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Portstewart and
the First World War
Introduction
Robert Thompson
It has taken longer than I anticipated to research Portstewart War
Memorial. Many of the families are now no longer with us and a
number of appeals in the local papers have brought only a few
responses. A number of names that do not appear on Portstewart
War Memorial have been researched for various reasons and are included.
Portstewart War Memorial
was unveiled by Lady Craig on Tuesday 11th November 1924 in a touching
and impressive ceremony, R. A. C. Montagu was Chairman of the War
memorial committee. After the unveiling the names of the fallen
were read by Col. H. T. Lyle. The dedication ceremony was
performed by the Very Rev. R. G. S. King, M.A., Dean of Derry.
In order that the
ceremony could be carried out in peace and quiet the Main Street was
closed to all traffic and a huge crowd enjoyed a beautiful warm Autumn
day. |
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S/43162 Private John Taylor
2nd Bn. Seaforth Highlanders
Died of Wounds 3rd November
1918
Aged 25
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Born: Islandvarden, Coleraine
Son of James and Mary Taylor, Island Varden, Coleraine.
Awoingt British Cemetery, Plot 2, Row C,
Grave 6 |
Ch/298 (S) Private John
Gray
Chatham Bn. Royal Marine Light Infantry
Died of Wounds 3rd June
1915
Aged 29
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Born: Coleraine 15th August 1886
Son of James and Sarah Gray, Burnside, Portstewart
Enlisted: Belfast 22nd September 1914
Interred in Chatby War Memorial Cemetery at
Alexandria, Row M, Grave 162
Commemorated in Agherton Parish Church, Portstewart |
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14240 Sergeant John Hyland
Upson
5th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 16th August 1915
Aged 37 |
Born: Portstewart 6th June 1880
Son of Charles and Sarah Hyland Upson of Mount Oriel, Portstewart
Married
No known grave
Commemorated on the Helles Memorial
Commemorated in Agherton Parish Church |
Lieut., Acting Captain,
Henry Desmond O'Hara, D.S.O.
1st Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers
Killed in Action 30th August 1915
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Born: Ballyduff, Thomastown, Co.
Kilkenny 21st May 1892
Son of Cecilia and W. J. O'Hara
Buried in Military Cemetery in Gibralter |
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12870 Drummer Thomas Hayes
6th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers
Killed in Action 16th August 1915
Aged 25 |
Born: Portstewart 14th September
1889
Son of Robert and Sarah Hayes of Burnside, Portstewart
Enlisted: Coleraine August 1914
No known grave
Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Panels
178-180
Commemorated in Portstewart Presbyterian Church
Brother James also killed in war |
27599 Private James Hayes
10th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Died of Wounds 2nd July 1916
Aged 32 |
Born: Portstewart 28th September
1883
Son of Robert and Sarah Hayes of Burnside, Portstewart
Enlisted: Londonderry
Interred in Puchevillers Cemetery, Plot 1,
Row B, Grave 15
Commemorated in Portstewart Presbyterian
Church
Commemorated in Burnside Orange Hall
Brother Thomas also killed in war |
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12859 Private James Brennan
6th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers
Killed in Action 16th
August 1915
(spelt Brannon on CWGC)
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Born: Portrush
Enlisted: Coleraine
No known grave
Commemorated on Helles Memorial Panel 178 to
180. |
4476 Private William John
Kilpatrick
5th Bn. Connaught Rangers
Killed in Action 28th
August 1915
Aged 25 |
Born: 12th December 1888
Son of Robert and Eliza Kilpatrick, Tullaghmurry, Portstewart
No known grave
Commemorated on Helles Memorial
Commemorated Portstewart Presbyterian Church
Commemorated Burnside Orange Hall |
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Z/245 Chief Petty Officer
Thomas McLaughlin
Nelson Bn., Royal Naval Division
Killed in Action 28th
December 1915
Aged 27
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Born: 28th November 1888
Son of James McLaughlin of Glasgow
Six years service in R.N.V.R. and re-enlisted 17th September 1914
No known grave
Commemorated Helles Memorial
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3201 Private James Dumaresq
6th Bn. Royal Irish Regiment
Killed in Action 3rd April
1916
Aged 37
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Born: Portstewart 26th July 1878
Son of James Charles and Sarah Ann Dumaresq
Interred in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery,
Plot 1, Row A, Grave 2
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James Hayes
Thomas Hayes
James McCurdy
John Gray
William Kirkpatrick
Allan Martin
Aron McVicker
Edmund Scott
William Joseph Sinclair
John Sinclair
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ROLL OF HONOUR - Burnside
L.O.L. No. 721
The undersigned members of above Lodge - served their King &
Country in the Great World War 1914 - 1915 - 1916 - 1917 - 1918 |
Stephen Doran
James Doole
Thomas Martin
Peter Sheridan
Arthur Logan
Joseph McLean
Joseph Gilbert
James McCready
Henry Hamilton
Joseph Hamilton
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18638 Corporal William
Millar
109th Machine-Gun Corps (Infantry)
Killed in Action 8th May 1916
Aged 27
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Born: Portstewart 14th October
1888
Son of William and Jane Miller, Heathmount, Portstewart.
