T. Davidson: “Just a line to say I have arrived here & in good health”

Postmark: Omagh, 5 November 1915

Dear Aunt

Just a line to say I have arrived here & in good health. Will write later. Hoping all is in good health.

From your ever loving nephew,

THD

151105 Omagh 02

151105 Omagh 01

Postcard shows:

“Second Presbyterian Church, Omagh”, a view of the stone church, with pinnacles and an open belfry. The bell is missing.

Now known as Trinity Presbyterian Church: Google StreetView

T.H. Davidson: Termination of Service

7388 L/Cpl T.H. Davidson was discharged from the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on termination of his engagement on 6 November 1915, at the age of 32.

Thomas H Davidson was Mary Adams’ nephew who grew up in Tullylish near Gilford, Co. Down. He enlisted in the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1902, serving in South Africa (1903), Egypt (1903-05), Crete (1907-08) and Malta (1908-09). He returned back to the UK in 1909, and was transferred to the Army Reserve.

On outbreak of war, he was mobilized at Omagh (the Inniskillings’ depot) on 6 August 1914, and sent to camp at Lough Swilly where he was posted  to 3rd Battalion on 19th August. He disembarked in France with the 2nd Battalion as part of the B.E.F. on 27 August 1914 when he was appointed as L/Cpl. He was wounded in France on 7 November 1914. He remained in France until 31 October 1915.

Thomas Davidson joined the 2nd “Skins” the day after the Battle of Le Cateau when the battalion were fast retreating from the advancing Germans. The battalion were then involved in the Battles of the Marne, the Aisne and Messines 1914. In 1915 they were actively involved in the Battle of Festubert in May and the Battle of Loos in September. Davidson was likely to have been involved in most of these engagements.

He was posted back to the Depot on 1 November 1915 before being “discharged on termination of his first period of engagement” on 6 November 1915. He had served for 13 years.

Notes

Up until the introduction of conscription by the passing of the Military Service Act of 1916, a man who had served under a Regular or Territorial engagement and who reached the normal expiry of that engagement could and would be discharged from the army. This even applied to experienced men who were serving in the trenches at the time. The man was known as “time expired”. (thanks to the Long Long Trail for this information).

France: “Nothing but the overwhelming force of men will ever bring the war to a close”

19.11.1915

My Dear Mother

I have a few minutes to myself so I thought I would spend them in writing home. Sometimes I have not time to write a letter but I send a card every week. I got you parcel alright. Many thanks for what you sent to me. But as I said in my card you need not send anything out here in the line of clothes for we get plenty of things out here in the line of shirts or underwear. I hope you are got alright by his time. I think you are felting [fretting] too much and it won’t do you any good for I am alright out here. And if anything happens to me you will have the satisfaction of knowing that I have done whatever I could to keep the Germans back and I think for each man that falls out here there should be two sent out. Nothing but the overwhelming force of men will ever bring the war to a close. And I wonder that anyone can sit at home that can come out here and see this war going on and does not help to bring it to a finish.

I suppose Jimmy is busy every day. Is all the potatoes is all out [?] by this time. The weather is got very wet out here now. Was Tommy up yet or is he home? I suppose he will hardly stop on. He has done his share. When everyone has done as much the war is over. Jack is in good health. Him and I are still together. I think this is all I have tome for now. Hoping it will find all at home in good health as it leaves me in the same here at present.

I remain
Your loving son
John Adams

Field Postcard

NOTHING is to be written on this side except
the date and signature of the sender. Sentences
not required may be erased. If anything else is
added the post card will be destroyed.

[Postage must be prepaid on any letter or post card
addressed to the sender of this card.]

I am quite well.

I have been admitted into hospital

sick

wounded

and am going on well.

and hope to be discharged soon.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your

letter dated
26 November 1915
telegram  ,,
 
parcel     ,,
 

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you

lately

for a long time.

Signature only
Date
29th November 1915