August | 1915 | Letters from the Front

Sunday 1 August, 1915 by John Adams

Lord Kitchener was down inspecting us on Tuesday

No date or postmark [suggest probably start of August 1915 after his thumb strain had healed! ]

Dear Mother,

Just a PC to let you know that I received your parcel alright. Many thanks for them. We are getting on alright. Lord Kitchener was down inspecting us on Tuesday asn is well pleased with the Ulster Division. I do not think we will be long here. We will be going up to Aldershot shortly. I also got the paper. There was a Belfast W. News came to us. I did not see the Markethill meeting in it. I am sending Jimmy this cutting from the Lurgan Mail. He may like to see it. This is all now. I have not time to write a letter. Excuse scribble.

J. Adams

Postcard shows:

“For “King, Queen and Country.” A Soldier’s Letter.”

Photographs of King George V and Queen Mary.

“To My Truest of Pals.

“My Mother.””

A poem set at Seaford Camp, and signed from “John”.

Sunday 15 August, 1915 by John Adams

Seaford: “I am sorry this is all I have time for”

Postmark: Chyngton Camp B.O., Seaford, date unclear, 1915
[estimated date based on a hunch]

Dear Mother

Just a pc hoping it finds youse all in good health. As it leaves me in the same here at present. I had a letter from Tommie [?] today. He seems to be all right. I am sorry this is all I have time for. Will write later on, and tell youse all the news. We are having fine warm weather now. Hoping it continues. […unclear sentence…]

Postcard shows: “My thoughts are with the dear ones at home”: A greatcoated soldier at camp, sitting on a box, smoking his pipe, is thinking of his wife and young baby at home.

in 1915 - Training / England / Postcard 0 comments

Monday 16 August, 1915 by John Adams

Seaford: “There is nothing strange here, but I will write later on”

Postmark:Chyngton Camp B.O., Seaford, 16 August 1915

[There is an additional mark on the front of the card, showing “11 AM 17 AU”, but the location is not visible].

Dear Jennie,

I received your letter this morning. There is nothing strange here, but I will write later on. Hoping you will have a good time at home. This is all I have time for now.

J. Adams

Postcard shows: “The Esplanade, looking east, Seaford” Pedestrians in Edwardian dress promenade along the front, while some rest on the adjacent benches. A shingle beach, scattered with small boats, fills the right hand side, and a terrace of houses lines the road on the left. In the distance are the headlands and white cliffs of Seaford Head.

See this scene on Google StreetView.

in 1915 - Training / England / Postcard 0 comments

Wednesday 18 August, 1915 by John Adams

Seaford: “I was up in Brighton on Saturday. It surely is a lovely place”

[For God, King & For Country]
[YMCA]
[HM Forces on Active Service]

D Company
9th RIF
Seaford Camp
Sussex
Sunday 18.08.1915

Dear Mother

Just a line to say I received your letter alright. Hoping this will find youse all in good health as it leaves me in the same at present. I am sorry that I was so long in writing but indeed I thought I had written. I hope Jennie will have a good time at home and get good weather. I am sure she has need of a rest. You can tell her I will write to her as soon as I get time perhaps tomorrow. Well Dear Mother I need not buoy you up with false hope, but if every thing goes well you may have a chance of seeing us again before we leave England. Some of the U. D. [Ulster Division?] has got it already. 7 days leaves. But when our turn comes I do not know. It may not for a month yet but it would mean 4 clear days at home. Of course you need not depend on it for so many things can happen. Well I got my photos taken but they were that much changed that you do not know me from someone else. So I will not get them taken until we go home and then get them taken right. For these got the five [?]

I got the stamps many thanks for them. I am sorry to hear of you been sick but I hope you are better by this time. I was up in Brighton on Saturday. It surely is a lovely place. They Promenade is 5 miles from one end to the other. The lights goes out there at 8 o’clock and the place is in total darkness afterwards.

Tell Annie and Jimmy that I will write to them all. Jimmy might write to me some times. This is a photo for Jimmy of all the units in the 36th Division represented. I think this is all now.

I remain
Your loving son
John Adams

Excuse this scribble in haste.

This little brooch is for Annie. I will get you something later on.

in 1915 - Training / 2010 upload / England / Letter 0 comments

Thursday 26 August, 1915 by Annie Adams

Annie: “You might meet me at Gorawood”

Postmark: lost

Crumlin, 26-8-15

Dear Jenny

I will be going on two train[s] leaving Crumlin. I think I will get the train that arrives in Newry about four. You might meet me at Gorawood [sic] for I have some things to carry which will be heavy. I will be going on Friday.

Good Bye

Annie

Postcard shows: “The Sun Dial, Langford Lodge, Crumlin”. A view across some formal gardens. A sun dial, supported by cherubs, stands in the foreground.

in 1915 - Training / Ireland / Postcard 0 comments