Enlisted Finner Camp, Co. Donegal
Interred in Authuille Cemetery, Row D, Grave
57
Commemorated St. Patrick's Parish Church,
Coleraine
Named on Portstewart War Memorial
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339201 Gunner Daniel Martin
Miller
68th and 35th Battery, 10th Bde., Canadian Field Artillery
Died 14th March 1918
Aged 32
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Born: Portstewart 15th March 1885
Son of William and Jane Miller of Heathmount, Portstewart.
Enlisted Canadian Forces at Vancouver 23rd August 1916.
Interred Abbeville Cemetery, Plot 3, Row G,
Grave 24.
Named on Portstewart War Memorial
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57548 L/Cpl. Samuel Smyth
150th Field Co. Royal Engineers
Died of Wounds 26th May 1916
Aged 32
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Born: Portstewart
Son of William and Mrs. Smyth
Enlisted Belfast September 1914
Worked Causeway Tramway Company
Interred Authuille Military Cemetery, Row D,
Grave 33.
Commemorated Holy Trinity Parish Church,
Portrush
other employees of the Tramway Company who died..
Charles Esdale KIA 1.7.16 Conductor
William Morrow KIA 1.7.16 Flagman
Hugh McCallum KIA 1.7.16 Flagman
Samuel Speers Died 7.7.16 Conductor
Isaac B. McAllister DOW 14.7.16 Flagman
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19870 Private Thomas Kyle
10th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 9th November 1916
Aged 21
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Born: Bellemont, Co. Londonderry
Son of Mr. & Mrs. Kyle, Roselick, Portstewart
Enlisted: Coleraine
Interred Pond Farm Cemetery, Row E, Grave 13
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Ply 17670 Private Henry
McGowan
Plymouth Contingent R.M.L.I., Royal Naval Division
Killed in Action 21st June
1916
Aged 17
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Born: Portstewart 22nd March 1899
(gave false DOB)
Son of Daniel and Hannah McGowan in Portstewart,
Enlisted: Belfast 11th November 1914
Interred Aix-Noulette Cemetery, Plot 1, Row
D, Grave 10
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19074 Private Samuel
Sinclair
10th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 5th
December 1917
Aged 21
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Born: Agherton
Son of William James and Ellen Sinclair, Cappagh, Portstewart.
Enlisted: Coleraine
Commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial at
Louverval.
Commemorated in Portstewart Presbyterian
Church
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Agherton Parish Memorial
Bells
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In Agherton Parish Church a
single bell existed and was renewed in 1885. Then after the
Great War a Memorial Peal was installed. The four bells are a
magnificent memorial to those of the congregation who gave their
lives. The bells are inscribed as follows.
1. Agherton Parish
Memorial Bells to the fallen of the Great War 1914-1918.
Portstewart Diocese of Connor, July 1918, Edward Russell Moncrief,
Rector. T.C.D. and St. John's, London.
2. War Declared with Germany, August 1914
3. Victor secured November 1918.
4. Peace signed June 1919. Halelujah, Amen.
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15303 L/Cpl. Robert Bacon
10th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 1st July
1916
Aged 27
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Born: Portstewart 23rd May 1889
Eldest son of Robert and Mary Jane Bacon of Agherton, Portstewart.
Married and with 2 children, Mary Irene and John
Enlisted: Portstewart
Commemorated Thiepval Memorial to the Missing
of the Somme
Commemorated Agherton Parish Church, Portstewart
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13775 Private William John
Spence
11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 2nd July
1916
Aged 35
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Born: Portstewart 13th March 1881
Son of James and Sarah Spence, Coleraine Road, Portstewart.
Enlisted: Belfast
Interred Connaught Cemetery
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1914 Pro Deo, Rege et
Patria 1918
To the Glory of God and in
Proud & Grateful Remembrance of the men from this parish, who gave
their lives for us in The Great War of 1914 - 1918
The Chime of Bells & This Tablet are Erected.
Their names are:-
Capt. John P. Charles, M.C.,
R.A.M.C.
Capt. T. H. Gatchell, M.C. British R.A.M.C.
