Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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18158   Private Edward Magee
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 5th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 21/11/1881
Died: 10/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 36
Summary      
Edward Magee was born in Portadown and lived at Milburn Street, Cookstown, with his wife Roseanne and their two boys, William and Joseph. He came to Cookstown to work at Wilson’s Mill. He enlisted in the army in February 1915 and was subsequently wounded in action at Gallipoli. While recovering from his wounds he was allowed home on leave to see his family before going back to active service. He was killed in Action on 10th March 1918 in Palestine.
Further Information
Edward Magee was the son of Edward and Mary A Magee. Edward Magee and Mary Clayton were married on 28th February 1865 in the district of Craigavon.
Edward Magee was born on 21st November 1881 in Portadown. He was one of at least six children.
Known family 1: Edward Magee, Mary A Magee, John Magee (born 31st May 1871), Patrick Magee (born about 1875), Frances Magee (born 18th January 1877), Edward Magee (born 21st November 1881), Margaret Magee (born 18th November 1884), Mary Ann Magee (born 24th March 1889).
The 1901 census lists Edward as age 18, living with the family at house 23 in Curran Street, Portadown. Edward was a fowl butcher. His father was a sawyer.
The 1911 census lists Edward as age 25, living with the family at house 13 in Curran Street, Portadown, County Armagh. Edward was a labourer. He was not married. His father was a sawyer.
Edward Magee and Rose Anne Devlin were married on 17th January 1914 in the district of Craigavon.
Edward enlisted in Portadown in February 1915.
Medal card
Their first son, William, was born on 17th May 1915 in Portadown.
When he wrote his Last Will and Testament on 13th August 1915, his wife was living at 16 William Street, Portadown.
Private Edward Magee was wounded in action at Gallipoli.
While recovering from his wounds he was allowed home on leave to see his family before going back to active service.
The family lived at Milburn Street, Cookstown for a time.
Edward came to Cookstown to work at Wilson’s Mill.???
Their second son, Joseph, was born on 13th December 1917 in Cookstown.
Family 2: Edward Magee, Rose Anne Magee, William Magee (born 17th May 1915, Portadown), Joseph Magee (born 13th December 1917, Cookstown).
Private Edward Magee was serving with the 5th Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action on Sunday 10th March 1918 in Egypt.
Private Magee was shot by enemy fire just as his company had charged a position with the bayonet.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th March 1918:
MAGEE – Killed in action on 10th March 1918 with the Egyptian Forces, Private Edward Magee, 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers.
'He leaves behind an aching heart,
That loved him very dear;
A heart that will never forget
His memory written here.
Oh! Never, never, can we part
For in my heart thou dost remain,
I’ll cherish him within my heart,
Till we united, meet again.
Forget him! No, I never will
As years roll on, I love him still.
On his soul, Sweet Jesus, have mercy.'
Sadly missed by his sorrowing wife and two little sons, Rose Ann, Willie and Joseph Magee, Millburn Street, Cookstown.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 6th April 1918: Private Edward Magee
Mrs Roseann Magee, Millburn Street, Cookstown, has received official intimation that her husband, Private Edward Magee, 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers, was killed in action on 10th March when serving with the Egyptian Forces. Private Magee was a native of Portadown, and was well-known, and was highly respected by his fellow workers in Wilson’s mill. He enlisted in February 1915 and was wounded in Gallipoli, and was home on leave about a year ago. He leaves behind a wife and two little children.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 18th May 1918:
Mrs E Magee, Millburn Street, Cookstown, has received a letter from Lieutenant Geraghty giving particulars of the death in action of her husband, Private E Magee, who was killed on 10th March in Egypt:-
‘He was caught by enemy fire just as his company had charged a position with the bayonet and beat the Turk off. It will ease you a little to know that his death was immediate and without pain. He was buried alongside some of his companions who fell in the same action. A chaplain attended the burial and your husband’s grave is marked with a cross, with his name and regiment, so that the War Office knows its whereabouts. We are very sorry indeed to send you this news, and our commanding officer and ourselves ask you to accept our deepest sympathy in your great loss. Your husband died a thorough Irishman and soldier, fighting all the time, and ended a most gallant charge with his life. May he rest in peace.’
Last Will and Testament of Private Edward Magee dated 13th August 1915:
In the event of my death, I leave the whole of my property and money to my wife, Mrs Rose A Magee, 16 William Street, Portadown, County Armagh, Ireland. Signed Private 18158, Edward Magee, 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers. D Company.
Private Edward Magee has no known grave and is commemorated on Jerusalem War Memorial in Israel.
Private Magee is also commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph and Portadown War Memorial.
Curran Street, Portadown War Memorial
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Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Millburn Street Cookstown North Lived in Millburn Street 54.650007 -6.745452
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Magee Family Lists Edward as age 18 living with the family at house 23.2 in Curran Street, Portadown Urban, Armagh
2 1911 Census lists Magee Family Lists Edward as age 25 living with the family at house 13.2 in Curran Street, Portadown Urban, Armagh
3 A Call to Arms, Portadown and the Great War Book can be purchased here
4 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Private Edward Magee
5 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Edward Magee's memorial CANNOT be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023