Church Square, Monaghan

Postmark: 4 March 1915 Newtownards

Dear Mother

Just a line to say we have got back here again. We had not as good a time as the last but it was very good. I will write you a long letter when I get settled down. You might write and let me know how youse are all getting on. We are shifted to Newtownards now.

I remain
Your loving son
John Adams

D Company 9 Batt RIF
Newtownards
Co. Down

150304 Monaghan 02

150304 Monaghan 01

Postcard shows Church Square, Monaghan. The large Dawson Obelisk stands on the left foreground. A cannon stands in front of it. The church, with a tall spire, stands at the right background. A number of figures are milling about near the cannon, and two horse drawn carts travel along the road.

See the location today on Google Maps.

Training: Clones-Ballybay-Cootehill-Monaghan-Castleblaney

D Company
9 Batt R I Fusiliers
Newtownards
Sunday 07.03.15

My Dear Mother

Just a line hoping it finds you in good health as this leaves me the same at present. I thought I would have had a letter from you before this. But I hope youse are all well. We had a very good time on the march. We trained it to Clones and stopped one night there. And I saw the place where [they] killed Flaughan. It is locked up since. We then trained it to Ball[y]bay and march Coot[e]hill and then to Monaghan where we stopped for 2 days and then to Castleblany and from that back here.

This is a wonderful place. I saw the place where that young fellow was killed. I think the step father will be hung. And I think he is guilty too.

I think this is all that I have time for now. Remember me to all at home.

I remain
Your loving son
John Adams

Write soon.

Newtownards: “It is simply lovely now like the summer time”

D Company
9 Batt R. I. Fus.
Newtownards
20.03.15

Dear Mother

Just a few lines to say I received your parcel this morning and what was inside. I thank you very much for it. The drawers is alright. I hope I may never worse [?]

The weather is greatly changed this last day. It is simply lovely now like the summer time. It does not be long in changing. I suppose the people are busy at their crops now. They have nearly all in about here now. It is a very early country about here. The ground is very sandy.

Tell Jimmy that I will write to him later and tell him all the news but I have not time now. He might write to me sometimes and tell me how he is getting on. Does ever he be at the Manse working now? I suppose he will put in the garden for Mr Jorrie this year. There’s many a change since last year this time but I hope they are all for the best. I hope the weather will keep like this for us going home. We don’t often get good weather for going home.

I think this is all now. I thank you again for your present.

I remain
Your loving son
John Adams

Jeannie: “I would just love to go home for Easter”

Postmark: Holywood, Co. Down, 25 March 1915

Dear Mother,

I hope you are better, we are all as usual for so far. Isn’t it lovely weather. I would just love to go home for Easter. It’s well for J getting, but I might get later on. Tell Annie I will write to her soon if I have time. Write soon and tell me how you are. Is J [illegible] well? With best love,

Your sincerely

Jeannie

Write soon.

150315 Holywood 02

150315 Holywood 01

Postcard showing: “Kenworthy’s Hydropathic Establishment, Southport”, a grand house.

See on Google StreetView.

Newtownards: “you may be sure that if we can get we will be home”

D Company
9 Batt R. I. Fusiliers
Newtownards
27.03.15

My Dear Mother

Just a line to say that I received your letter this morning. I am sorry that you are not getting better but maybe when the good weather you will be alright. I said when I wrote to Annie that we were going to be confined to camp, but I think that will not be to after Easter. And I am not giving it for truth but I think that we will be home from Friday to Monday but you need not be too much made up for we might not be home at all. But you may be sure that if we can get we will be home. I think that I will have as much £ and d as will bring me home.

I will write to you again before that and tell you wither I can get home or not. I think this is all now. We are having lovely weather now. I hope it will continue until after Easter.

I remain
Your loving son
John Adams