Sergt. John Hyland Upson, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Corp. William Millar, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Lance Corp. Robert Bacon, Royal
Inniskilling Fusiliers
Gunner Daniel M. Millar, Canadian Artillery
Gunner James Boyd, Royal ? Artillery
Private Henry McGowan, Royal M. L. Infantry
Private Thomas James Finlay, M.M.R., Inniskilling
Fusiliers
Private John Gray, Naval Brigade
Private William John McGugan, Royal
Inniskilling Fusiliers
Private William Spence, Royal Inniskilling
Fusiliers
Private Thomas Kyle, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To the Glory of God and in
Grateful Remembrance of the men from this parish, who gave their lives
for us in The World War of 1939 - 1945
The Choir Stalls and This Tablet are Erected.
Sgt. Dallas Boyce,
R.A.F.
Rfn. John H. Nelson, R.U.R. (Airborne)
Sgt. J. Sheriff Kennedy,
R.A.F.
L/Cpl. William Wilson, R. Innis. Fus. |
6070 Private
William McMichael
3rd Bn. Irish Guards
Died of Wounds 31st January 1917
Aged 26 |
Born: Clydebank,
Glasgow
only son of Mrs. McMichael of Cromore, Portstewart
Enlisted: Coleraine 1914
Interred Paisley (Hawkhead) Cemetery, Row G,
Grave 3.
Commemorated Portstewart Presbyterian Church |
17998 L/Cpl.
James Kane
12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 21st March 1917
Aged 20 |
Born: Portrush
Enlisted: Ballymoney
Son of Mary Kane, Carnalridge Cottage, Portrush.
Interred in Locre Churchyard Cemetery, Plot
1, Row C, Grave 23
Commemorated Holy Trinity Parish Church,
Portrush |
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87614 Gunner John Vincent Frederick Leyden
276th Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
Killed in Action 10th April 1917
Aged 29
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Born: St. Giles,
Edinburgh. 10th April 1888
Enlisted: Glasgow
Married to Florence with one child.
Interred in Villers Station Cemetery, Plot 6,
Row J, Grave 17 |
43319 Gunner James Boyd
301 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery
Killed in Action 7th August 1917
Aged 28
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Born: Ballywillan
31st January 1887
Son of John and Sarah Jane Boyd (nee Dourish), Mullaghacall,
Portstewart
Enlisted: Coleraine August 1914
Interred in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Plot 1,
Row D, Grave 54 |
15517 Private
Thomas James Finlay MM
10th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 26th June 1917
Aged 23 |
Born: Ballyaghran
8th November 1893
Son of John and Rebecca Finlay, Burnside, Portstewart.
Enlisted: Portrush September 1914
Interred in Oostaverne Wood Cemetery,
Wytschaete, Plot 1, Row C, Grave 2 |
7911 Private
William John McGugan
2nd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Died of Wounds 2nd August 1917
Aged 33 |
Born: Aghadowey
Son of William McGugan, Aghadowey.
Married Adelaide Hutchinson and living at Cromore.
Enlisted: Omagh
Interred in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Plot
4, Row A, Grave 52.
A very sad story where not only William died
but also his wife and 2 young children. |
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4819 DA Deck Hand Alexander Williamson
RNR H.M.S. Prize
Killed in Action 14th August 1917
Aged 21
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Born: 26th April
1896
Son of Alexander and Susan Williamson, 154 Harmony Row, Govan,
Glasgow.
Grandfather lived in Portstewart.
Joined the Royal Navy 23rd January 1915
Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial |
Lieut/Temporary Captain James Harcourt
Cecil Gatchell, R.A.M.C., M.C., C. DE. G.
Attd. 11th Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment
Killed in Action 27th September 1917
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Born: Donemore
Son of Rev. Dr. James H. Gatchell and Lousia Josephine who had a
summer residence in Tullaghmurry, Portstewart.
Interred Bedford House Cemetery, Zillebeke,
Belgium, Enclosure 4, Plot 6, Row D. Grave 11
Commemorated on Plaque in Earlsgift Parish
Church |
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6543 Private Leslie Ellis Mann
1st Bn. Australian Infantry
Killed in Action 4th October 1917
Aged 28
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Born: January 1889
Drumlamph, Castledawson.
Son of Henry and Mrs. Mann.
Enlisted: 19th April 1916 N.S.Wales
No known grave
Commemorated on Menin Gate
His name does not appear on Portstewart War Memorial but as he was
living in Portstewart for a considerable time before the start of the
Great War I felt that his story should be included. R.T. |
7344 Private Manus McFadden
6th Bn. Connaught Rangers
Killed in Action 20th November 1917
Aged 17
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Born: Kilmacrennan,
Co. Donegal
Son of Michael and Nancy McFadden, Golan, Milford, Co. Donegal.
Enlisted: Coleraine
Interred in Croisilles Railway Cemetery, Plot
1. Row D, Grave 18
Worked on Portstewart
his brother Daniel was also killed in action,
he had been living in Scotland, Daniel is buried in Meath Cemetery,
Plot 2, Row C, Grave 6. |
Lieut. John
James Percival Charles M.C.
