officer who went over is a casualty.

6 H.Q. ones did not go over. 12th same, and 11th and

13th ditto, I hear. The men were splendid! Fergie just

in and will take this. Pratt walked to dressing station

to give my field P.C. to a wounded man. So good of him.

I was never in any danger, but am tired to death, and so

sad. Jimmy S all right. Nearly every Sergt, a casualty;

Hughes v. bad.

SUNDAY, JULY 2nd. "MARTINSART."

We have been pulled out of the line (the whole Div.)

and I don't know what will happen to us. Each Battalion

had in or about the same casualties, viz, 15-20 Officers

and 400-500 men. My beloved Battalion and the

companions of the last two years swept away in a few short

hours. They did splendidly; on they went, regardless of

loss of Officers, and charged, a mere handful of some

half dozen. I fear 'At' is 'killed; was seen by a Sergeant

apparently dead. Charlie Johnston we can't find.

From 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. No Man's Land was searched

deliberately and found many, but not him. still hope C.

J. may be found. Now Cather, who has been out rescuing

wounded in daylight, has been caught. He went out

this morning and, they turned a M.G. on him, when he

was out of sight of our Line, and he hasn’t returned. I

have left 2 orderlies to search for him tonight. Poor

Montgomery. I fear he's gone. 8 missing and 7 wounded.

The Battalion about 170 strong. I am heartbroken. So

gallant and so splendid they all were. Will you go and

see the relations. I will try to write to them. Thanks

to Fergie I haven't missed your letters for one day.

Even last night he brought them in. Cather's loss is a

heavy one. He was an extraordinary good Adjt. I still

hope we shall see him again. Meantime I have no one,

and all the details of losses, etc., to be made out.

MONDAY, 3rd JULY. “FORCEVILLE."

We came back today some 3 miles; all the Brigade

here. Greatly fear about C. J. We have searched and

searched for him, and tonight we search again. We've

got more information as to when he was seen, but it's so

contradictory. I fear no doubt whatever about 'At’.

Ensor, Montgomery, Hollywood, and T. and Seggie. Poor

Cather. So gallant, he was found shot through the head,

quite dead, but the man he went to bring in was brought

in by the party looking for Cather. He is a sad loss to

the Battalion; he was quite marvellous as an Adjt. I am

going to try Menaul. Poor young Moore, badly wounded

looking for wounded, like Cather. Alas for the Div.;

the finest in France last Friday, and now a skeleton,

with its best gone—and nothing to show for it. We, the

Div., reached our objectives, and owing to the Divisions

on our right and left failing we had to fall back. Cruel

luck! Our men were mowed down by M.G.

TUESDAY, JULY 4th.

I am still dazed at the blow, and cannot settle down

to anything; and everything crying out to be done and

re-organised. Poor C. J. We found him last night, at

last, but he must have been killed almost at once. Oh

how I feel for his poor wife and mother. Gen. saw the

Bde. on parade to-day and was very complimentary. He

published a very fine Order of the Day on the operations,

and the behaviour of the Division. I fear Montgomery

is dead. I must write now to the relatives.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5th.

10 p.m.—Now to try and, give you some idea of what

occurred. After 7 days' bombardment, ending in an

hour's hurricane artillery fire, from 6.25 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.,

on July 1st, the attack was delivered—109th Bde. on

right and 11th and 13th next, all on Thiepval side, 12th

and ourselves Hamel side, 107th in reserve. We attacked

in 4 waves. The leading wave got out all right, and

the 2nd wave suffered fairly badly getting out, but the

remainder were mown down by M.G. fire. The men

advanced as if on parade, and regardless of losses to

Officers 'A' and 'B’ on right, then 'C' and 'D' Coys., 2 Coys

of the 12th, then 29th Div. These latter were held up by

M.C. and 'C' and 'D' and 12th only just reached 1st

line. 29th didn't even do that. 'A' and 'B' leading 2

waves got right on through the 3 lines to their goals which

few reached. A splendid performance! But no one

being on their left they were annihilated. Meanwhile

the 109th, and 11th had got right on to 4th line, and after

staying some time, and lacking support and bombs and

ammunition, were driven slowly back by counter attack,

their right being exposed, the Div. here not having

advanced. 107th badly mauled coming up. As soon as

assault started Germans barraged No Man's Land, where

most of our casualties occurred. 'At., ' C.M.P., and Ensor

killed leading their Coys gloriously. Failure to knock out

M.G.'s, day-light attack from our Trenches, and failure

to have reserves near enough, were, in my opinion, the

causes of failure. Bosche Infantry surrendered in herds

whenever a handful of our men came near them, but their

M.G. 's were deadly. Ricardo came to see me today; his

heart is broke. Gas used Thiepval side. That roughly

is the way things went. To the South things are going

well, but Oh! to have the finest Division in France wiped

out and nothing to show for it, but the knowledge that

all did their duty magnificently, and as Gen. N. says,

surpassed even the high expectations formed. I cannot,

face the reorganisation and beginning all over again,

without dismay, with all my old trusted companions gone.

C.O.'s were forbidden to go over the parapet. The Padre

worked for 60 hours, tending and comforting the wounded.

The trenches were a shambles, and he organised parties to

collect and bury the dead. I wrote to Mrs. Cather. Shill. has

been and is splendid, and a tower off strength. He came out

at exactly the right time. Pratt's out with a party to-night

looking for wounded. We have had parties out every night,

but it's dangerous work.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 5th. PUCHEVILLERS.

We moved here suddenly this p.m., about 9 miles.

Our old friend P ( ). I believe we are to stay here a

bit to refit. Pratt and his party were quite successful

last night. They brought in old Ensor, who had been 4

days in a shell hole. He was quite wonderful, but, of

course weak, and with a limp; had flesh wound in leg,

and he lost a lot of blood. But he will do all right the

doctors think. They also got 3 more wounded men in.

A sad birthday; the feeling of. sadness for one's gallant

comrades, and the hopeless feeling of having to begin

all over again weighs on us all. Leave is to be opened again,

I hear, soon, but I must get reorganisation well ahead before

I think of coming home. I couldn't face the sorrowing

relatives yet. I must try and get Padre away. I saw some

of our poor fellows in hospital. Sgt. Sewell, in great pain,

but, I hope will get all right. You remember him in U.V.F.

days? I haven't grasped who have gone yet. They don't

keep men in Field Ambulance, but clear them right away

to England at once. The medical are arrangements were

good. It's so hard to get any information as all who got

on are either wounded and away, or missing. Two men

told me they saw 'At,' fall and went to him later, and

he was dead, but it's not an absolute certainty, though

I thought it was when I wrote to his father. It's a bare

possibility he may have been taken by the Germans

when lying wounded. Such a relief to be away from the

sound of the guns. Things are going well in the S. Young

Edgar is all right.

(To be continued.)