William J Magee, Royal Irish Rifles

[hen190782]

Good Evening and Festive Felicitations!

There is a William J Magee (Royal irish Rifles) listed as a fatality on the Presbyterian Church's Roll of Honour for the Strand-Sydenham congregation in Belfast.

On SDGW and IMR, there are records for Rifleman William Magee, 9/13234, killed on 22/06/1917

CWGC lists eight Royal Irish Rifles fatalities for that date (http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead.aspx?cpage=1), including Magee, J, 9/13244

Ancestry includes a MIC for Magee, William, 9/13244

It seems to me that these records relate to the same man, but which is the correct service number and are the incorrect names and/or service number recorded on the CWGC headstone?

Regards

Nigel

[Clook]

Hi Nigel

Might be giving you a bigger headache but here goes.

Medal index has 9/13244 as William, kia 22/6/17, no mention of a 'J' initial. There is another Sgt William Magee 15/12054 from RIR discharged in 1919 with TB and died 16/4/20 buried at Carnmoney Cemetery.

Or more likely have a look at William James Magee service nos. 7221 initially with 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles then 231039 and possibly 645406 with Labour Corps. Presbyterian, worked at H&W before war and with addresses at 42 Island Street and 117 (or 47 or 17?) Central Street, married Margaret Jane Dunlop. He lost his right eye to GSW in April 1915 and was discharged in 1920. Looks like his wife however gets a widows pension from 11th August 1920. Geographically he looks more like your man but I can't tie down a date of death for him. Possible non-com depending I suppose on whether cause of death can be attributable to active service. Bit more work required there or I could be way off...too much Christmas cheer hic!

Doesn't solve your J or W 234 or 244 problem though!

Have a happy Christmas

M

[Clook]

Nigel - just confirmed date of death as 9th August 1920, could be your man all right.

[hen190782]

Clook

Thanks, will pursue the William James Magee angle - certainly, the Island Street and Central addresses would be close to Strand-Sydenham PC.

Have checked Belfast City Council's online burial records and he is not recorded - but he might be buried in Knockbreda Cemetery or, less likely, Carnmoney Cemetery.

Thanks again,

Nigel

[hen190782]

Hi again

Located the Service/Pension Record and done a bit of digging.

The SR/PR records William James Magee (S/N 7221, RIRifles) as being married to Margaret Jane (in 1905) with a daughter called Margaret Jane born in 1907.

1911 Ireland Census for 41 Methuen Street records a William James and Margaret Jane Magee, their daughter Margaret Jane and WJ's father (John, aged 60).

The PCI RoH records three men called Magee (A, D and W J - presumably brothers) with the address 72 Cheviot Avenue.

1911 Ireland Census for 72 Cheviot Avenue records Arthur John (Iron Driller, aged 55) and Margaret Magee

1901 Ireland Census for 9 Cheviot Street records John Magee (Driller, aged 44), wife Margaret and sons Arthur (12) and James (14)

I am not sure that William James Magee (S/N 7221, RIRifles) is my man.

I feel like I am going round and round in circles on this one

Nigel

[W.J.Caughey]

Nigel.

W.J. and Maggie Magee 95 Saunders St, Belfast placed a memorial notice Nov 1915 for brother (your man Presbyterian) Arthur Magee Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Killed in Action 14th Nov 1914.

Snippet usually records Active service, so maybe thinking he wasn't on active service at that time Nov, maybe 7221 medal card give's an overseas theatre of war date?

Checked 1915 Belfast Street Directory 42 Saunders St, it records Richardson but at No 95 lists a Margaret Magee as householder !

The Belfast family's surely moved address in them days.

Will email snippet.

W.J.

[hen190782]

WJ

Thanks, received the snippet.

The Service/Pension Record for 7221 William James Saunders has several addresses!

Several pages (including discharge stamp on 05/03/1919), give the address as 42 Island Street

The "First Award - Widow" form records the address as Central Street (house number could be 47, 117 or 17!)

The "Service & Awards" page records NoK as Margaret Jane with 95 Saunders Street as address.

So it look like this William James Magee is the brother of Arthur Magee, but I cannot link them to the 72 Cheviot Avenue address.

I think I will set this one aside until Christmas is over!!!

Nigel

[hen190782]

WJ

DOH!!!! The second clipping records Arthur as son of J Magee of 72 Cheviot Avenue!!!

Nigel