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| Regiment/Service: |
11th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
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| Date Of Birth: |
31/01/1891
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| Died: |
07/12/1916 (Killed in Action) |
| Age: |
25 |
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| James Joseph Magee was born is Stewartstown and was the son of Henry Magee of Gortgonis, Coalisland. He enlisted in Motherwell, Scotland, where he had been working and joined the 11th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. On the 7th December 1916 James was killed by rifle fire, the only man in the battalion to die that day. |
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| James Joseph Magee was the son of Henry and Teresa Magee.
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| James Joseph Magee was born is Stewartstown on 31st January 1891. He was one of at least six children.
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| Family: Henry Magee. Teresa Magee, Patrick Magee (born 16th March 1883), William John Magee (born 24th January 1885), Henry Magee (born 17th February 1889),James Joseph Magee (born 31st January 1891), Susan Magee (born 26th June 1892), Thomas Magee (born 27th December 1893).
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| The 1901 census lists Jim Joe as age 10, living with the family at house 105 in Coalisland, Tullyniskane, County Tyrone. Jim was still at school. His father was a fish dealer.
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| James’ mother, Teresa Magee, died on 18th April 1902 in Coalisland, age 42.
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| Henry Magee remarried just a few months later. Henry Magee married Mary Wallace on 9th October 1902 in the district of Dungannon. They went on to have at least eight children, six surviving.
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| Known family: Henry Magee, Mary Magee, Mary Magee (born 25th October 1903), Rachel Magee (born 27th January 1905), Margaret Magee (born 18th October 1906), Unknown female (born 20th April 1909, 20th April 1909), Asicus Magee (born 26th April 1910, 27th April 1910), Henry Magee (born 23rd April 1911), Anne Magee (born 13th June 1913), Robert Magee (born 6th January 1916).
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| The 1911 census lists Jim Joe as age 22, living with his step-family at house 10 in Gortgonis, Tullyniskane, Coalisland. Jim was a farm labourer. His father was now described as a dealer.
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| Documents have the name spelt as Magee up until he enlisted. Thereafter he became McGhie, including his handwritten Will.
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| James enlisted in Motherwell, Scotland, where he had been working.
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| The CWGC have the Regimental Number as 26910, but his medal card and Ireland’s Memorial Records record it as 28910.
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| On the 4th December 1916 the 11th Battalion left Wakefield Huts, Dranoutre, at 2.15pm and marched via Neuve Eglise to Bulford Camp, Kortepyp, remaining there for the night. Next day they left Bulford Camp at 10.00am and marched via Red Lodge to relieve the 8th South Lancashire Regiment in the trenches, taking over the Douve sector in the Bois de Ploegsteert. Relief was completed by 12.00 noon.
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| The next day, the 6th, was quiet.
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| Private James Joseph McGhie was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he killed in action by rifle fire on Thursday 7th December 1916. He was the only man from the battalion to die that day.
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| In his Will, James left all to his father Henry, who was living in Coalisland.
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| Last Will and Testament of Private James Joseph McGhie dated 11th November 1916:
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| In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my father, Henry McGhie, Coalisland, County Tyrone, Ireland.
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| Private J J McGhie is buried Hyde Park Corner (Royal Berks) Cemetery at Ploegsteert in Belgium. The inscription on his grave reads: GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.
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| Private James Joseph Magee is listed on Dungannon War Memorial, as Lance Corporal J J Magee.
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| The CWGC record Private J J McGhie as the son of Henry Magee of Gortgonis, Coalisland, County Tyrone.
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