Attd. 1/1 Hertfordshire Regiment
Died of Wounds 6th October 1917
Aged 33 |
Born: Portstewart
1884
Son of Professor John James and Henrietta Madeline Charles, Crescent,
Portstewart.
Joined R.A.M.C. in August 1914
Interred in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Plot
7, Row A, Grave 29
Memorial Tablet in Agherton parish Church
inscribed:-
'In loving memory of J. J. Charles, M.D.,
D.Sc., died 10th August 1912 and his sons, Captain Godfrey E. Charles,
Indian Medical Services, died 28th September 1907, and Captain J. P.
Charles, M.C., R.A.M.C., died at Boulogne 6th October 1917 of wounds
received at the third Battle of Ypres.' |
2998 Sergeant
David McCandless
31st Bn. Australian Infantry
Died of Wounds 29th September 1918
Aged 42 |
Born: Portstewart
2nd June 1876
Son of David and Nancy McCandless, Warren Cottage, Portstewart
Enlisted: 5th February 1916 N.S. Wales
Commemorated at Villers Brettoneux
Commemorated in Portstewart Presbyterian Church
David standing |
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28182 Private James McCurdy
9th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Killed in Action 29th March 1918
Aged 31
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Born: Agherton 21st
February 1887
Son of James and Mary McCurdy, Mullaghacall, Portstewart
Enlisted: Portstewart
No known grave
Commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.
Commemorated in Portstewart Presbyterian Church
Commemorated in the Orange Hall, Burnside |
297140 Aircraftman Robert John Burke
Royal Air Force
Died Pneumonia 10th October 1918
Aged 19
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Born: 1899
Son of William John and Susan Burke who lived at the Tramway Depot,
Portstewart.
Volunteered for Service September 1918
Buried Agherton Cemetery
Commemorated Portstewart Presbyterian Church |
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40838 L/Cpl. William James Reid
1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in Action 14th October 1918
Aged 25
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Born: Portstewart
1893
Son of Daniel and Margaret Ann Reid, Church Street, Portstewart
Enlisted: Antrim
Interred in Dadizeele New British Cemetery,
Plot 1, Row D, Grave 17
Commemorated in Portstewart Presbyterian
Church |
23171 2nd Cpl. Thomas Orr Simpson Shields
49th Air Line Section, Royal Engineers
Died Influenza 8th December 1918
Aged 25 |
Son of Robert and Ellen Shields, Carnalbanagh, Portstewart
Interred in Dar-es-Salaam Cemetery, East
Africa, Plot 7, Row D, Grave 3 |
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Chaplain Walter Philip Montagu
22nd Brigade R.G.A.
Died of Wounds 31st October 1918
Aged 32
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Born: 7th May 1886
Son of Robert Acheson Cromie Montagu, D.D., Lieut Commander, Royal
navy, of Cromore, Portstewart.
Interred in Awoingt Cemetery, Plot 3, Row A,
Grave 1. |
Lieut. Alexander Cyril Montagu
Royal Navy, H.M.S. Bulwark
Killed in Action 26th
November 1914
Aged 24
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Born: Portstewart 17th September
1890
Joined: Royal Navy 15th May 1908
Commemorated on Portsmouth Naval Memorial,
Panel 1. |
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2nd Lieut. Joseph Doherty
113th Heavy Bty. R.G.A.
Killed in Action 3rd July 1916
Aged 34
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Son of Charles and
Fanny Doherty, Coleraine
Interred in Couin British Cemetery, Plot 2,
Row A, Grave 5
Commemorated in St. John's R. C. Chapel,
Killowen |
Edward
Martin
20th April 1884
The reason for Edward Martin
being named on the War Memorial has not become clear. There is no
record of his death in action in the Commonwealth War Graves site.
Neither is he named in 'Soldiers Died' nor in Irelands Memorial
Records. This leads me to believe that although he had served his
country in the Great War he was not killed in action but more likely to
have died from war wounds after the war was over.
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Private John
McFall
6th Bn. Black Watch
Killed in Action 25th July 1916 |
Born: Camus,
Coleraine
Son of Robert John and Mrs. McFall
Enlisted: Perth
Interred in Flat Iron Copse Cemetery
there
is extensive information on this young man in Robert's book |
Robert John and Mrs.. McFaul/McFall |
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THANKS
Various people have helped
with the project and need to be thanked.
They include...
Steven Lockerbie of
Johnstone in Scotland
Alan Tuppen of Leicester
Keith Haines of Belfast
Steve Law of London
Jimmy Taylor of Wexford
Pat Gariepy of the USA
Brian Hoggard of Somme -
Normandy Tours
If there are others that I
have not mentioned it is not intentional and I hope they will
understand.
Robert Thompson |
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