| James Surgenor was the son of Margaret and James Surgenor. James was born about 1890 in Ahoghill.
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| Family: James Surgenor, Margaret Surgenor, John Surgenor (born about 1883), Mary A Surgenor (born about 1888), Thomas Surgenor (born about 1889), James Surgenor (born about 1890).
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| The family lived at Grange Corner, Taylorstown. This is about 2/3 miles from Ahoghill in the Randalstown/Toomebridge direction
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| The 1901 census lists James as age 11 living with the family at house 79 in Taylorstown, Ballyscullion, County Antrim. James was still at school. They were a farming family
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| The 1911 census lists James as age 21 living with the family at house 26 in Taylorstown, Ballyscullion. James was working on the family farm.
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| Unusually, his father is not listed as living with the family on either census.
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| James Surgenor was a section commander in the Ulster Volunteer Force.
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| James enlisted in Lisburn around September 1914, at the start of the war.
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| Company Sergeant Major James Surgenor was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was gassed on 1st September 1916.
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| C.S.M. James Surgenor died of his wounds on Sunday 3rd September 1916. He was 26 years old.
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| He is mentioned in the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph of 23 September 1916.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd September 1916: Sergeant Major James Surgenor
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| News has been received that Company Sergeant Major James Surgenor, 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, son of Mr James Surgenor, Taylorstown, Toomebridge, was gassed in France in 1st September and succumbed in hospital on the 3rd. Sergeant Major Surgenor was a member of the Ulster Volunteers, and joined the colours about two years ago.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22nd May 1917: Certificates for Gallantry
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| Ulster Divisional Cards for Gallantry and Good Service have been granted to the following W.O.’s and N.C.O.’s and men of the South Antrim Battalion Royal Irish Rifles – 2539 Sergeant J Surgenor (C.S.M, since killed).
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| Company Sergeant Major Surgenor is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
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| James Surgenor is commemorated in Grange Presbyterian Church.
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