Private James Magee

 

 

James Magee was born on 27 March 1889, just after his twin brother George, at 9 Edith Street, Belfast, the sixth of eleven children of labourer (later linen factory engine driver) John Magee and his wife Elizabeth (née Wilson). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 68 Coolbeg Street, Belfast, with his parents and seven of his siblings, and working as a labourer in an iron works.

Magee enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery at Belfast on 25 August 1914 (No.43309). He joined the regiment at Citadel, Plymouth, three days later. On 2 October 1914, however, he was discharged, not being likely to become an efficient soldier, the reason being a deformity to his right foot caused by an old injury.

On 13 April the following year Magee enlisted again, this time in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron (No. UD/252). He gave his occupation as 'core maker' and his address as 53 Braemar Street, Belfast, but made no mention of his earlier service in the artillery. On 29 May however he was again discharged as 'not being likely to become an efficient soldier' (paragraph 392(iii)(c) King's Regulations), this time the cause being pulmonary tuberculosis. His military character was recorded as 'very good' and 'a good respectable man'.

Magee enlisted for a third time, in the Royal Horse Artillery, on 13 October 1915 (No.101154). He served overseas where, according to a report in the Belfast News-Letter of 13 July 1916, he was wounded. On 30 January 1917 he was discharged due to pulmonary tuberculosis. As this was attributed to his military service he was granted a pension, his level of disability in December 1919 assessed at 70 per cent. (This had improved to 30% by May 1920.)

Magee later moved to England, where he worked as a marine engineer. He died at his home, 40 Victoria Road, Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, on 18 March 1973.

 

Magee's six brothers all served during the war: Edward, George and Joseph Magee in the Royal Irish Rifles; John Magee in the Royal Navy, Robert Magee in the 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars and the North Irish Horse, and William Magee in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. John was wounded when HMS Raglan was sunk in the Eastern Mediterranean on 20 January 1918. Joseph was killed in action on the Somme on 1 July 1916.

 

James's twin brother George

 

Belfast Telegraph, 16 January 1915

 

First image sourced from the Find-a-Graves website – contributor Colin Shaw. Second and third images sourced from Ancestry.com Public Member Trees – contributor Joy Smith.

 

This page last updated 11 July 2023.