Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Roger Maguire was born 1883 at Sacriston, County Durham, one of 9 known children, 7 boys and two girls, born to coal miner John Maguire also of Sacriston born 1851 and his wife Mary born 1855 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland. His mother died in 1905, he and his father along with his younger brothers and sisters were living at 12, Ladysmith Terrace, Craghead in 1911. Roger, now 27 years old, was working at the colliery as a hewer.
Roger Maguire enlisted in November 1914 assigned as Private 1094 to the 25th Battalion (Tyneside Irish) Northumberland Fusiliers. March 1915 they moved to Woolsingham forming in June 1915 the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division. Taken over by the War Office, August 27th, they moved to Salisbury Plain and crossed to France, January 1916, transferring to the 102nd Brigade in February. They were in action during the Battles of the Somme including La Boiselle, Bazentin Ridge, Pozieres Ridge and Flers- Courcelette. Wounded in the field March 17th 1917 he returned to his unit where the 25th Battalion as part of the 51st Division participated during the First Battle of the Scarpe, April 9-14th 1917.
Private 1094 Roger Maguire was killed in action April 9th 1917 and originally interred at what was known as Roclincourt Forward Cemetery No.2, begun by the 51st Division during the advance from Roclincourt, north across the Lens road. After Armistice the cemetery was extended when the bodies of other servicemen were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and smaller cemeteries. The name was changed to Roclincourt Valley Cemetery although Private Maguire is still buried in the original plot of I. E. 3. He was 34 years old and single.
Roger’s father, John Maguire, passed away prior to his son, all monies owed to Private Maguire were divided amongst his unmarried siblings, John, Patrick, Peter, Michael, Annie and Mary Maguire. He received the awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The C.W.G.C at the time of writing (2016) have erroneously listed the death of Private Maguire as May 27th 1917, the actual date of April 9th 1917 is confirmed by his Service Record and the Register of Soldiers Effects.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Roger McGuire is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04 and at Stanley St. Joseph's S135.03
