The forgotten police officer in Killyleagh was ‘most popular with all classes’

The forgotten police officer in Killyleagh was ‘most popular with all classes’

8 November 2023

A PHOTOGRAPHIC postcard turned up recently depicting a gentleman in a police uniform, sporting sergeant’s stripes. The following was written on 

the rear – ‘Sergt Benjamin Magee, RIC  Killyleagh, County Down, Ireland’.

Who was Benjamin Magee? A little bit of ‘detective work’ and the following was uncovered.

The 1911 census for Killyleagh revealed there were four police officers based at the town’s Royal Irish Constabulary station located in High Street. Benjamin Magee, born in County Armagh, aged 42, Church of Ireland denomination, was listed as the sergeant. His wife, Kathleen, and six children were recorded as living next door to the barracks.

The Weekly Irish Times dated February 4, 1909, informed readers that Sergeant Magee, formerly stationed at Katesbridge, had been transferred to Killyleagh. He had been well thought of by the Katesbridge residents, which was evidenced by an address and a purse of sovereigns presented to him at the time of his transfer.

Benjamin Magee was born on May 28, 1868 at Tamnaghvelton, near Tandragee. He was the son of William Magee, a weaver. Twenty-six years later, on September 13, 1894, Benjamin, then a constable in the RIC, married Katie Louisa Wixon, from Fortfergus, County Clare, at Kildysart Parish Church.

The registration records of the births of their first four children, Elizabeth Kathleen, Violet, May Louisa and Wilhelmina Alexandra, indicate that the Magee family had moved to Rathfriland. In February 1895 Constable Benjamin Magee had appeared at a coroner’s inquest and gave evidence in relation to his actions at the scene of two mysterious deaths in Rathfriland. His name is also linked to the discovery of counterfeit coinage, the investigation of a suspected arson attack and an alleged bigamy case.

In July 1898 he had been accused of alleged assault and battery and taken to court. During the court hearing his defence barrister stated that Benjamin had twelve years’ experience on the force. He had been stationed in Rathfriland for four years and was clerk to the District-Inspector in the area. The plaintiff in the case was awarded three pounds in damages. 

He was to deal with other cases, including drunk and disorderly offenders, arson and drowning fatalities. In 1902, he again made the headlines, after apprehending a young chap from Newry who was a deserter from the army.

The following year it was announced in the Constabulary Gazette that Benjamin was promoted to the rank of Acting-Sergeant and moved to Newry where his daughter, Frances Maude, is born in 1904. In April 1905 he was to take charge of Katesbridge RIC station. His daughter, Florence Mabel, and son, William James, were born in that vicinity in 1906 and 1908 respectively.

In 1906 and 1907 Benjamin had earned an extra £3, awarded to him by the Reward Board, for good police duty.  Of course, “a policeman’s lot is not always a happy one.” In the local press in 1907, it was reported that Sergeant Ben Magee and his colleagues at Katesbridge “had to deal with no less than three railway accidents, one in which a ganger was literally cut to pieces”.  

Whilst in Killyleagh he continued his fight against the criminal elements. Capturing a bicycle thief, arresting military deserters, and arresting two gentlemen who broke into Killyleagh’s Orange Hall were all in a day’s work for Benjamin.

On October 8, 1910, his daughter Marion was born in Killyleagh. In July 1913 his transfer to Crossgar was announced. The local press reported that “the inhabitants of Killyleagh and district will be sorry to lose the sergeant, as he was most popular with all classes”. Colonel Hamilton presided over a meeting at the Hamilton Arms Hotel in Killyleagh to show appreciation for Sergeant Magee on his transfer. Those present were there to recognise his “good service and faithful discharge of his duties, and especially for his assistance to the management of Killyleagh cattle show”.

The world would soon be at war and Sergeant Magee would be responsible for receiving information from the front relating to Crossgar service personnel who were missing, taken prisoner or killed in action. In November 1915 he was in receipt of a notification from the War Office stating that 25 year-old Private John Elliott, No 13559, 7th Royal Scots Fusiliers, had been on the missing list since Sunday, September 26, 1915. His mother, Mary Jane, resided in the Cluntagh area. Sadly, her son’s name would later appear on the Loos War Memorial in France.

Sergeant Magee would be no stranger to conflict himself. On March 8, 1919, he was one of a number of police injured during disturbances in Crossgar between the police and Sinn Fein volunteers. He was later awarded £100 as a result injuries received.

There do not appear to be any further references in the local press relating to Benjamin Magee as a serving police officer. On Tuesday, July 13, 1920, Benjamin and his wife mourned the death of their 16 year-old daughter, Frances Maude. The ion in the Belfast Newsletter indicates that the Magee family had relocated to Fortwilliam Parade, Belfast, and Benjamin was now an “ex-Sergeant, RIC”.

Their daughter was laid to rest in grave E6 169 at Dundonald Cemetery. During the period of the next 12 years, three of her sisters would also be buried in the same grave – Wilhelmina aged 23, Marion aged 17 and Florence aged 25.

Benjamin Magee and his wife Kathleen Louisa were laid to rest in the adjoining grave (E6 170) in 1945 and 1956 respectively. There also rest the remains of their grandson, William Ernest McCoy, who died in 1922, aged eight months.

“Magee – March 27, 1945 at Hospital, Benjamin Magee, ex-Sergeant RIC., dearly-loved husband of Kathleen Magee. Funeral from his late residence, 30 Cairo Street, tomorrow (Thursday) at 3pm, to Dundonald Cemetery. House private – Deeply regretted by his sorrowing Wife and Family. Till we meet again.”

A flower-holder with the family surname marks the location of the graves at Dundonald cemetery.

In memory of Sergeant Benjamin Magee, May 28, 1868 – March 27, 1945.