Coagh and District in World War One

29/03/2021

Back left is Private Jim Marks. Back right is Private Thomas W Collins. Seated is Private Hiram Irwin. All three served with the North Irish Horse. All three survived the war. Photo courtesy of Dessie Gordon.

29/03/2021

31/03/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd February 1918: Coagh

31/03/2019

‘I can’t express myself in thanking you for your kindness in remembering me so often in sending the parcels, but I hope to return home someday to be able to thank you personally. Long may you be able to organise a fund to keep us boys in a parcel of cigarettes from home, as they are a lot better than we have got here. Give my best respects to Stewartstown Shooting Club, and all the boys who join in it, and I hope it will always be successful. We are still having a move at the Germans, and are enjoying ourselves all right, and having a good time. My mates join me in thanking you all for your kindness. The boys are all able to smoke a fag, and do appreciate them very much.’

31/03/2019

Trooper Jim Marks, of the North Irish Horse, son of Mr William Marks, Drumads, Coagh, writing to Mr Thomas Ferguson, Albany, secretary of Stewartstown Shooting Club, on 8th July, says:-

31/03/2019

Trooper Jim Marks, North Irish Horse, is on a well-deserved holiday with his parents at Drumade, Coagh

31/03/2019

Trooper James B Marks, of the North Irish Horse, has just paid a visit to his parents who reside in Drumads, Coagh. Jim, who was well known in Coagh and district, was called up for active service at the beginning of hostilities, and is only once home on leave since then. He was looking fit and well, and although taking part in many engagements, including the retreat from Mons, he has so far escaped uninjured. He has been serving with the bodyguard of Sir John French, and amongst some of the local soldiers with he was acquainted with in France he mentioned Troopers Wesley McClelland, Cookstown, and Hiram Irwin, Drapersfield. During his short stay at home he has numerous visitors, to all of which he spoke well of his treatment both in France and Belgium, but of any other experiences at the front, he didn’t care to say anything, except that he had been fortunate in escaping so far. Trooper Marks has now returned to his unit in France again, leaving Coagh on Wednesday.

31/03/2019

A number of friends attended at Mr William Marks’, Drumads, on Friday evening, to bid farewell to his son, Trooper Jim Marks, North Irish horse, home on leave before his departure to the front. After a very enjoyable tea, the party adjourned to the large granary where a dance was held, the music being supplied by Mr John Mooney, Drumaney.

31/03/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th October 1915:

31/03/2019

Coagh and district is still busily engaged providing comforts for our brave local soldiers, who are doing their part in forcing back the rebels. Eggs are also being sent weekly for the wounded soldiers in the different hospitals. Even the school children are doing their part to cheer up our boys in the trenches. At Aughavey National School, Coagh, the children arranged small private subscriptions amongst themselves, and aided by their zealous teachers, Miss Young, Urbal, and Miss Young, Coagh, they succeeded in raising a nice little sum, which was spent in cigarettes, chocolate, etc., for the soldiers. The parcel was sent to Mr Jim Marks, North Irish Horse, for himself and his comrades from Coagh district. Such little acts of kindness go to show the soldiers are being though of at home, and deserve the highest praise by all. We hope that many other places of a similar kind will follow their example, as the smallest little parcel of comforts gives fresh courage to the lads in the firing line.

31/03/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th May 1915: Coagh

31/03/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd July 1916: Stewartstown

31/03/2019

The History of Coagh booklet lists Trooper James Marks as having served with the 1st North Irish Horse in the war.

31/03/2019

The following contributed songs: Sergeant Joseph Mitchell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Mr Charles Collins, Mr Thomas Harkness, Joseph McKeown, Thompson Marks, Bernard Kennedy, Miss R Collins, Miss Watters and Miss Hamilton. Mr Thomas Hamilton and Mr James Booth gave a step dance in good style, while Mr W J Laverty gave an Irish jig. Dancing was kept up till an advanced hour, and at intervals selections on the gramophone were given by Miss A Harkness, Killygonland. A very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by all singing the National Anthem.

31/03/2019

James Marks was the eldest son of William and Barbara Marks. William Marks and Barbara Alice booth were married on 5th June 1894 in the district of Cookstown.

31/03/2019

James Booth Marks was born on 2nd April 1895 in the Coagh area. He was the eldest of nine children.

31/03/2019

The 1901 census lists Jim Boothe Marks as age 6, living with the family at house 43 in Great Georges Street, Coagh. His father was a spirit grocer.

31/03/2019

Family: William Marks, Barbara Alice Marks, James Booth Marks (born 2nd April 1895), William Thompson Marks (born 21st May 1896), Hugh Stewart Marks (born 26th November 1897), Robert John Marks (born 28th December 1899), Walter Thomas Marks (born 12th March 1902), Margaret Barbara Marks (born 22nd June 1903), Edward Ernest Marks (born 15th January 1906), Alice Matilda Marks (born 18th December 1907), Mary Florence Marks (31st August 1910).

31/03/2019

The 1911 census lists James Booth as age 16, living with the family at house 10 in Drumad, Coagh, County Tyrone. James was still at school. His father was a farmer.

31/03/2019

Trooper James Marks served with the North Irish Horse, with the Regiment No. 894.

31/03/2019

Private Marks later served with the Corps of Hussars, with the regiment no. 71149

31/03/2019

Private James Marks survived the war.

