Algie, James

Battery Sergeant Major

Royal Field Artillery

Died of disease on Monday 15 October 1928 (aged 57)

Buried:

Movilla Cemetery, Newtownards, Co Down

Commemorated:

Newtownards and District War Memorial

Brother of Able Seaman Robert Algie 

BIOGRAPHY

Battery Sergeant Major James Algie is commemorated on Newtownards and District War Memorial.  The Unveiling and Dedication Ceremony was held on Saturday 26 May 1934 and the organising committee of the day decided to include the names of ex-servicemen who died up to that date from what they considered to be war related causes, whether as a result of wounds or disease.

James Algie was born around 1871 in Scotland and he was a son of John Algie (born in Scotland) and Mary Algie (nee Connor, born in Co Down) who were married on 15 April 1870 in Albert Street Presbyterian Church Belfast.  John Algie was a son of James Algie, a block printer.  Mary Connor was a daughter of Robert Connor, a labourer.

The Algie family came originally from Scotland (pre-1870) with a company that was setting up a linen print-works in Newtownards.

The Algie family lived at 31 James Street, Newtownards.

John Algie worked as a print cutter and he and Mary had at least seven children:

James (born around 1871 in Scotland)

Margaret Craig (born 21 February 1874 in Collinwood, Belfast)

Elizabeth (Lizzie, born 27 June 1876 in Dunmurry, Drumbeg)

Mary (Polly, born around 1880 in Scotland)

Ellenore (Nellie, born around 1882 in Scotland)

Robert (born 23 September 1884 in Greencastle, Belfast)

John Craig (born 17 January 1887 in Ballyduff, Belfast)

Their mother Mary died of nephritis on 9 August 1910 in James Street, Newtownards (aged 62).

Their father John died of heart disease on 20 July 1917 in Ann Street, Newtownards (aged 68).

In civilian life James Algie worked as a print cutter.

James Algie and Elizabeth Adair were married on 27 January 1903 in Second Newtownards Presbyterian Church and they had three children:

John (born 15 May 1904 at 81 Cosgrove Street, Belfast)

Joseph Norman (born 18 November 1906 in Balfour Street, Newtownards)

An unnamed son (born prematurely 20 June 1908 in Mark Street, Newtownards; died 20 June 1908 aged 11 hours)

Elizabeth Algie died on 26 June 1908 (aged 33), six days after giving birth; she had been suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis for six months.

James Algie and Mary Finlay were married on 27 March 1909 in Newington Presbyterian Church Belfast and they had four children:

James (born 3 January 1910 in Mark Street, Newtownards)

Samuel (born 19 August 1911 in James Street, Newtownards)

William

Eleanor (Nellie, born 10 July 1916 in Balfour Street, Newtownards)

During the Great War James Algie served as a Battery Sergeant Major with the Royal Field Artillery in India.

It was there that he contracted malaria and was invalided home.

Battery Sergeant Major James Algie was discharged from the army on medical grounds and he was 57 when he died on 15 October 1928 in the County Infirmary, Downpatrick.  At that time his wife and family were living at 4 Balfour Street, Newtownards.

Battery Sergeant Major James Algie is commemorated on Newtownards and District War Memorial.