From the pages of the Down Recorder, December 14, 1941

14 December 2011

DOWNPATRICK — At Down-patrick Court on December 4, Mr. S. C. Clarke, R.M., presiding, George Gorman, 15, one of a family of five, living in Imperial Street, Belfast, in custody, was charged with wandering on November 19 with no visible means of subsistence.

Constable Porter related that near the workhouse Gorman, in the company of a small, 12 year-old boy, spun a pitiful tale that they were brothers, their father dead, their mother killed in the blitz, that they had been evacuated to an uncle’s, from whom, being ill disposed, they ran away.

The constable said he put them in the workhouse pending inquiry. Then he learned from the Belfast police that this story was a concoction. Meanwhile, the two scaled the workhouse wall, and came into town. After a special court the second boy’s guardian took him back to the city, but as no one turned up on behalf of Gorman, he was sent to Balmoral industrial school for the ensuing fortnight.

Mrs. Gorman, the mother, arriving by bus, said that from her husband in the Army she received £2 5s 6d a week, while she earned 22 shillings in a city jam factory. Since an attack of meningitis this boy George had never been the same. Falling into bad company, he lost his £1 a week a job in a butcher’s shop. Before making off from home on November 19 he pawned his elder brother’s coat, but she had since redeemed it.

The R.M. ordered the boy home, if only to make honest money to pay for the coat.

SAINTFIELD — Death stalked John McGready, 83, resident with his daughter and son-in-law, William Steel, at Ballymacaramery, when out shooting on Monday. It is believed that as he was climbing a hedge, pulling the gun after him, the trigger caught on thorns. He received the discharge below the heart, Later, William J. McKelvey, of Tullywest, found him lying in a lane. At an inquest next day Dr. Hamilton gave evidence, and a verdict of accidental death was returned.

BALLYNAHINCH — The pupils of Assumption Grammar School, Ballynahinch, on November 27, 28 and 29, presented the popular operatic play, ‘Pearl the Fishermaiden,’ against a scenic and lighting background that enhanced the loveliness of the costumes. A brilliant success was scored. The finished acting and haunting tunes so charged with the spirit of youth and the soul of music made a deep impression on the large audiences. A special word is due to Mr. William Broderick, bass, Miss Colette Byrne, accompanist, Mr. James Souter, violin, and Mr. Terence Lennon, pianoforte, for their artistry. The Tiny Tots, in ‘Goosey, Goosey Gander,’ won all hearts by their delightful interpretation of nursery rhymes. Miss Kathleen Mooney, in full Irish costume, danced the hornpipe to perfection.

ANNALONG — Juvenile delinquency was discussed at a meeting in Annalong under the chairmanship of the rector, Rev. T. H. Lyons, and the speakers included Mr. W. R. Robinson and Mr. J. Monaghan. The dispersal of city children to coastal and rural areas has created problem, social and religious. As has been pointed out, many of the young people are suffering from ‘bombs or billets.’ Criticism wrapped up in platitudes is ineffectual. Welfare, educational and religious organisations must try to do what is possible to reduce the damage to a minimum.

PORTAFERRY — A fortuitous meeting abroad of two Portaferry airmen, Pilot-Officer Marcus Beatty and Flight-Lieut. Hugh Brown is reported. As Brown was seated in the mess one day, who should walk in from heaven knows but Beatty. It was a delightful surprise.

KILLYLEAGH — Mrs. Kilpatrick, of Breakey’s Brae, has received an intimation that her son, Private William Kilpatrick, has been seriously wounded on active service in Egypt.

NEWCASTLE — Mr. W. J. Kennedy presided at a meeting of Newcastle War Savings Committee on Tuesday, when it was reported that there had been raised upwards of £14,000 of the £15,000 required for the purchase of a tank.

TECONNAUGHT — The comedy, ‘Quin’s Secret,’ was staged in St. Columba’s Hall, Teconnaught, by Dunsford Amateur Dramatic Society on December 7, and there was an excellent supporting programme.

ERINAGH — Erinagh prize pipe band has gained another victory. In Dromara Orange Hall last night with 88 points they secured the Mid Down Cup, presented by three MPs, Mr. W. B. Magennis, Col. Gordon, and Mr. J. E. Bailie, with £2 2s added, and also the special prize for the best quorum of drummers. The other competitors were Saintfield, Crossgare, and Waringsford bands. The adjudicator was Pipe Major Joseph W. Bell, of East Belfast.

HILLSBOROUGH — The Poor Law Guardians and Rural Council, with which bodies he had been connected, on Tuesday adjourned as a mark of respect for the memory of Mr. J. S. McLeavy, J.P., an extensive Hillsborough farmer and a member of the Church of Ireland and of the Masonic institution. He served in the South African war.

CASTLEWELLAN — Sergeant A. McWhinney has been transferred on promotion from Bessbrook to Castlewellan, to replace Head-Constable Flanagan, who has gone to Derry.

SAINTFIELD — Coming out of a side road, Fr. Robert Denvir, C.C., of Saintfield, had his car badly damaged in collision with a lorry at Clontinaglare.

CROSSGAR — Crossgar’s £1,500 endeavour to purchase a searchlight projector during the November-December period is assured of success.

DOWNPATRICK — A company of over 200, including many in khaki, in the Assembly Hall on Wednesday night enjoyed Quoile Downpatrick Lawn Tennis Club’s dance to music by the R.A.S.C. band, the proceeds going to the County Infirmary. At an interval Mr. R. Maxwell, chairman, introduced Mrs. Robb, who made awards to the winners of the various competitions.

BALLYMURPHY — At Ballymurphy on Thursday, a two-ton empty lorry belonging to Archibald Watson, of Keady, while travelling towards Ballynahinch, developed a mechanical defect, the upshot being that before it could be stopped it went over the ditch. No one was hurt.

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