31/03/2019

From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th February 1918: Coagh

Date	Information

29/03/2021	Back left is Private Jim Marks. Back right is Private Thomas W Collins. Seated is Private Hiram Irwin. All three served with the North Irish Horse. All three survived the war. Photo courtesy of Dessie Gordon.
29/03/2021
29/03/2021
31/03/2019
31/03/2019
31/03/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd February 1918: Coagh
31/03/2019	‘I can’t express myself in thanking you for your kindness in remembering me so often in sending the parcels, but I hope to return home someday to be able to thank you personally. Long may you be able to organise a fund to keep us boys in a parcel of cigarettes from home, as they are a lot better than we have got here. Give my best respects to Stewartstown Shooting Club, and all the boys who join in it, and I hope it will always be successful. We are still having a move at the Germans, and are enjoying ourselves all right, and having a good time. My mates join me in thanking you all for your kindness. The boys are all able to smoke a fag, and do appreciate them very much.’
31/03/2019	Trooper Jim Marks, of the North Irish Horse, son of Mr William Marks, Drumads, Coagh, writing to Mr Thomas Ferguson, Albany, secretary of Stewartstown Shooting Club, on 8th July, says:-
31/03/2019
31/03/2019	Trooper Jim Marks, North Irish Horse, is on a well-deserved holiday with his parents at Drumade, Coagh
31/03/2019	Trooper James B Marks, of the North Irish Horse, has just paid a visit to his parents who reside in Drumads, Coagh. Jim, who was well known in Coagh and district, was called up for active service at the beginning of hostilities, and is only once home on leave since then. He was looking fit and well, and although taking part in many engagements, including the retreat from Mons, he has so far escaped uninjured. He has been serving with the bodyguard of Sir John French, and amongst some of the local soldiers with he was acquainted with in France he mentioned Troopers Wesley McClelland, Cookstown, and Hiram Irwin, Drapersfield. During his short stay at home he has numerous visitors, to all of which he spoke well of his treatment both in France and Belgium, but of any other experiences at the front, he didn’t care to say anything, except that he had been fortunate in escaping so far. Trooper Marks has now returned to his unit in France again, leaving Coagh on Wednesday.
31/03/2019	A number of friends attended at Mr William Marks’, Drumads, on Friday evening, to bid farewell to his son, Trooper Jim Marks, North Irish horse, home on leave before his departure to the front. After a very enjoyable tea, the party adjourned to the large granary where a dance was held, the music being supplied by Mr John Mooney, Drumaney.
31/03/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th October 1915:
31/03/2019	Coagh and district is still busily engaged providing comforts for our brave local soldiers, who are doing their part in forcing back the rebels. Eggs are also being sent weekly for the wounded soldiers in the different hospitals. Even the school children are doing their part to cheer up our boys in the trenches. At Aughavey National School, Coagh, the children arranged small private subscriptions amongst themselves, and aided by their zealous teachers, Miss Young, Urbal, and Miss Young, Coagh, they succeeded in raising a nice little sum, which was spent in cigarettes, chocolate, etc., for the soldiers. The parcel was sent to Mr Jim Marks, North Irish Horse, for himself and his comrades from Coagh district. Such little acts of kindness go to show the soldiers are being though of at home, and deserve the highest praise by all. We hope that many other places of a similar kind will follow their example, as the smallest little parcel of comforts gives fresh courage to the lads in the firing line.
31/03/2019
31/03/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th May 1915: Coagh
31/03/2019
31/03/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd July 1916: Stewartstown
31/03/2019	The History of Coagh booklet lists Trooper James Marks as having served with the 1st North Irish Horse in the war.
31/03/2019
31/03/2019	The following contributed songs: Sergeant Joseph Mitchell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Mr Charles Collins, Mr Thomas Harkness, Joseph McKeown, Thompson Marks, Bernard Kennedy, Miss R Collins, Miss Watters and Miss Hamilton. Mr Thomas Hamilton and Mr James Booth gave a step dance in good style, while Mr W J Laverty gave an Irish jig. Dancing was kept up till an advanced hour, and at intervals selections on the gramophone were given by Miss A Harkness, Killygonland. A very enjoyable evening was brought to a close by all singing the National Anthem.
31/03/2019	James Marks was the eldest son of William and Barbara Marks. William Marks and Barbara Alice booth were married on 5th June 1894 in the district of Cookstown.
31/03/2019	James Booth Marks was born on 2nd April 1895 in the Coagh area. He was the eldest of nine children.
31/03/2019	The 1901 census lists Jim Boothe Marks as age 6, living with the family at house 43 in Great Georges Street, Coagh. His father was a spirit grocer.
31/03/2019	Family: William Marks, Barbara Alice Marks, James Booth Marks (born 2nd April 1895), William Thompson Marks (born 21st May 1896), Hugh Stewart Marks (born 26th November 1897), Robert John Marks (born 28th December 1899), Walter Thomas Marks (born 12th March 1902), Margaret Barbara Marks (born 22nd June 1903), Edward Ernest Marks (born 15th January 1906), Alice Matilda Marks (born 18th December 1907), Mary Florence Marks (31st August 1910).
31/03/2019	The 1911 census lists James Booth as age 16, living with the family at house 10 in Drumad, Coagh, County Tyrone. James was still at school. His father was a farmer.
31/03/2019	Trooper James Marks served with the North Irish Horse, with the Regiment No. 894.
31/03/2019	Private Marks later served with the Corps of Hussars, with the regiment no. 71149
31/03/2019	Private James Marks survived the war.
31/03/2019	From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th February 1918: Coagh